6 DIY Renovation Jobs A Professional Can Do Better
Are you trying to renovate on a budget and considering DIY?
There’s no doubt about it – homeowners who are DIY renovators are a brave breed. More often than not, they’re taking on projects that are way out of their comfort zone and require skills (and tools) that they may not have.
Some homeowners are under the impression that they can do a professional-quality DIY renovation job themselves. In some cases, this may be true. There’s also something very satisfying about completing DIY house renovations yourself.
However, there are certain renovation tasks that are best left to the pros. Here is a list of five DIY renovation jobs that are better done by a professional.
A DIY home renovation gone wrong can cause all sorts of problems
Have you ever seen those DIY home renovation shows and thought, “I could do that”? And you realise that ome renovations are a lot more complicated than they seem on TV.
A quick Google search on how to plan a DIY home renovation will reveal tens to hundreds of helpful resources — but without experience, expertise, and a team of professionals, these DIY renovation ideas can only go so far.
Too often, people try to take on too much, biting off more than they can chew in terms of both time and money. All sorts of things can go wrong, from using the wrong tools to making measurements errors. And even if the project is completed without any major mishaps, it’s often the case that the end result falls short of expectations. As a result, the quality of the work suffers, and instead of solving problems, they end up creating new ones.
So while a DIY bathroom renovation or DIY kitchen renovation can be a great way to save money and add value to your home, they may not always be worth the risk.
Here are 6 DIY renovation jobs that are better left to the experts:
1. Installing New Flooring
The slightest miscalculation can lead to warped or uneven floors, and the results are usually not pretty. Professional floor installers have the expertise and equipment needed to get the job done quickly and correctly. They’ll also be able to help you choose the right type of flooring that’s within your set bathroom or kitchen renovation cost.
2. Painting
Getting your paint job right is critical especially if you are gunning for modern bathroom renovations or a chic motif for any part of your house.
It’s a huge hassle to have to cover all of your furniture and keep everything clean while you’re trying to paint. And it’s tough to get a really professional finish when you’re doing it yourself. Unless you’re using high-quality paint and materials, the finished product is often not as good as it would be if a professional did it.
Your walls are all around you — the aversion you have staring at your badly-painted walls on the daily can easily overwhelm you.
3. Heating & cooling
Trying to replace or repair an Heating and cooling system yourself could end up with an inefficient system that doesn’t work well and costs you more in the long run, or you could even damage your home and endanger your household members.
Professionals have the experience and knowledge to ensure that your Heating and cooling system is up to code and working properly.
4. Installing New Cabinets
Cabinet installation is a tricky business. There are so many things that can go wrong – from incorrect measurements to faulty hardware. It also involves a lot of heavy lifting and manoeuvring, which can be difficult (and dangerous) for someone who isn’t experienced
So if you’re not confident in your ability to do the job correctly, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
5. Replacing Roofing
Roofing replacement is a dangerous job. It requires climbing up on top of your house, balancing on steep roofs, and working in all kinds of weather conditions.
It’s also a job that can be easily done wrong. If you don’t seal the roof properly, you’ll end up with leaks. If you don’t install the shingles correctly, they’ll blow off in the next storm. And if you don’t slope the roof properly, water will pool and eventually cause damage to your home.
6. Renovating a Bathroom or Kitchen
Bathrooms and kitchens are often subjected to a lot of wear and tear, and dealing with plumbing and electrical work can be tricky. It’s also important to have the proper permits in order to avoid fines or worse, having your renovations shut down by your local authorities.
A DIY bathroom renovation cost may be lower on the get-go. However, if something goes wrong – like a pipe leak or tile crack – you could end up spending even more money fixing mistakes than if you had hired a professional in the first place.
In short, it’s always best to consult with a professional before starting any major renovation project.
Check our renovation before and after gallery
Better renovation outcome with the professionals at McColl Cabinetmakers
We understand that doing a DIY home renovation on a budget can be an enticing prospect, especially with today’s economic climate. However, without the proper training and experience, you may end up with a botched job that will require even more work (and money) to fix.
The professionals at McColl Cabinetmakers will take care of everything from design to installation so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your beautiful new kitchen (or bathroom or office…) without any of the hassle.
