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The idea of doing it yourself is a tempting one - it promises to save you money, give you a sense of pride and accomplishment from mastering a new skill, and puts you firmly in the driving seat. However, the risks of getting it wrong and ending up with more costly repairs down the line are a very real one - and one that can quickly turn a potential saving into a significant expense. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of determining which DIY home repair projects are safe and practical, and when to call in the experts to ensure your safety and the overall quality of the work.
If you're considering DIY home repairs and improvements, let's be clear: it can be a lot of fun! Not only will you be saving money on labour costs, but you'll also be gaining an understanding of how your house works, which is a skill that's invaluable for future maintenance. Plus, completing a project from start to finish yourself can be a real confidence booster.
The first thing to note is that not all tasks are created equal when it comes to DIY - some are a walk in the park, while others are far too complex for the average homeowner. But don't worry, there are plenty of minor home repairs that require very little in the way of tools or knowledge, making them perfect for beginners to build their DIY confidence.
Painting the Place: Let's face it - painting is one of the most accessible DIY projects out there. Whether you're looking to slap a fresh coat of paint on the walls of a single room, do a bit of exterior painting, or touch up a few scuffs, it's something you can do yourself, and do it well. Just grab some supplies and watch a few videos on YouTube to get the hang of it.
Furniture Assembly: Assembling new furniture and moving kitchen appliances are two examples of straightforward tasks. You don't need to be a DIY expert to get it right - grab a quick instructional video and you're good to go!
Drilling and Fixing Holes: Small holes in the wall or minor cracks can be easily fixed with a DIY drywall repair kit. It's a common problem that can be resolved with minimal effort.
Swapping Out Fixtures: Swapping out a shower head, replacing cabinet handles or installing new curtain rods are all tasks that require very little in the way of tools or knowledge. In fact, if you've got a bit of DIY nous, you'll find it's something you can do yourself with ease.
Gardening and Yard Work: And let's not forget about basic yard maintenance - mowing the lawn and a bit of deck cleaning are just a couple of examples of DIY tasks that are easy to do yourself.
These tasks are not exactly thrilling, but they are easy to do yourself and will not put your safety or your home at risk. Even if you do mess it up a bit, the cost to fix it later will be a fraction of what it would be if you'd called in a professional in the first place.
Now, we're not saying that DIY is always the way to go - specific tasks are best left to the experts. If you're dealing with electrical work, plumbing, or structural repairs, it's a no-brainer: call in a handyman. Your safety and the long-term health of your home are just too important to risk getting it wrong.
Let's be clear - electrical work is a minefield. Dealing with electricity is a serious business, and it's not something that the average homeowner can tackle with confidence. The risks are just too significant - from electrical shock to fire and everything in between. If you're thinking about DIY electrical work, our advice is to think again.*
Installing Switches and Outlets: Installing a new switch might seem like a small job, but the risks of getting the wiring wrong are significant: you could short-circuit the whole system or create a fire hazard inside your walls. Don't replace a switch unless you are sure how to disconnect the power and have a basic understanding of wiring.
Major Electrical Upgrades: When it comes to the main service panel, new circuits, or extending electrical work - forget about it: hire a licensed electrician. The potential for missteps is just too great. This is one of those situations where a pro will come out on top every time.
Getting plumbing repairs wrong can quickly lead to significant water damage, which is among the costliest repairs an older home will face.
Replacing Fixtures (Advanced): Replacing a simple faucet is one thing, but installing a new shower system or rerouting a drain line? That's a whole different story. Leave that kind of complicated stuff to a plumber. And if you have a slow leak inside the walls or under the floor, that's just one more thing to deal with.
Drain and Sewer Repairs: When you have a blockage that requires specialized tools or work on the main sewer line, don't attempt to tackle it yourself. Let the pros handle it so you don't end up with a massive mess and a bill that's through the roof.
Drain and Sewer Repairs: Plumbing is a delicate system, so leave it to the pros to sort out when things go wrong.
When a project gets down to the core structure of your house, you can forget about hiring a handyman or trying to get by with unskilled contractors.
Removing Walls: Before you start ripping down walls, you need to figure out if they're load-bearing - and that requires some profound knowledge or the help of a professional contractor. Mess this up, and you could end up with a roof collapse or worse.
Roof Repairs: Climbing on a roof is already a pretty hairy thing to do, but if you do it wrong, you'll not only put yourself at risk, but you could also void your home insurance - and that leads to serious leaks that can cause water damage to the floor and walls inside your house. If you need to replace shingles or undertake major roof renovations, hire a professional to handle the work.
Deck Repairs and Posts: If you're talking about major deck repairs, especially when it comes to replacing support posts or structural joists, you're going to need some serious carpentry skills and a good understanding of building codes. Get it wrong, and you've got a deck that's a safety risk.
Before you decide whether to hire in or go it alone, run through this checklist to ensure you're making the right call.
If your project is a simple visual job and doesn't pose any risk to the structure of your house, then maybe it is a DIY opportunity - like painting a room or assembling a bit of furniture. The DIY advantage lies in saving cash and using your own basic tools.
If the task is complicated and there's a high risk of injury or property damage, though, now its time to bring in the pros. This includes any plumbing or electrical work beyond simple tasks and structural issues, such as removing walls or performing major roof repairs. The pro advantage includes specialized tools, licensing, insurance, and expertise required to navigate building codes.
For example, if you need to replace windows, hire a specialist.
If your decision leans toward the pro side for any of the factors above, it is actually cheaper and safer in the long run to hire a licensed contractor.
The desire to save a buck often means homeowners are tempted to give DIY repairs a go - but even when you do hire a handyman, there are ways to cut the cost and get good work done.
Get Ready to Save Time: Get the easy tasks out of the way before you call in the pros. If you're hiring a painter, do the masking and move the furniture yourself. If they're replacing a device, disconnect the old one. Pay them for their expertise, not for the simple tasks you can handle yourself.
Take Charge of the Shopping: Buy all materials (paint, flooring, fixtures) yourself. This way you get to control the costs and the quality of the supplies - and you get access to the discounts that are floating around in your community.
Get a Bundle Deal: Group your minor repairs and tasks and have them done all at once by a handyman. It's usually cheaper than calling them out multiple times.
It all comes down to being honest with yourself when deciding whether to go pro or DIY on your home repairs. Be realistic about what you know, what tools you have, and what risks you're willing to take. For the small stuff like painting the walls, putting together some furnitur,e or doing some basic deck maintenance, DIY is a great option - and you can find plenty of helpful videos online to watch and learn from.
But for electrical work, major plumbing, structural repairs, or big home renovation projects - you'd be crazy to go it alone. Watch some videos, get some advice from friends, but when in doubt, call a professional and be done with it.
To learn more about taking on bigger DIY projects, check out our detailed tutorials or get in touch for a free consultation on your next project. We have a community of homeowners who share their knowledge and resources to help you plan your improvements.
And if you're looking for a good contractor, your best bet is to ask some friends for a reference - that's the best thing you can do to keep your home in top shape.
