7 Home Improvement Projects That Require a Professional
You’ve got a vision, but do you really have the experience needed to pull off that DIY home project? It may save you some money, but sometimes NOT hiring a professional can cost you a lot more. When it comes to bringing out the hammer and nails, there are certain projects that you’re best leaving to the professionals.
In this article, we go through seven home improvement projects we really think should be something you call a professional to take care of.
Roof work: the risks associated with working at elevated levels
When it comes to working on the roof of your house, it is probably best to leave this job to the pros for a variety of reasons. First of all, it is extremely risky and dangerous. Professionals know the safety procedures to be followed when repairing a roof. Embarking on this kind of job without prior experience poses a serious risk to an amateur’s safety.
When you work with a professional, you are essentially ensuring that the risk of damage to you yourself and the structure will be reduced. You’re also increasing the likelihood that the final outcome will better meet your expectations.
You want your roof to be strong and long-lasting, facing environmental impact without damage. Leave the ladder in the garage and get a qualified roofing company to protect your home from the elements.
Why you should not attempt to do your own brickwork
Even though laying stone or brick for building a wall appears to be fairly easy (and even fun), masonry is something that should be left to a professional. When it comes to brick or stone alignment, a professional mason will be able to guarantee a flawless, long-lasting, and sturdy construction, a task that is extremely demanding and challenging for a novice.
Masons will not only be aware of the correct method, but they will also assist you in selecting the appropriate material for your house, whether it be brick, concrete, stone, or something else entirely. The majority of the time, DIY masonry work results in bricks not being aligned properly and uneven walls.
Even worse, masonry work that has been incorrectly finished can be compromised, increasing the danger of a collapse. For this reason, it is best to work with a professional, not only for the sake of the structure’s safety but also for the aesthetic value of your home.
The risks, laws, and regulations associated with electricity
We absolutely recommend getting professional help for installing a light fixture, outlets or ceiling fans. In the event that electrical lines need to be repaired, replaced, or otherwise interfered with, it is crucial to work with a licensed electrician, regardless of the renovation job in process.
First and foremost, it is essential to point out that it is against the law in many places in the US to perform electrical work without a professional. Secondly, electricians will be familiar with all of the electrical standards your home as to follow – those codes and permits are there for a reason. They will also be aware of how to properly manage potentially hazardous electrical components.
When trying to do electrical work yourself, you run the risk of causing damage to your electrical network and even of electrocution. Because of the nature of this job, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Just call a pro. Please!
Plumbing: the reasons why it is vital to hire a professional
We’ve all had to take care of the odd stopped up pipe now and again, but when it comes to moving plumbing around for the sake of a remodel, it’s best to call a licensed plumber to do the job.
Moving a bathroom, or even just the shower, bathtub, or toilet from one side of the room to another can be a bigger job than you may realize. Doing it wrong can result in slow leaks in the walls and floors that can cause massive and expensive damage over time.
As is the case with any projects involving any renovation, it is essential to understand which local laws and codes need to be followed with a plumbing job. Like with electricity, dealing with water can have major consequences on the integrity and safety of your home.
Wall demolition requires specialized understanding
It is important to use extreme caution when working on demolition projects. The destruction of a load bearing wall can cause extreme damage to the house structure if not done properly. Removing a load bearing wall is definitely not something you want to do on our own.
Due to the fact that these walls are responsible for supporting the weight of your entire house, it is extremely important to use a qualified contractor. A true professional will understand what type of material to use (and which to avoid), how to avoid cutting electrical lines or plumbing and how to properly support the structure while your load bearing wall is being removed.
Even when having access to a blueprint of the building, it can be rather challenging to determine which walls are load bearing. Therefore, it is necessary for them to be correctly detected and removed by a professional contractor with many years experience with this type of project.
Installing or fixing windows and doors highly influences the overall look of your building
The installation of doors and windows may appear to be a simple process; yet, this task can actually be rather challenging. Sealing the windows or doors is not easy, and if not done right, can cause plenty of issues. In the long run, the lack of proper sealing will allow an excessive amount of air and water to enter your home. This means that not only will you be uncomfortable, but your monthly energy expenses will also increase!
Don’t take the chance of doing this work on your own. Instead, we recommend that you get in touch with professionals that specialize in doors and windows. While window replacement can be a big up-front expense, with the rising costs of energy, you’ll save big in the long run.