Last week I provided some guidelines about when a DIY home renovation is inadvisable, particularly when safety is an issue. This week I’ll provide you with some more tips.
Image: Song_sing / Flickr
Water
Someone I know recently decided to excavate their partially filled basement. This person didn’t think through the entire process, and didn’t realize that they were digging under the water table. At one point, they just dug too deep and water began rushing into the basement. No one was hurt, but the resulting damage significantly increased the cost of the renovation.
Even if you aren’t doing anything that involved, water can be a problem. Improperly fixing a pipe can lead to a leak, which can cause mould and rot. Some things that may not seem like a problem for water – such as installing a skylight – could cause major water damage if the joint between the skylight and the roof is not sealed, causing rainwater to seep into your roof. If you think there is a potential for water damage, it might be a good idea to call in the professionals.
Expensive Mistakes
Sometimes, the cost of a mistake might be too high. Paint, tiles, wood and nails are relatively cheap to throw out when you make a mistake – and you will make plenty unless you are experienced at the work. But what if you make a mistake cutting a marble countertop? And if you order the wrong kitchen cabinets? Sometimes the possibility of making these mistakes is just big enough that it might be a good idea to call the experts.
Big Projects
Whenever you need to do a project that is very large and involved, such as redoing your entire kitchen, you should think about using experts. It will not only save you time, but it will also help you avoid those hidden mistakes that will cause massive damage over time.
If you still want to get involved and potentially save some money, think about getting the experts to do the big stuff, and then pitching in when and where you can. There’s plenty of finishing touches that you can do yourself, and that you will likely find more satisfying because you can more easily master them.
Heleen Jacobsen
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.infomarketgroup.com
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