When to Hire a Professional – Why DIY Home Repairs Can Sometimes Make Damage Worse. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Restoration and Remodeling.
When to Hire a Professional
The upkeep of your house and property is an ongoing, never-ending job. And chances are, you have become quite handy with a hammer and wrench. But while some Do-It-Yourself projects are fairly easy, others can be quite a challenge, and that’s when it’s time to hire a pro.
Videos and tutorials may be helpful for simple tasks, but the people who produce those videos are usually professionals and very experienced at what they do. Saving money is always a priority, but inexperienced DIYers may end up spending more money to remedy the “solution” to the original problem.
The key? Recognize the truth of what you can do, cannot do, and when you should immediately hand it off to a professional contractor (especially if you are remodeling your home to increase its property value).
Structural Repairs
House structural repairs include fixing load-bearing walls, joists, beams, trusses, chimneys, staircases, foundation walls and slabs, roofing, and crawl spaces. Damage to any of these components can get worse over time.
Some house projects are easier and won’t bring the house down, but DIY repairs of structural damage can be dangerous.
A crack in the wall may look like it just needs a simple patch, but it could be a sign of water seeping through the foundation or perhaps the foundation is settling (leading to more cracks). An inexperienced DIYer may fix the visible crack but not address the overall causes of the problem. Widespread structural damage isn’t easy to detect if you don’t know where to look.
In coastal areas, construction risks brought on by hurricanes, surging waves, erosion, flood waters, humidity, and salt water—just to name a few— are best evaluated by a professional contractor.
Painting
Sure, refreshing your bedroom with a new coat of paint is one of the easiest DIY projects you can do. However, there are a lot of common mistakes DIY painters make, and some can be irreversible and need a pro to fix, costing you more money and time in the long run.
As with all projects, don’t take on anything outside of your ability. Sanding and staining cabinets can be time-consuming and require specific tools and techniques. Painting the outside of your house is dangerous and largely depends on the weather being cooperative (can’t be too hot, too cold, or too humid!). Be sure you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you start, so you don’t regret your decision.
Making the Damage Worse
Even a skilled carpenter may not tag all the bases when it comes to structural repairs. People making repairs must know about building codes, vertical and lateral supports, load calculations, and safety standards. The wrong kinds of repairs can lead to more structural shifting, unstable supports, and overloaded beams.
Inappropriate repairs on structural damage may include removing load-bearing walls, working in an unstable crawl space or basement, and lifting beams without support equipment. The risk of falls, injury, or worse—building collapse—is a good argument against DIY and a good reason to hire a professional!
Legalities
Local municipalities or building authorities may require structural repair permits. If you do structural work without blueprints, permits, and professional building inspector approval, you could be forced to redo the work and pay fines. Making your own repairs may impact a homeowners insurance claim. Professional contractors help to ensure the property’s overall value, and avoid insurance claims or possible lawsuits from people injured on your property.
When to Hire a Contractor
If your home has these problems, forget the YouTube videos and call a pro.
- Collapsing decks or stairs
- Sagging floors or uneven floorboards
- Windows or doors that won’t close
- Bowing walls, especially in the basement
- Cracks in the foundation, walls, or ceilings
- Water damage anywhere (but especially in crawl spaces)
- Chimney damage
Still Want to DIY?
Household projects never end; there are many DIY upgrades you can do. Get your hands dirty by replacing light fixtures, adding insulation to attics, installing baseboards and trim … the list is endless.
It’s time to hire a pro when the project is not within your realm of expertise or if the “fixes” you’ve already put into place aren’t working. True, engaging a professional contractor can cost a few bucks upfront, but the expertise will be well worth it, especially later when it’s time to put the house on the sales market.