Thanks to YouTube “How To” videos and HGTV, homeowners now have a leg up when it comes to completing home improvement projects on their own. While you may be inspired by Chip and Joanna or the Property Brothers, binge watching their TV shows does not make you a home improvement pro.
DIY projects are a great way to save money, but they can cost more in the long run if the project is done incorrectly. It is generally safer and more cost effective to leave major home improvements to the experts. Before you grab your toolkit, here are four home repairs you should never DIY:
1. Painting or Siding the Exterior of Your Home. Doing any upgrades to the exterior of your home is a big job. While you may consider painting (or even siding) on your own to save a few bucks, we suggest that you leave this job to the pros. Exterior painting is nothing like painting your bedroom walls. It often requires large pieces of equipment, specialized paint, and intense physical labor that you may not be prepared for.
2. Repairing the Roof or Shingles. Have you noticed a water leak in your bedroom ceiling or shingles missing after a storm? Looks like you’re in the market for roof repair. But don’t think it’s a small job to repair your roof. You need to identify the source of the issue; there may be more underlying damage not seen to the untrained eye. Your DIY repair could end up being more costly and damaging in the long run. Work with your insurance company to hire an experienced professional for the job instead.
3. Making Electrical Repairs. Think rewiring the interior of your home is a suitable DIY project? Think again! Electrical jobs require a certain level of skill and experience that most homeowners don’t possess. Unless you are a licensed electrician, we advise against doing any major rewiring yourself. Beyond the complexity that comes with the electrical components of your home, it is also a dangerous job to complete if you don’t know what you are doing.
4. Removing Interior Walls. While there’s likely nothing more therapeutic than taking a sledgehammer to a wall, we highly advise against this DIY approach to a larger floor plan. Accidental damage to a load-bearing wall can result in major structural issues. It can also put you in physical danger. Our suggestion? Hire a professional contractor to inspect the structural integrity of the wall before attempting removal.
Bottom line: When it comes to certain home repairs, it’s worth the extra money to hire a skilled, licensed professional who has the proper tools and knowledge to handle the job.
This sponsored series is presented in partnership with Telhio Credit Union. For more information on how Telhio Credit Union can help you with your home improvement projects, visit telhio.org.
This is a mutli-part sponsored series presented with paid support by Telhio Credit Union.
Telhio Credit Union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union, Hamilton, Warren, Butler and Preble counties. Founded in 1934, originally as the credit union for the Columbus Telephone Co., Telhio is a not-for-profit financial cooperative where its members are also its owners. Driven by its philosophy that members come first, Telhio is committed to the highest standards of responsibility and conduct. Telhio offers a variety of innovative programs, services and products to support its members’ financial needs. Telhio offers nine branching offices throughout Central and Southwestern Ohio and nearly 4,000 shared branching locations nationwide. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. All loans subject to underwriting approval and guidelines. NMLS #251831