There are some home maintenance and improvement tasks that can be handled safely and effectively by just about anyone with the right tools and a little time. That list includes seasonal tasks like staying on top of HVAC filter changes, cleaning up the landscaping as fall approaches, or redecorating rooms and rearranging furniture.
However, any home improvement tasks that require specialized training are best left to the pros. Read on to find out about a few less frequently discussed examples.
House Painting
Most homeowners realize that large-scale home renovation projects require professional help, not just because they require a lot of time and specialized tools but also because contractors have the training required to get the job done right. Surprisingly, though, many assume that this logic does not apply to exterior and interior painting projects. House painting meets all of the criteria for a job that requires professional help, though. Professional painters are trained, licensed, and insured, have access to specialized tools, and know the tricks of the trade required to avoid amateur mistakes like paint bleed and drips.
Flooring Installations
People often assume that flooring installations are DIY jobs. There’s far more to installing a new floor than ripping up the old materials and throwing the new ones down. If not performed correctly, flooring replacement projects can leave homeowners dealing with additional damage down the road. Plus, even if everything goes as planned, there will be far more waste to dispose of than a residential trash can could handle.
Large-Scale Landscaping Changes
Most homeowners with a green thumb can handle minor landscaping projects at home. Planting a flower bed or a vegetable garden where there used to be a lawn is a good example. Large-scale changes like planting new trees or removing existing ones, on the other hand, are best left to professionals. The problem isn’t just that it’s hard on the back. Perennial plants also need specialized care that most homeowners don’t know how to provide.
Gas Appliance Repairs
For those who don’t mind risking a voided warranty, trying to fix a dishwasher that won’t drain or a replacing refrigerator door gasket can be reasonable DIY home repairs. If they go wrong, it can wind up leaving homeowners footing the bill for new appliances, but that’s not usually a big deal if the alternative was to replace them, anyway. Gas appliance repairs are different because an improperly performed repair won’t just destroy the appliance. A poor repair job could also place residents in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Leave Specialized Tasks to Trained Professionals
No homeowner would attempt to replace a roof or an electrical circuit without professional help because those tasks require specific types of knowledge and experience. The same applies to the less frequently discussed home maintenance, repair, and improvement tasks described above.
The fact that they don’t require permits shouldn’t be taken to mean that anyone can safely have a go at completing large-scale or potentially dangerous projects.
It’s always worth the cost to hire a professional for these and other specialized tasks.
