Home & Garden
5 Home Projects You Should Never Try To Do Yourself
Don't be a DIY hero — some tasks should be handled by a professional. [SPONSORED]
Do-it-yourself projects are all the rage, but sometimes they aren’t worth the money, time and safety risk. There are a few projects and jobs around the house that, unless you’re quite adept, you should leave to the professionals.
If any of the following are on your to-do list, plan on hiring a skilled professional to save yourself a headache.
1. Installing light fixtures and outlets
Before you start fiddling around with a breaker panel and guessing what the black, red, white and green wire colors mean, call an electrician. Whether you're installing a new overhead light fixture or a new outlet for your favorite reading corner, trained electricians are the only ones who should do electrical work in your home. It requires more caution than other jobs for safety reasons, and one wrong move can knock the power out in the whole house.
Installing a new lighting fixture can cost between $141 and $711.
Find a Local Electrical Expert
2. Replacing a toilet
While it might seem easy enough to remove an old toilet and replace it with a new one, this task can get complicated fast. Toilets are heavy plumbing fixtures, and a lot can go wrong even during a routine installation.
A qualified plumber is better able to avoid unexpected leaks, improper sealing, poor caulking and damage to the flange. However, don't be surprised if you're charged extra should the handyman have to haul the new toilet up to a second or third floor.
Toilet installation typically costs in the range of $223 to $537.
Find an Expert to Install or Replace a Toilet
3. Hanging a ceiling fan
Most people think of ceiling fans during the summer months, but they are also an effective way to circulate warm air during the winter. By switching the direction of the blades, the fans will pull air up toward the ceiling and force the warmer air back down. If you're looking to install a new fan this winter, consider hiring a pro.. In addition to dealing with the usual perils of home electrical work, you must firmly secure the fan so its blades can safely spin. A qualified handyman should be able to handle the project with ease.
Installing a ceiling fan usually costs between $143 and $351.
Find a Local Ceiling Fan Installation Service
4. Fixing a damaged roof
Any homeowner without a significant level of experience should avoid doing their own roof work. Performing challenging repairs on a high, slanted surface when you’re an amateur is asking for trouble.
When some of your shingles come loose or a winter ice dam damages your roof, call a roofer instead of climbing up on your ladder.
Depending on the damage, roof repair can cost between $316 and $1,061.
Find a Local Roofing Contractor
5. Repairing or replacing windows
Are your old windows drafty, worn down or in need of repairs? A broken lock or a sticky window can be a serious problem, especially if you’re worried about burglars or keeping out the cold air.
If simple fixes aren’t working, hiring an expert is probably your best option. Window repair can be tricky, and it's very easy to make mistakes. Pay a professional before you get halfway through the project and realize you don’t know what you’re doing.
Window repair can cost between $131 and $446.
Photo credit: Blue Diamond Photography via Flikr
