DIY projects can be a great way to save money. However, if you don’t possess adequate knowledge, skills, and experience for the DIY projects you undertake, it can end up costing you ample amounts of money and time.

When it comes down to it, there are some projects that are perfect for DIYers and some that should be left to the pros. To help you prevent some costly mistakes, this article from Realtor Carol Gilles outlines a few projects in each of those categories. If performed correctly, all of these projects can raise the value of your home!

Best Left to the Pros

Here are some projects that are typically better left to the professionals:

Structural Issues 

This includes any major work needed on your roof, foundation, or other structural elements of the home. Such components are simply too essential to the stability and safety of your home to do experimental work on them, especially if you’re learning as you go.

Furnace Replacement

A furnace is something else that you don’t want to go wrong. If the time has come for you to get a new furnace, you’ll need to hire a pro to install one. The current average cost to replace a furnace is $1,795 to $6,290 according to HVAC.com. However, you can spend as little as $1,000 or more than $30,000, depending on what type of furnace you choose (e.g., gas, electric, oil, geothermal, etc.).

Major Plumbing

The same goes for plumbing. Sure, you can probably replace a faucet, but it’s essential to look for issues as you do so. For example, if the shut-offs are rusted out or the threading on your pipes is stripped out, you could cause damage (e.g., flooding, leaks, damage to pipes) by trying to finish the job yourself.

If you see these issues, call on a professional plumber via Angi before going any further. Angi is a great site for helping you match with a plumber (or other contractor) quickly and within your budget; be sure to look at customer reviews and deals being offered by local companies to narrow down a list of specialists to contact for a project quote.

Major Demolition

This includes the demolition of walls, flooring, or other major parts of your home. As fun as it might sound, resist the urge to break out the chainsaw and jackhammer. If you’re doing a major renovation, Hometown Demolition suggests this is not a stage that you want to try and save money on.

Easy to DIY

Now, for some easy, cosmetic DIY tasks:

Painting

Painting is one of the most popular kinds of DIY projects, as it allows you to transform a room or furnishings in a matter of hours. All you have to do is get the materials, set aside some time for sweat equity, and get to work. Plus, if you make a mistake, it’s not going to be catastrophic.

Refreshing Kitchen Cabinets

Refreshing your kitchen cabinets can raise the value of your home, as long as you don’t overdo it. For instance, if your cabinets are in especially bad shape and require stripping, sanding, and restaining/refinishing, you might want to bring in the pros. This is because cabinet work is a time-consuming and tedious process — mistakes are easy to make. However, if your cabinets simply need a fresh coat of paint and updated hardware, it could be worth DIYing.

Minor Demolition

This includes lighter demolition than the one mentioned above. For example, taking out moldings, carpet, appliances, and cabinets is something that can usually be DIYed when proper safety precautions are taken into consideration.

Changing out Light Fixtures

You don’t want to get into any serious, elaborate electrical work alone. HGTV offers good insights about how to change out a light fixture, however, proceed with caution. Be sure to turn off the power in your breaker box and caulk around any fixtures you install outdoors.

Determining which projects to tackle yourself and which to hire a professional for is critical when it comes to maintaining the safety and value of your home. Consider the tasks listed here and do further research to learn more about other home improvement projects. Remember that DIY only saves you money when you have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to get the job done correctly.

Thank you, Alexis Hall, of Singleparent.info for your contribution.

Realtor Carol Gilles is your South Bay real estate source! If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, she will put my 40+ years of real estate expertise to work for you. Reach out today! 310-864-9738