When Should You Leave Home Improvements to the Expert?- Saratoga, NY
In today's world we like the word "save." Especially when it comes to money. Homeowners are willing to do more home improvement projects by themseleves rather than hiring out and sometimes this route is not the safest or cheapest route.
It is understandable that now a days people want to take on home improvement projects by themseleves but how do you determine if a project entails more than you can handle?
Home improvement Tip #1
Do your home improvement research online. Some websites will grade a project by it's complexity.
Home improvement Tip #2
With a Home improvement project you should always look at the tools required. If it says "these tools are needed," do you have these tools and do you understand how to use them.
Home improvement Tip #3
If you are unsure how to finish your project the correct way, get some expert advice before preceding. Sometimes you can spend more money to repair a do it yourself home improvement project than if you hired a professional from the start.
Top 5 Occasions When You May Want to Ask a Professional in With a Home Improvement Project.
1. When home improvement is a safety issue:
Tinkering with an electrical system can be risky. You may not only risk electrocution, but doing the job incorrectly could create a safety hazard.
The basic ceiling fan installation is a popular do it yourself project. In installing a ceiling fan, if done incorrectly it can have dangerous results. More than 19,700 people per year are injured by ceiling fans.
2. When jobs involve safety risks:
Home improvement projects that involve gas. DO NOT mess around with a gas line. If you are not a professional you most likely don't know how to check for gas leaks. A mistake could lead to an expulsion or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Home improvement projects that involve heights. Assess the project carefully. Check the cost/benefit before taking on the project. Ask yourself, "How well do I know how to do this?, Do I have the right equipment? What is my well being?"
Home improvement projects that require power tools. Big Power tools can lead to serious injury or death when used. Don't under estimate jobs in which could be devastating.
3. When home improvement job involves water:
Water damage and leaks can lead to costly and complicated repairs. If leaks and damage is left unfixed it can lead to mold (affects air quality and can be a deal breaker on a home sale).
Water-related projects don't just involve water pipes. Installing a skylight incorrectly could lead to a leaky roof, water damage, and mold. You might not be able to see the leak it could start inside the ceiling and drip behind walls, causing damage to dry wall and wood beams.
4. If the cost of the material or tool are higher than hiring a professional:
Every now and then the cost of materials and the expense associated with a mistake are enough to hire an expert. For a project such as installing crown molding, you need an expensive tool and the material by itself came be expensive.
5. When the project is too big to handle:
Are you planning to replace all of your windows in your home or remodel your kitchen. Think twice on how much of the home improvement project you want to take on yourself. Try to leave the heavy lifting to the experts.
For a Home Improvement Expert Contact the Home Inspector 518-884-0675.
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