Got a project you want to do around the house? Feel up to the challenge? Just look on You Tube and find a video that shows you how.
Hey – I’m all for Do It Yourself projects. But – some projects really should be done by a professional contractor.
Electrical Work
Electrical work is simple, right? Connect black to black, white to white. Anyone can do that, right? Sorry, it’s not that simple. Most electrical work in your house requires an electrical permit. The town inspector will look at the entire job when it’s done to ensure everything is done to code. If nothing else, think of the next guy who has to work on it. If it’s not to code it can create large problems and / or jeopardize the next guys safety ir the wiring is not done properly.
Plumbing
Again – work must be done to code. If not the drains may not drain properly, the supply pipes may not be large enough to allow enough water to the device. Gas pipes may not be connected properly allowing gas to leak.
Pool repairs or installation
Again – building codes must be followed. Along with the basic installation – including the foundation, precise leveling, installing the liner – drains and supply lines must be installed. A proper pool installation also requires electrical work. Power must go to the filter and the pool must have the proper electrical bonding. If there’s a heater involved it gets more complicated.
Removing Trees
This is an accident just waiting to happen, and Mr. Murphy is right around the corner. Do you really want to be 15’, 20’ or more off the ground with a chainsaw? Can you guarantee that the tree will fall where you want it to go? Will it land on a house, car, electrical wires or you ?
Removing interior walls.
Sounds like an easy project, right? Cut away the sheetrock, remove the studs. What could be easier?
What happens if there’s electrical work in the wall? Or plumbing? Or a heat vent? Or an HVAC return? What if it’s a bearing wall? If none of these are an issue, many homeowners can remove that wall to make a bigger room from two rooms, or increase the openness of an area of your house. But have a professional inspect the wall to make sure there are no issues with the removal.
It may seem like a good idea to knock down a small wall in your house to open up the kitchen or create a bigger living room, but it isn’t as easy as it may appear. If the wall is load-bearing or supports any part of the house, you could cause serious damage to the structure of your home. If it holds electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, see the above paragraphs. You’ll also need to worry about…
Flooring
It’s easy to remove carpet, if that’s what you have. If there’s hardwood floors on both sides of the wall, don’t assume there’s hardwood under the wall. If you’re putting down tile, is the plywood floor the proper type to install tile, or will you need to install wire mesh? Or possibly backerboard? Can you get the lines straight and the spaces even? Do you know the tricks to installing laminate floors so that it looks right? And for the oldtimers like me, will your knees be up to the task?
I’ve done many projects around the house, and I encourage people to do them. But some jobs are better left to the professionals