A botched home improvement project is more costly than you might think. It’s not just about the loss of curb appeal that you have to worry about. Any unfinished or poorly done renovation can decrease your home’s value by a huge sum, as well as invalidate your insurance coverage. These are hefty losses that might not be worth your amateur passion for renovation.
While there are basic repairs and upgrades you can do by yourself, it’s better to think twice about the big improvements if you don’t have the experience to pull them off. This is particularly true for these three tasks that require a certain level of mastery to accomplish.
Tiling
The only reason tiling looks simple is because it is simple to those who’ve had way more practice than you. Tiling is more than aligning tiles so that they follow a straight line. You’ll have to prepare the surface by making sure it’s even.
Otherwise, it will suffer from lippage, which is when the edges of adjoining tiles are not the same height. Speaking of misalignment, the is not friendly to novices. They can reposition the tiles for you as they dry out, and there’s minimal leeway for repositioning once you’ve used them.
Don’t forget about perimeter tiles. These will have to be cut with a snap tile cutter or a wet tile saw, and there’s always the danger of bad cuts that you won’t be able to hide under baseboards. You’ll save yourself from unnecessary costs and frustration by leaving this job to a licensed general contractor. None of these daunting tools and tasks are new to them, and they’re likely to choose better tiles than you anyway.
Structural Changes
If the term “structural changes” overwhelms you even the slightest, then you have the sense to back away from it for good. Renovations that require structural changes demand the expertise of a licensed professional. Your attempts to DIY a gazebo or deck without first getting a permit can result in fines. Demolishing walls and pillars by yourself can compromise the credibility of your entire house’s infrastructure and your safety.
The same goes for putting up structures like bay windows and adding permanent partitions between your kitchen and living room. They may end up looking good, but if you did them without prior experience, sufficient knowledge, and proper tools, you could expect that they won’t last. Neither will the rest of your house, for that matter.
Plumbing
Believe it or not, unclogging a toilet five times doesn’t make you a plumber. Neither does fixing all the leaky faucets in your home and that of your neighbors’. There are more knowledge and skills attributed to plumbing that you’ll need to master to qualify as a plumber, and until you do, leave the task alone during your home renovation.
Re-fitting your pipes, installing new toilets, showers, and bathtubs necessitate the expertise of reputable plumbers. There’s an entire plumbing system within your house that could turn bad because of simple mistakes like a loose screw. When these mistakes lead to leaks or even flooding, you’ll incur damages that are more costly than a professional plumber’s fees.
When in Doubt
Home improvement isn’t all about achieving an aesthetically pleasing house. It’s also about creating one that promotes safety and increases the value of your home. When in doubt about your ability to perform certain renovation tasks, take it as a sign to call licensed professionals. Your house and your family will be better for it.
