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It's natural to want to do everything yourself—especially when it comes to your home. Nothing gives you a greater sense of pride than pointing to a project and saying, "I did that." Perhaps that's why household DIY projects have risen 44% over the last decade, according to the 2021 American Housing Survey.
But just because you could do a certain project on your own, that doesn't mean you should. From painting to plumbing to shelving and flooring, here are five projects you can do yourself and five you should leave to the professionals.
DIY: Painting
Almost anyone can repaint a wall, some cabinets or their front door. The nice thing about paint is that it's pretty forgiving. The worst thing that could happen is you mess up and paint over it.
Professionals: Flooring
No matter how confident you may be about your ability to lay tile, carpet or any other type of flooring, this is a good one to leave to the professionals at Giant Carpet One for several reasons.
First, even a slight error in the DIY process can compromise the look, feel and functionality of your flooring.
Second, professional installation often comes with warranties that last up to a lifetime — but that's not the case when you install the floor yourself.
Third, certain flooring options are trickier to install than others. For example, solid hardwood needs a chance to acclimate to the temperature and humidity in your home. You also need to make sure the subfloor is structurally strong enough before you begin. And if you don't know how to operate a jigsaw, circular saw or nailer, that's another problem.
Sure, hiring out the work may cost a little more upfront. But when you factor in what you'll save on time and in potentially costly errors, it will be more than worth it.
DIY: Shelving
Adding shelves to a room is a great way to maximize your space. And it's super easy to do, too.
Writing for Bob Vila, Lori Lovely says, "It's best if you can attach the supports to a wall stud, but drywall anchors may work if there's not too much weight placed on the shelf. For longer shelves or heavier loads, you may want to consider adding brackets for extra support."
Professionals: Anything electrical
Unless you're a professionally licensed electrician yourself, leave any electrical projects to a professional. The reason for this is pretty straightforward: You don't want to get electrocuted. The Family Handyman specifically says you should avoid projects like replacing burned outlets, wiring, or a faulty circuit breaker. Not only are some of these projects a fire hazard, but they can also cause problems with power surges and general effectiveness of your home's electrical system.
DIY: Caulking
If you want a quick and easy way to potentially save big on your energy bills, caulking or re-caulking those drafty windows is a no-brainer. You don't need many tools or professional experience, but some tips from the Family Handyman may help you get the best results.
Professionals: Big plumbing projects
Though plumbing projects aren't as hazardous as electric ones, this is still something you don't want to mess up. Deane Biermeier writing for Forbes, says there are small plumbing projects around the house you can probably do. With just a little bit of research, you can repair small leaks and problems. However, he warns about taking on projects you're uncomfortable with. "As you gain experience with smaller plumbing repairs, your confidence and skills will increase as well. As that happens, you can accomplish larger and larger tasks comfortably," Biermeier writes.
When it comes to big drain backups, installing new plumbing, or any project that involves a gas line, you should get your local plumbing expert on the job.
DIY: Boosting curb appeal
Making your house look pretty from the outside is another easy project you can take into your own hands. Planting some fresh flowers, cleaning out your gutters and trimming hedges are all simple things that make a big difference when it comes to improving your home.
Professionals: Home additions or major remodels
You may have fantasized about knocking down a wall to extend that master bedroom or suddenly ripping out all your appliances to make way for the brand new kitchen of your dreams. But just because it looks easy on HGTV, that doesn't mean it is. Keep in mind — these people do this for a living. They have a whole team at their disposal. If you try to tackle something major on your own, be prepared for some major overwhelm. As many DIY remodelers will tell you, it always takes longer — and costs more — than you think.
A January 2022 survey from Angi found that 47% of homeowners said their DIY project was more expensive and more challenging than they thought. Almost 80% said they experienced a minor or major mistake during their projects. That may not be worth the risk.
DIY: Update hardware
You might feel like you need to completely redo the kitchen or bathroom, but maybe all you need are some new handles and knobs. Architectural Digest suggests going big, going sleek, or going historical in 2023. This could mean oversized brass handles or edge pulls that are barely noticeable. They say you also can't go wrong with matte black hardware.
Professionals: Roofing
There are two main reasons why you want to leave roofing to the professionals: it's dangerous and it's difficult. Obviously, roofs pose a risk because that's the highest point of your house and falling could mean serious injury. Even if you aren't afraid of heights, you'll also have some elements to deal with, such as windy conditions or a sweltering sun.
Also, it's not just a simple matter of stapling new shingles in a nice, straight line. You might find extra damage underneath those old shingles that you need to address first.
And that's not all.
Writing for Bankrate, Sean Jackson notes, "You're also going to need some specialized tools to make the job go easier and faster — such as a roofing nailer, air compressor, air hose, caulk gun, extension ladder and snips, to name just a few. Be prepared to haul many of them up the ladder too."
The experts in home improvement projects
Whether you decide to go the DIY route or not, the flooring experts at Giant Carpet One can help you get started on your next project. Visit their website to find a location near you or reach out to their professional consultants online today.
