DIY, otherwise known as Do-It-Yourself, is an ethic promoting the idea that anyone is capable of performing a variety of tasks rather than relying on paid specialists. DIY champions the average individual seeking the knowledge and expertise to complete a project they might typically hire a professional to do.
But, at what cost does DIY come when you consider a home improvement project? How do you know when to tackle a project yourself and when to call in an expert?
Examples of DIY projects that often end in success include:
· Creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces and gardens Lots of weekend gardeners love spending time digging in the dirt and seeing the fruits of their labor bloom.
· Painting and custom treatments on your walls. These design details are fun to learn and easy to fix or change as a novice.
When should you avoid DIY, no matter how tempting or exciting the challenge may seem?:
· Home additions or structural changes. These typically have many important considerations that require an expert opinion (engineering, electrical work, gas or plumbing pipes and so on).
· Roof repair. This is rarely a safe undertaking for any homeowner or their homes.
· Outdoor kitchens: It might seem easy enough (a little flooring and a grill-station) but you could end up with a half-finished patio and plumbing gone awry.
Your home is an investment for your comfort and enjoyment and should not be another obligation impacting the limited time you have to spend with family and friends. While you might love the feeling of accomplishment that comes from a job well-done (like creating a beautiful outdoor space), you also should consider the expense and headaches of spending your free time on complex projects that are best left to a professional.
Vertex Carpentry has more than 20 years of experience tackling Honey-Do lists of all sizes and scopes. Call us the next time your DIY hobby grows into a major project, and we will free you up to enjoy your weekends again.
