Written by Kent Elliot.

Some Home Renovations Best Left to the Professionals

If you’ve owned your home for a while now, you might feel pretty confident with your home repair skills. That’s great, and knowing how to swing a hammer is a huge asset. However, before you make too many changes to your property, take a moment to consider when these tools might be best left to the pros. Things like electrical, plumbing, and structural changes aren’t for the inexperienced. Read on for some important pointers.

Update vs. Renovation

The best way to decide whether it’s reasonable to go after a repair yourself is to determine if it is an update or a renovation. An update is a superficial upgrade that doesn’t require a license and won’t change the layout or function of your home. An in-depth renovation might involve anything from tearing out a wall to installing mechanical components.

Heating and Cooling Repairs

There are dozens of reasons that your home’s furnace may stop working. And with a little trial and error, you might fix the issue on your own. According to Central Heating & Air Conditioning, your house may have grown cold because the thermostat is turned off or the circuit breaker was tripped. Another potential issue that you can handle is obstructions. Sometimes, a furnace or HVAC unit may not be able to take in enough air. In this instance, cleaning up and removing clutter may do the trick.

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If you think it’s time for a new furnace, pick up the phone and call a professional. Depending on the type, it costs $1,795 to $6,290 to have a new furnace installed. What you’ll spend is a small price to pay to ensure that it is done correctly. An improperly installed furnace may lead to electrical problems or early appliance breakdown, which means you’ll just be spending that money all over again.

Finishing A Basement

If you need to add space to your home’s layout, finishing the basement may be your best bet. Not only is it cheaper than adding one or more rooms, but you also have walls to work with already, so it may take less time. But, if your basement requires more than a coat of paint on the walls (or the concrete floors), you need a general contractor.

According to Budget Dumpster, the challenges of finishing a basement include getting around components like heating ducts and gas lines. In some instances, you may have to move these features to add the space you need. A general contractor can help you determine if it’s feasible. They can also build and remove walls without putting your home’s structure at risk.

Other Projects

Those are just two examples of projects that may require a helping hand. Other projects that are most suited to a professional include:

Electrical – You can change a lightbulb, light fixture, or switch, but wiring and electrical panel installation may require a license.

Plumbing – Go ahead and change out the hardware, including the faucets and showerhead. Let a plumber handle anything that goes behind the walls or pertains to the underground mainline.

Tree removal – Picking up sticks and smaller limbs in the yard is one thing, but larger limbs and trees that have fallen or are diseased should be handled by a pro from Angi. Be sure to get multiple recommendations and that the pro you’re considering is licensed and can provide a detailed estimate.

Roof repairs – Replacing a shingle is a simple project you can do in a few hours. But when the entire roof needs an upgrade or, if you have water damage or wood rot, find a local roofing company.

Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and handle some home repairs. But also know when it’s time to pay an expert. Trying to tackle areas where you are completely lost may just leave you frustrated and searching for someone to handle emergency repairs, which will cost you more in the long run.

Photo via Pexels

Don Martin has helped hundreds of FSBOs save thousands of dollars, and also delivers seminars, keynotes and motivational messages to real estate and sales professionals. Call (615) 973-8970

About Don Martin

Don is the founder of Martin Properties and The Reasonable Realtor, a blog about DIY home and personal finance. He went from being a manager at a large Sports/Luxury car dealership to starting his own real estate company. He grew it to 16 agents, and took it state-wide from Nashville, to include Knoxville, Memphis, and Chattanooga. His business includes training agents, and counseling For-Sale-By-Owners. He has written more than a dozen books about the subject, and his updates can be found HERE! Join his private e-mail group (not newsletter) HERE.

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