6 Do’s and Don’ts of DIY Home Repairs

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Do you have some areas of the home that need a little attention in terms of repairs? Does it seem like the kind of job you could do yourself? DIY home repairs can save a homeowner a lot of money when done correctly, and many are small enough that they don’t necessarily warrant a professional coming in to take a look. But how do you know when a project is out of your comfort zone?

Here we’ll take a look at six dos and don’ts of DIY home repairs, giving you some guidance to work from as you figure out what projects you can tackle.

Do Start with a Priority List

A big complaint that homeowners can have is the sheer volume of projects they want to get to. It’s normal to feel like it’s never-ending, as each time you finish one room to your liking, there’s bound to be the next room that needs work. This is why it’s a good idea to create a priority list of projects. Differentiate between needs and wants on that list to ensure that the projects you do complete are the most useful ones.

Do Go into the DIY Project with a Plan

While there may be some things in life that you can wing it and just go with the flow, home repairs aren’t one of those occasions. It’s always important you go into the DIY project with a plan, which means knowing what steps you have to take and the order to do them. You want to also have all your materials, tools and equipment ready to go so that you don’t have to stop mid-project to locate items.

Be sure to also keep your plan realistic, especially when it comes to budget and timing. Although it would be great to fly through each project and come in under budget each time, that’s probably not very realistic.

Do Be Honest with Yourself About Comfort and Skill Level

There’s nothing wrong with having confidence in yourself and having the desire to tackle DIY projects but be sure that you’re honest with yourself about your comfort and skill level. There is nothing wrong with admitting you are in over your head, and it’s better to acknowledge that before you start the project.

Don’t Attempt Pest Control When You Have an Infestation

Seeing a bug or two in the house is no big deal and something you can easily handle on your own. But what happens if you don’t just have one or two pests but a full-fledged infestation? It is always advisable that you leave pest control to the pros who have the proper skills, knowledge, equipment, product and safety gear. Not only is there the chance you won’t address the infestation fully, but you may need to work with dangerous chemicals and products which require skill and safety precautions.

Professional pest control doesn’t just address the immediate issue of getting rid of live pests, but it can also address future cycles of the pests coming into the home.

Don’t Try Electrical Work on Your Own – Hire a Professional

One job that should be considered well outside the realm of DIY home repairs is electrical work. This can be extremely dangerous if done incorrectly, and there’s the fact that any electrical work needs to meet specified codes. It’s always best to hire a licensed and experienced electrician to look after these projects.

Don’t Cut Corners When It Comes to Safety

The final tip is to not cut corners when it comes to safety, whether that means safety in terms of doing the DIY repair or cutting corners that can negatively affect the integrity of the repair.

By using all of these tips you’ll be ensuring that your home repairs are done right, whether by you or a professional.

Jeff Campbell
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