I f i s n e p p “What ha
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By Dani Messick House and Home Feature Writer
Hendrick Construction says the first question you should ask when planning a DIY home repair or remodel. “If there is a chance that you could be harmed in the process of completing a DIY repair, it’s best to call a professional,” Shawn Hendrick says in a company blog. A wealth of tools online exist for educating DIYers on how to complete certain projects.
basements, chopping down trees, and fixing garage doors, the couple admits HVAC is out of their scope of knowledge. “Look, we’re all about DIY and taking on a challenge. But, we’re also all for not screwing up expensive, complicated equipment. Plus, it doesn’t matter how many tools you have. You don’t have the right ones.” Then there’s cost. Can you afford to fix your mistakes?
My DIY University is one of just many locations where homeowners can take free and paid online classes in a variety of topics ranging from smart home tech to bathroom remodeling to complete home building.
“Often, a problem will seem simple but is actually the result of a larger underlying issue,” Hendrick says in his blog. “Attempting to solve the problem yourself can lead to unnecessary waste of time and money. Be honest with yourself about your knowledge and skill level.”
YouTube boasts channels including the DIY Network, Flannel Guy DIY and The DIY Mommy, among hundreds of those. They’ll tell you, too, that sometimes it’s best to call a pro.
He sites roofing and electrical work as particular areas where an expert should be called,
In a YouTube video from Jan. 2015, MyFixitUpLife show’s DIY couple Mark and Theresa acknowledge there are just some projects they won’t take on alone. Despite framing
“Simple mistakes can lead to an electrical fire,” Transworld, Inc. Electrical Contractor says in a blog. “Electrical fires are dangerous and unlike regular fires, it’s dangerous to use water to extinguish the flames.
The water will conduct the electricity and electrocute anyone nearby who gets wet.” Mistakes as simple as incorrect bulb wattage, or faulty installation of switches and outlets, seemingly basic projects, can lead to complicated fires- and then there’s municipal codes and permits. “Remember that unlicensed electrical work is against the law so individuals guilty of this can face severe fines of up to $100,000, while companies can be penalized up to $500,000, depending on the state or territory. You can also serve a prison sentence of two years. If your violation causes deaths, you’ll have to deal with larger penalties and a lengthier prison term.” Lifehack.org, known for being a DIY haven, agrees with Hendrick that DIY roofing can cause more problems than is worth the potentiwal savings. Blogger Cassie Costner explains, “Depending on what field you are specialized in, you might have absolutely no knowledge of how roofing works, and what the best techniques are.” “You don’t want to make an experiment out of your home—get the roof replaced properly the first time
to prevent further projects from being needed,” she said. “By doing a poor job yourself, you will only be spending more money hiring somebody else to come take care of the mess you created.” Examples she includes are finding leaks, which licensed professionals are trained to investigate. “When you are learning a new skill, most of your attention is dedicated to completing the task, not your surroundings,” she adds. “In some cases this is just fine, but when it comes to fixing the roof, this is downright dangerous.” Still, handymen exist for just about anything and the truth of the matter is you can and should call a professional any time you feel you may not be able to do the project safely by yourself. Blue Collar DIY says his most lucrative projects are things like drywall repair, and ceiling fan or wall mount installation. “You should always ask, ‘What could happen if I mess up?’,” says Hendrick. “If the answer is death, serious injury, or substantial property damage, the best option is to call a professional.” n
| Michiana House and Home | May 2022 | 13
