DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME – HOW TO AVOID DIY DISASTERS
Whether you are a homeowner or landlord, when it comes to those jobs that need doing around the house it can be tempting to tackle them yourself. After all, replacing a bit of bath sealant or fixing a leaking tap or squeaky cupboard door can’t be too much hard work.
Or can it?
Risks And Common Mistakes
Inflated Self-Belief In Your Capabilities
The challenge is that while doing it yourself can save you cash it can end up costing far more if your skills don’t match up to your plans or if you get over-ambitious. Tinkering with a leaky tap could quickly escalate to grand plans to rip out the bathroom. Not only could that overwhelm your limited skills but simple mistakes, such as forgetting to isolate the water supply and flooding your property, could cause extensive damage.
The Waste Of A Job Done Twice
Attempting DIY you are not skilled in could also lead to the added cost and hassle of needing a professional to fix a botched job – which results in you effectively paying twice for the same job. If such professionals are called out urgently then you will also be paying emergency callout fees, adding further to unnecessary expense.
A Real Danger Spot
Beyond damage to your home DIY can also be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. It can even be life-threatening. For example, drilling through a live wire could run the risk of electrocution.
Skipping Safety Measures
It can also be tempting for a DIYer to skip on the safety equipment that a professional might be obligated to have – for example, safety boots, masks or a ladder. If you’re only doing the job once are you really at risk of dropping that new Belfast sink on your foot? (The answer is yes, you are!)
Poor Quality Result
The other danger is that as a DIYer you don’t have the experience of someone with years in the trade. You might catch on quickly, but the quality difference is likely to be noticeable to your tenants or buyers. A poor-quality DIY job could be why they choose another property over yours.
Other Benefits Of Hiring Professionals
Professional Quality Kit
Professionals will have invested in quality tools and products to do the job well. This saves you the expense of forking out for sub-standard products or tools that might only be needed once and are then never used again.
Expert Knowledge
As well as professional-grade tools, trade experts will also have the knowledge and experience in how to use them. That ensures a better finish and means that the task will be completed faster and more efficiently – there’s no learning on the job or YouTube watching for professionals.
Conclusion
We’re not saying you shouldn’t do anything yourself. DIY is a great way to save money and can be immensely satisfying. But it’s important to know your limits and the risks associated with DIY. Sometimes, for quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness it might be easier (and cheaper) to leave it to the professionals.
Proctors is an independent network of individual estate agent businesses with branches in Beckenham, Bromley, Park Langley, Petts Wood, Shirley and West Wickham. We’ve been buying, selling and letting in these areas since 1946. Get in touch to find out how we can help you with your property requirements.