When it comes to doing home repairs, it seems you have two options: you can save some money and do the repairs yourself, or hire a professional. There is an endless supply of handy tutorials and do-it-yourself guides on the internet for empowered homeowners who enjoy fixing things themselves. However, there are some instances where it’s best for your safety, sanity, and finances, to leave it to the professionals. Here are four household renovation projects that are probably best left to the professionals.
Removing Trees From Your Property
Tree removal often requires climbing, power tools, and heavy machinery to fully remove a tree and its roots. If it’s a tall tree, like many in Santa Cruz, then the danger alone is enough to offset the cost of hiring someone who’s professionally trained to do it. If it’s a decaying tree, the dangers are even higher. Branches could fall on people as they walk by, and if you accidentally fall the tree in the wrong direction, it could land on top of your neighbor’s house. The pros have all of the necessary tools to do the job and will clean up the mess when it’s done.
Removing A Wall
One of the most satisfying things about adding an addition onto your home or removing a wall is swinging around a sledgehammer. But, if you’re not careful, you could end up knocking down a load-bearing wall, which would not only make your home structurally unstable, it could actually collapse. Plus, you never know what type of wiring, plumbing, or gas lines could be hidden inside the wall. No matter what, you should always check with a professional before you decide to remove any walls from your house. You can still do-it-yourself, just with a little guidance from someone who knows what they’re doing.
Electrical Wiring
It’s alright to flip a switch on the breaker or replace a fuse, but fiddling with live wires can have deadly consequences no matter how small the project might be. Not only could you cause injury to yourself, but there’s also the possibility of electrical fires too. Protect yourself, your family, and your investment by seeking the help of a certified electrician.
Gas Line Repair
Natural gas is one of the most popular fuels for heating and cooking, and has been used safely in households for generations. That said, unless it has been infused with odorants, natural gas is clear and odorless, making it impossible for the average person to tell if there’s a leak. Improper installs or leaky connections can allow the gas to seep its way into your home, which could cause an explosion or carbon dioxide poisoning. Always hire a credible and certified gas fitter to ensure the gas lines in your home are in tip-top order.
Learn How To Do Safe Home Upgrades Yourself
Not all DIY projects pose as high of a risk factor as the ones we’ve included above. In fact many of them you can safely do yourself safely and more affordably, like painting, flooring, and kitchen and bathroom upgrades. If you have all the willpower but not all of the knowledge, visit one of the local hardware stores to see if they’ll be offering a workshop on the subject soon. If not, you can also check out their website, as they’ll usually include great how-to guides.
If you need help with tree removal, structural changes, electrical wiring, or gas line repair, and are looking for a trusted local company, feel free to get in touch with us and we’ll let you know who we recommend for the job.
Posted by Lauren Spencer on
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