I wrote yesterday about five home improvements you can do yourself. However, there are certain home repair projects we won’t tackle because of our lack of experience:
Complicated appliance repairs – Some parts of appliances are easy to repair. Replacing a broken drawer or a blown light bulb can and should be handled by the homeowner. However, if your refrigerator no longer cools or you smell gas when you use your range, it’s time to call your trusted repair technician.
HVAC repairs – HVAC units are often complex pieces of equipment. Between the hi-tech thermostats that trigger your heating and cooling system and the gas or electrical elements that heat the air in your system, there are many intricate parts that work together to make your room comfortable. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, you should probably leave repairs to your HVAC unit to a professional.
Roof leaks – Poorly repaired roof leaks can quietly do damage to the structure of your home. If the leak continues, water can collect and stain or rot ceilings or joists in your home. In addition, inexperienced homeowners may not know how to safely walk around a roof and could end up with a nasty injury.
Electrical repairs – Certainly, some electrical work can be handled by the homeowner. Replacing a broken electrical outlet and updating light fixture are simple projects that can be taken care of quickly. However, if you suspect that there is a short in your home’s circuitry or need to upgrade the service to your home, you should call a certified electrician. Electrical problems can easily lead to a home fire that will be much more costly than the repair.
Foundation cracks – A few surface cracks on your home’s foundation are probably nothing to worry about. Wider and deeper cracks are a much bigger problem, however. If you are worried that your home’s foundation is in trouble, you should seek the help of a foundation expert. He will be able to tell you if your concerns are founded and the best way to solve the problem.
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Another one that I’d add to the list is larger plumbing jobs. Yes most shouldn’t be too bad but the problem isn’t in the initial job but a couple years later. If you do a plumbing job badly you might find a lot of mold and stink in a few years. This can cause a lot more headaches than its worth and cost a lot of money.
Good list though.
I’m not inclined to do many home repairs myself, but my husband sometimes tackles projects I wish he’d leave to the pros. One thing I’d like to point out is that the pros will usually look at the situation and give you an estimate for free. They can let you know the severity of the problem, and if it IS something easy to fix, you can try doing it yourself then. Also, some of the things you mentioned (like some electrical work) need permits, so if you do it yourself, you need to call an inspector and get it all up to code. If you hire a licensed professional, they will take care of that aspect of it. We learned that one the hard way!