7 Projects to Never Try at Home

Do-it-yourself projects can lower home improvements costs. But tackling the wrong job can rack up thousands in repair bills and even threaten the safety of your home. These are the seven projects best left to the pros according to Anthony Weissenberg, a Denver-based remodeling expert and real estate agent.

1

Electrical
Projects

What Can Go Wrong: Shocks, fires, power outages, ruined appliances and issues that may lead to rewiring.

What’s Safe: Replacing burned-out lightbulbs and resetting fuses.

“DIY work not only puts homeowners at risk of an electrical fire, but it also shows up on an inspection report when it’s time to sell. Hiring a licensed electrician to fix these mistakes can be costly.”

2

Major Plumbing
Repairs

What Can Go Wrong: Leaks, flooding, staining, mold and mildew growth.

What’s Safe: Unclogging drains and replacing old fixtures like showerheads.

3

Structural
Changes

What Can Go Wrong: Ceiling collapse, wall cracks and uneven doorways.

What’s Safe: Avoid making any structural changes without the help of a pro.

“Taking down a wall may open things up, but it can also cause serious and expensive problems if you don’t know how to locate load-bearing points.”

4

Gas
Repairs

What Can Go Wrong: Fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, increased utility bills.

What’s Safe: Leave all gas-related repairs to a professional.

5

Tree/Limb
Removal

What Can Go Wrong: Personal injury, roof and structural damage, powerline damage and destruction of your neighbors’ property.

What’s Safe: Removing small saplings and shrubs.

“Aside from obvious damage that can occur from fallen limbs, trees that grow over property lines can cause serious issues with neighbor relations. Also, removing too many limbs will kill your tree.”

6

Roof
Repairs

What Can Go Wrong: Leaks, structural deterioration, mold and mildew growth and wet insulation.

What’s Safe: Inspecting your roof for signs of damage.

7

Window Replacements
or Installations

What Can Go Wrong: Leaks, drafts and energy loss.

What’s Safe: Installing weather stripping.

“Replacing an existing window may seem like a no-brainer, but not using the proper weather flashing can lead to a lifetime of water problems.”