5 Home Improvement Projects That Require Professional Help
Chances are that you’ve been spending more time at home than you’re used to. We’ve all been forced to stay indoors as we quarantine. And in turn, many of us have more free time as well. Hopefully, this isn’t going to be because you’ve been furloughed or laid off, but rather because many of your favorite pastimes are not currently available.
No matter why you’re home, you’ve probably had time to notice exactly how many things need to be done around the house to bring it up to your standards. Of course, now that you have the time to do so, your initial may be to do it yourself. The concept of DIY has become somewhat trendy — for a number of reasons. For one thing, some projects really are easier if you watch videos tutorials online ahead of time and conduct your research. For another, a lot of homeowners want to save money by handling their renovation jobs on their own.
When looking at the numbers offered by the pros, you might think that it’s worth the hassle of doing your own work. But the reason why people pay professionals to handle remodeling projects and other home repairs has nothing to do with laziness or a lack of motivation. The issue really lies within a number of risks and complications that come with DIY projects.
Before you begin your home improvement contractor search, let’s make a few things clear. There are some things that you can do yourself without serious problems. It’s really just a matter of differentiating between what can be done on your own and what you would be better off leaving to the pros. With that being said, let’s look into which of the most pressing home repair or improvement projects you might want to have handled with the help of others. Keep in mind that if you find the right companies to work with, you’ll not only be able to get great work done, but you’ll also likely be able to save more money than you would have had you stuck with your DIY plans in the first place.
1. Roof Repairs And Maintenance
There isn’t any fun to roof repairs and maintenance. Yet, it does need to be done — and ideally on a regular basis. Think first about how important your roof is to the structure of your home. It protects you from the elements and contains warmth within the house. However, this also means that your roof takes quite a bit of damage over time, which will result in it suffering from the kind of wear and tear that requires constant checking. The issues that come with roof damage include the unlikely-but-possible risk of collapse, as well as leaks and the loss of hot or cool air. The latter issue will cause your HVAC system to work harder to compensate. If you leave your roof damage alone, you’ll likely end up spending more in the long term. At the same time, roofs should not be treated as the sites for DIY repairs.
One of the reasons why you should work with professional roofers rather than trying to handle roof repairs on your own is that there is an inherent danger to working on the roof by yourself. Even a one-story home is about eight to 10 feet above the ground; if you fall from that height you could find yourself severely injured. Rooftops can be surprisingly slippery, and for that matter, there can often be an issue when you’re trying to balance power tools with working on something of a height.
Of course, even if you manage to keep from hurting yourself, there are other risks that come with handling rent repairs on your own. For one thing, a lot of people find that they only end up exacerbating the already-existing damage and ultimately end up paying a professional more than they would have, had they just started their home improvement contractor search to begin with. For another, DIY rent repairs can actually compromise your ability to insure your home. Because the repairs could have actually harmed the roof’s structural integrity, a lot of insurance companies will revoke your policy and will not insure you in the future if they discover that DIY repairs have been. For these reasons, among others, you should leave your roof repairs and maintenance to the experts.
2. Tree Removal And Landscaping
A roof is something that you have to maintain; there’s nothing fun or exciting about those types of repairs. However, improving your property’s appearance is another matter entirely. Nothing will make a bigger impression on passers-by than your landscape. Your landscape is essentially the first impression your home will make on anyone and you can do a lot to add personal flair to it.
With that being said, not all landscape improvement projects are as simple as adding a few flowers and being done with it. Some are actually fairly complex, which is why you might be better off working with a landscaping and design company. For example, adding a water feature could really turn your backyard from simple outdoor space to a tranquil oasis. But this would involve digging a hole in the ground, preparing the ground for the water, and building a structure that could be as simple as a pond or as complex as a waterfall. No matter what type of water feature you want, it’s going to be hard to build and easy to mess up — resulting in a huge waste of money. The same can be said of those that wish to add a patio, deck, or walkway. Even making sure your landscaping is graded properly to prevent potential water damage is both essential and complicated. This is why you should probably add a landscaper to your home improvement contractor search.
Not all landscaping projects are so involved, but that doesn’t mean they should be done on their own. You wouldn’t be the first homeowner to attempt to remove a dead tree from their yard on their own. But you can also look online to find plenty of stories about how these types of projects can involve in people being hurt or even killed. Removing a tree is no small task, which is why you should consult with an arborist if it something that you need to take care of in the future. Although we often think of arborists more like gardeners, they also can help you figure out how to remove a tree properly. Conversely, if you’d like to replace your dead tree with something more suited to your property, an arborist can also advise you on what to do next. There’s a reason why you need to make the home improvement contractor search before you jump to do any serious work on your own. You’ll not only be safer and have better work done, but you’ll also be getting expert advice.
3. Big Interior Remodeling Projects
There are so many reasons why you may be thinking about remodeling your home, from the repairs that it might need to the fact that remodeling really adds a lot of value to a house. While you might not yet be thinking about putting your house on the market, having an updated house will not only make you feel better but let you know that you’re investing in its overall value.
There are a number of different remodeling projects that you can get started with, depending on what needs to be done first and your personal preference. After watching HGTV, you may even feel like this is one time when you don’t need to start a home improvement contractor search and that you can simply handle it on your own. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. A lot of renovation and remodeling projects require both creative vision and hard physical labor. Even if you feel like you can picture a remodeling project easily, renovations are actually so complex that remodeling contractors actually divide themselves up into different categories. As such, you wouldn’t necessarily hire a kitchen remodeling contractor to tackle your bathroom renovation.
The reason why this type of work is often divided is simply because different locations in a house have different requirements. A bathroom remodeling project will require a lot of plumbing work, while a kitchen remodeling project may focus more on appliance updates and countertop replacement. If you attempt to handle your remodeling project on your own, you may very well discover that you’ve unintentionally botched it and have taken value away from your house. Now, you may understandably want to handle your renovation on your own because it’s something of a personal project. However, a professional remodeling company should be able to both add your personal touches to your remodeling project, while at the same ensuring that the practical details are taken care of perfectly. When doing your home improvement contractor search, you should interview the contractors you consider and see if their ideas mesh with yours.
4. Other Property Improvements
When doing your home improvement contractor search, you will probably notice that many contractors have a variety of different skills. Some focus more on the creative aspects of home improvement, which will change the aesthetic of your home a bit more; others focus on things like security and the structural integrity of your home. Some may even offer skills that you weren’t even aware that fall under the job descriptions of typical contractors.
For example, you may want to consider working with a garage door service. With their help, you can ensure that your garage door functions correctly and that it doesn’t have any weaknesses that could open the door for robbery or vandalism. You may even want to think about having your old-fashioned garage door replaced by an automatic door, both to ensure that your home is as secure as possible and to keep yourself from getting injured when you try to open an outdated garage door.
Of course, you may also want to consider having fence installation added onto your list of projects. While doing your home improvement contractor search, you may be surprised by how many different types of fencing are available. Adding a fence isn’t just about safeguarding your own privacy. A fenced-in yard makes it easier to keep a dog and makes it safer for your kids. It also allows you to feel as if you can do what you want with your yard, without worrying about input from your neighbors. It simply solidifies what is yours and what isn’t. However, if you try to handle this on your own, you may very well discover that you’ve installed a weaker fence or even have placed it incorrectly. For these kinds of improvements — which often come with high ROIs and impact both your curb appeal and your property’s ability to function — it’s better to conduct a home improvement contractor search than to assume you can DIY.
5. Pest Control
You would be amazed by how easily pests can invade your home and where you might find them. Even your furnace can be affected by pests, like bugs or rodents. This can open your home up to infectious diseases — and some pests can even damage your home’s foundation or inner structure. With that being said, when doing your home improvement contractor search, you may very well want to see if your contractors offer tips on residential pest control or if they can refer you to professionals.
The professional providers of pest control services understand why it’s important to be careful when handling these annoying nuisances. Some companies work with chemicals that are just as harmful to human beings as they are pests. For that matter, those that attempt to handle pest control issues on their own may very well end up spending a lot of money without actually taking care of the problem. Therefore, you shouldn’t try to play the exterminator; rather, you should work with the experts.
Your home improvement contractor search may seem intimidating at first. But if you’re careful and look at the recommendations on major review sites and from locals in your own community, you’ll be able to find a professional that you can trust to both handle your renovation project. This will ensure that you don’t risk your wallet or your health.
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