This guest blog was provided to us by Ray Flynn of DIY Guys. Contact him at Ray.flynn@diyguys.net
Home Repair Projects Best Left to a Professional
When it comes to home repair projects, you may be tempted to handle some of the big ones yourself, since the idea of saving money and seeing the fruits of your labor is pretty tempting indeed. However, just because a project looks simple, it doesn’t mean that it is. Before you get in over your head, here are a few you need to avoid.
Porch Additions
Depending on what you have in mind, this is one of the projects that can sit on the line between doing it yourself and getting the professionals involved. For instance, if you have a beautiful patio that you dream of enjoying in all sorts of weather, installing a roof could be a feather in your handyman cap. According to Family Handyman, you can handle it yourself if you have the relevant tools and experience. It’s also more manageable if the area is small.
If none of those work in your favor, then you’re definitely going to need a professional. To install the porch itself, poured concrete costs an average of $8 to $18 per square foot. For the roof, note the average handyman makes $17.88 per hour, and you’ll need to tack on your chosen materials, such as lumber, hardware, and roofing material.
Installing Flooring
With the abundance of home renovation television shows available, installing flooring might not seem so hard. However, it depends on the type of flooring you’re going to install and how extensive the work will be. According to Popular Mechanics, laminate flooring can be easy and inexpensive to install if you’re comfortable with making measurements and using the tools.
This only holds true if the project doesn’t have any complications, though, plus you need ample time to live with the room torn up. If you’re going to be doing a large area or you have tiles that need to be removed before starting the installation, it’s time to call in the professionals. Expect laminate installation to run $2 to $6 per square foot.
Furnace Repair or Replacement
According to Bill Howe your furnace may need to be replaced in as little as twelve years, especially if you haven’t been keeping up with the annual maintenance. This is always something that is best left to the professionals as you can run the risk of missing gas leaks or installing the equipment poorly, which can damage the furnace.
To give you a ballpark idea, the national average range homeowners spend for a new furnace is $2,500 to $6,000, while a heat pump installation will run $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the model size and efficiency you select.
Anything Structural
Whether you’ve noticed cracks in your internal or external walls, your best bet is to have the issue assessed by a professional. The cause of wall cracks can vary from simple settling to foundation damage. As such, if you get the right person involved from the beginning, they’ll know how to move forward. This also stops the problem from getting any worse while you try to figure things out.
For repairs that go as far as fixing your foundation, the average homeowner spends around $5,838; a crack repair might be as little as $500, while a major repair might be upwards of $10,000.
There’s a certain pride in getting things done yourself but not every home repair project is meant to be DIY. Unless you have specialized expertise and the relevant tools, projects related to furnaces or structural work are better left to the professionals. You also shouldn’t take on anything that’s too large. Play it safe, as it’s your home sweet home.