Owning a home can come with a lot of responsibilities such as routine maintenance, repairs, and even renovations. Although these are all necessary when it comes to your home, the costs can add up quickly.
Home repairs can be tricky, and though you may wish they were as simple as changing your oil at home, that typically isn’t the case. There will likely be many instances during the lifetime of your home where the issue that arises is out of your wheelhouse.
When this occurs, you could be tempted just to give it your best shot and see what happens to save yourself the cost of paying a professional.
This isn’t always the wisest route to take, however. Without the knowledge and skills to fix something, you could find yourself in a situation where you make things worse instead of better, not only for your home itself but also with your insurance provider.
Some repairs or renovations, even those that will increase your home value, are simply too complicated to do without the proper knowledge and tools. So how do you know if you need a professional’s help rather than trying to fix the problem yourself? Let’s find out.
DIY Fixes Without a Professional
When it comes to determining whether you can solve a problem independently, there are a few factors that may help you decide.
How serious is the problem?
The first step is assessing the issue and determining how serious it is. This can help you decide whether you should try to do it yourself.
You should leave more complicated issues to the professionals, such as electrical work, plumbing, roof repairs, structural changes or repairs, and anything involving gas appliances. These types of problems typically require special knowledge and tools to be done correctly.
On the other hand, lesser problems such as a leaky faucet or patching small holes in drywall are usually easy to fix even for those with little to no knowledge. Not much damage can typically be done by attempting to repair these on your own, and you always have the backup option of calling a professional if you struggle to figure it out.
Do you have any experience?
Attempting to repair something you have never dealt with before can be a frustrating and possibly lousy situation. You may find yourself causing more damage than there was to begin with if you have no idea what you’re doing.
Although there are many videos available on the internet to teach you how to DIY just about anything, that doesn’t mean you have the experience needed to understand the process entirely. This is an easy way to land yourself in a worse situation than you started in.
How-to videos are great for simple fixes you may be attempting for the first time. Still, when it comes to highly complicated repairs, it’s more than likely even a thorough explanation video won’t compare to the work of a professional.
Is there anyone with knowledge that can help?
If you are lucky enough to have a good relationship with someone knowledgeable about home renovations or repairs, you could have them come and help you with the process. You will still be learning how to complete the repair yourself, but you have a little backup if something goes wrong.
Someone with knowledge may also provide tools you otherwise wouldn’t have access to, helping the repair go smoothly and more successfully.
Repairs That Require a Professional
Sometimes a DIY fix just won’t cut it. When this happens, it’s time to call in a professional. This ensures your repair will be done correctly, and you can save yourself the headache and worry of attempting to fix something you may not have a lot of knowledge about or are not familiar with.
Major problems that can affect the structure of your home or its overall well-being are a perfect example of things that should be seen by a professional. Imagine you attempt to fix something important, only to do so incorrectly. This could lead to further damage to your home or big problems later.
Crucial home repairs typically should be seen by a professional. Even if you spend countless hours watching how-to videos, it won’t add up to the experience of someone who has training and knowledge on their side.
DIY Repairs With Your Insurance
Another factor to consider when it comes to bringing in a professional or doing it yourself is your insurance policy. Your provider does have a say in all this, even if you don’t immediately consider them.
When something goes wrong within your home and it’s covered under your insurance policy, you will likely want to contact your provider to make a claim. If you plan to complete the repairs yourself, you will likely receive a check from your insurance company covering the cost of materials. Be sure to speak to your agent to ensure that you are both on the same page about how the money will be spent.
You shouldn’t expect to pocket a large amount of cash either from doing the work yourself. Your insurance company will likely want receipts and proof of what you purchased with their money. If you try to scam them out of what is left over, you could find yourself in some legal trouble.
If you plan to be honest about the money and truly intend to use it all for your home, you still should be wary. Don’t expect any additional help from your insurance company if you cause more damage during DIY repairs and wind up needing to call in a professional. Those costs will have to come out of pocket.
Deciding to DIY or Call a Professional
It can be tempting to take on repairs yourself to save money rather than paying a professional. And for smaller or more minor fixes, this may be a good option.
When it comes to extensive repairs, you don’t want to risk making your home worse or falling out with your insurance company. Although it can be tough to pay the costs, letting the professionals handle the problem is your best choice. This ensures your home is properly repaired and you remain in good standing with your insurance company.
About the Author:
Alexandra Arcand writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, CarInsurance.org. She enjoys doing her own home DIY projects and has learned throughout her experience what kind of repairs are best left to professionals.