Thanks to cost-conscious consumers and generous handymen, do-it-yourself tips and tutorials abound online. With a little skill and step-by-step instructions, you can do a lot of jobs yourself that would typically require a professional. However, there are times when a DIY approach is more hassle than it’s worth. Here are five times it pays to hire a professional.
Energy Efficiency
If you are interested in making your home more energy efficient, you can find plenty of quick and easy DIY tips online. However, the best way to make sure you are saving as much as possible is to hire an energy consultant. Many HVAC companies will perform home energy evaluations and recommend solutions to meet your needs. With equipment that can detect the tiniest of leaks, energy auditors can provide an accurate, detailed assessment that DIY methods simply can’t match. Finding and fixing more problems means you will save more money on energy bills.
Interior Design
Image credit: Gnilenkov Aleksey
Whether you’re remodeling a single room or your entire house, it’s important to know your strengths and weaknesses. Many DIYers can handle the labor, but lack the vision of an interior designer. You could pick out paint colors, furniture, and accessories yourself and hope the room comes together, but an interior designer gives you an extra guarantee. A professional can help you from start to finish, or work to complement what you’ve already chosen. After you’ve explained what you want, an interior designer can explore your space, draw up designs, and create the perfect setting for your family.
HVAC Repairs
HVAC systems are complex appliances. Some maintenance tasks you can do yourself, such as changing the filter, but actual repairs should be completed by a licensed, bonded, and insured professional. The DIY route may leave you with more problems than when you started, and any damage or injury resulting from the repairs will be paid out-of-pocket or through your home insurance. By hiring a professional, you will ensure that the job is done right—and if for some reason it isn’t, their insurance will bear the burden instead of yours.
Spring Cleaning
If you ever find yourself wishing for a surprise visit from cleaning fairies or for a clone to clean while you sleep, you are know how much time and energy you could save by outsourcing your spring cleaning. If the alternative is a half-hearted or haphazard effort, you could save even more. After all, a well-cleaned home will keep your family happier and healthier. Whether or not hiring a professional cleaner will be worthwhile depends entirely on your habits, so be honest with yourself. If there’s a chance you won’t do the work well, hire a professional.
Before you tackle a home improvement or maintenance project yourself, consider the cost. Doing the work yourself might save you money, but trial and error can get expensive over time. There’s more than money to consider, too. In the course of a DIY project, you will sacrifice time, energy, and perhaps even some sanity, depending on how things go.
