Professional Insight for Home Improvements: Advice

It's quite common for viewers of HGTV's ever-popular do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement shows to catch the renovation bug. With an average of over 1.6 million viewers tuning in, it's clear that these shows inspire a large number of people to take on the challenge themselves. While certain renovations can potentially add value to your home, it's crucial to remember that not every DIY project will culminate in success. We at CrossCountry Mortgage suggest starting with minor undertakings, gradually working your way up to more ambitious endeavors. Equally important is acknowledging your limitations and prioritizing safety. Here, we present some home improvement projects best delegated to professionals.

Overhauling Bathroom Plumbing

It's a consensus among both novice handymen and seasoned plumbers that homeowners should avoid any major alterations or additions to their existing plumbing system. For minor issues like a leaky sink or a faulty toilet chain, feel free to fix them yourself. However, implementing a basement bathroom or carrying out extensive modifications to the current plumbing can spell catastrophe. The risk of flooding or an incorrect installation could result in costs surpassing those of professional service. In fact, a minor bathroom remodel conducted by a professional can recoup up to 67% of the initial expense when the house is resold.

Painting Expansive Areas

The dilemma of deciding between DIY and professional services extends to painting projects as well. If your house is moderately-sized with low ceilings and a limited number of rooms, painting it yourself might be manageable. However, if your residence has high ceilings, large rooms, or complex layouts, it would be advantageous to hire a professional. Moreover, if your home was built before 1978, lead-based paint could pose a significant health hazard. Regardless of any subsequent remodels, homeowners of such properties should refrain from undertaking any painting or paint-chipping tasks without professional assistance.

Electrical Tasks

Safe DIY electrical projects for homeowners are limited to:

• Plugging in a new lamp
• Changing a light bulb

And that's about it. Handling electricity is not for the unlicensed. Involvement of a licensed professional is strongly advised for risk-prone tasks, ranging from removing an outlet junction box to installing a new electrical panel. Untrained homeowners could face dangers like electrocution, code non-compliance, or even electrical fires.

Refinishing/Replacing Floors

Even seemingly straightforward tasks, like refinishing or replacing a floor, can escalate beyond control. Realtor.com advises homeowners to enlist professional help, regardless of their comfort level with large-scale projects. The equipment required to refinish a floor demands a skilled and experienced operator to avoid irreversible damage. Similarly, laying down tile, while simpler than many other tasks, still necessitates meticulous planning and a degree of craftsmanship for a high-quality outcome. The investment in professional help is generally well-compensated by the time, stress, and potential errors saved.

Suitable DIY Projects

Given the myriad of DIY projects best left to experts, are there any feasible tasks homeowners can accomplish on their own? Absolutely! The internet is brimming with countless ideas, detailed cost analyses, and instructional videos to guide you every step of the way. You can follow us on Pinterest for an array of home project ideas and more.

Ready to embrace the versatility of owning a home versus renting? Contact us at CrossCountry Mortgage today to learn more about the advantages that homeownership can offer you!

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or mortgage advice. Loan programs, rates, and guidelines may change at any time. All loans are subject to credit approval and underwriting. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a licensed mortgage professional.