Home renovations can range from minor to extensive, and if you are like most homeowners, you might think you can save a little money by doing some of those renovations yourself. Though there are many, many things that you could accomplish on your own, there are others that should be left to the professionals. Here are a few tips and tricks for helping you decide when to DIY and when to hire a pro.

Common Renovation Tasks for Do-It-Yourselfers

If you have time and energy on your hands, and if you don’t mind spending your time completing home renovations, there are plenty of tasks that you can complete on your own to save some money. These include painting, building shelves, making minor changes to your landscaping, replacing a kitchen backsplash, and perhaps even installing new faucets. These things can all be completed quite safely with a bit of research and understanding, though it should be mentioned that pros can normally get them done more quickly.

Things to Leave to the Pros

If you feel comfortable performing the tasks above, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t. However, there are some things you should almost never attempt on your own. For example, if you need to rewire your bathroom or add an outlet to an existing circuit, unless you are a licensed electrician, you will need to call in an expert. Along those same lines, if you need to remove asbestos from your home, it’s vital that you call a professional. Otherwise, you may put your family’s health at risk. Other things that require professional assistance include HVAC relocations or extensions and major structural repairs to your home.

When in Doubt, Consider This

Everyone has a different level of ability, so what might be an easy job for one person could be incredibly difficult for someone else. When you cannot decide whether to attempt a project on your own or call in a professional, consider all the following:

• Do you know how to do it? Is the project something you’ve done before, or will you need to teach yourself how to do it?
• Will you feel comfortable? If you’re painting the second story of your home’s exterior, will you feel comfortable on a ladder?
• Do you have time? One of the biggest drawbacks to DIY projects is the amount of time they take to complete. Many homeowners completely underestimate the complexity of renovation projects, leaving them pressed for time and frustrated.
• Do you need a permit or inspection? If the project you’re interested in tackling requires a permit, there’s a good chance you should call in a professional. Not only can they complete the project, but they can also help you secure the required paperwork.

At the end of the day, do-it-yourself projects can help you save money, but only if you’re confident in your abilities. If you are not sure whether you can handle a project, or if you are not knowledgeable, there is a very good chance something can go wrong. When this happens, you might end up spending more money than if you had just called a professional in the first place. Always weigh the benefits and the potential risks before you decide.