As Homes Editor, I find great joy in refreshing my living and outdoor spaces, especially for the warmer months — often scouring social media for the latest DIY trends and expert-led renovation tips.
But while there are plenty of home reno jobs you can do yourself (and save a grand fortune), there are some jobs best left to the skilled professionals.
If not done properly (and safely), you could easily end up causing more damage to your home or, worse, injure yourself and others. What’s more, you’ll be wasting money on materials and costly repairs — when you need to call in a professional to fix your mistakes.
I’ve called on an expert to determine which home renovation tasks are safe for a DIY enthusiast and which ones require the specialized skills of an expert. So before you start your summer renovation project, read this first.
Knocking down a wall
As an avid viewer of home improvement shows, I’ve often seen homeowners knock through interior walls to open up their living areas. And while it might seem tempting to do it yourself, experts warn against this idea.
“Knocking down an internal wall is also something homeowners are urged to think twice about,” states Danielle Croce, director at Intasite. “While it can be tempting to open up space, there are several important factors to consider before picking up a hammer.
Some walls are load-bearing, meaning they support the structure of the property, and removing them without proper assessment could cause serious structural damage. In certain cases, permission from your local council may also be required.”
So while it may look simple to do on television, it’s always safer to call in the qualified professionals to tackle this job. Not only will they have the expertise, but the specialist equipment needed to reduce the risk of any further structural damage.
Electrical rewiring
Now, I’ve known plenty of people who’ve attempted to tackle electrical rewiring themselves, but experts strictly warn against this dangerous job. If you're planning on adding fresh circuits or dealing with high-risk areas like the bathroom or backyard, these projects require a certified electrician.
The safest DIY tasks we can do are minor fixes like swapping out fuses or bulbs without assistance. In fact, why not invest in some smart lighting solutions to save you the hassle?
Fitting a new bath
I’ve lost count of the number of social media posts I’ve scrolled past featuring stunning bathtub installations as part of a high-end bathroom transformation. Again, while it seems to be a simple task, you should never take on any form of plumbing job yourself.
“Fitting a new bath is another job that may seem straightforward but can quickly lead to complications,” explains Croce. “Installing a bath incorrectly could mean breaking water regulations, which may result in fines or further costly work to fix the issue.”
“There are specific approved fittings that must be used, and in some cases, homeowners may even need to consult their water supplier before making changes. Getting it wrong could lead to leaks, water damage, or compliance issues further down the line.”
So if you don't want to risk causing a leak, broken pipe or any further damage, stay far away from plumbing works.
...and jobs that are safe to DIY
- Painting and wallpapering
- Tiling
- Replacing cabinets, doors and fixtures
- Cleaning gutters
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