Everybody loves to save money. The do-it-yourself (DIY) project is fun when it is successful. You get to use your tools and you enjoy the flooring more when you are the installer. The joy of DIY vaporizes when things go wrong. A ruined project costs more. There are projects that turn dangerous when improperly done. Some projects merit the use of a professional.
Garage Doors and Openers
This job is risky. There is the potential for anything from instant death and dismemberment to rodent infestation. I recommend a trained professional for this work even if you are mechanically inclined. The springs necessary for a garage door have a lot of potential energy. That energy is just waiting for your mistake; when it is unleashed it rips through whatever happens to be in its path.
Besides the potential to remove your own head or arm, there are critical adjustments to make. The force setting must close the door without crushing the toddler who happens to be passing underneath. When something passes between the electronic eyes, breaking the light beam, the door reverses. An incorrect force setting makes that reversal useless if a pet or small child finds himself trapped underneath. Setting it too far the other direction makes it easy for mice and other pests to enter the garage.
Bricklaying
You want to make a raised flower bed using brick; I will allow that. Anything bigger, please hire a professional. Be reasonable. You obviously have enough money for the materials and equipment to brick the outside walls of your home. How much more can it cost to pay someone who knows how to do it right? Picture yourself explaining to your spouse how you spent all that money, only to turn your home into the eyesore of the neighborhood. On the other hand, a professional job becomes a source of pride.
Tree Removal
Guys love chain saws. Taking down a tree puts you in harm’s way both financially and physically. Every tree is different, so there is no plan for taking it down. Miscalculations are too costly. Trees are heavy; the combination of chainsaws and weight bring them down. Once you set the force of gravity in motion, there is no turning back. Where will it land? Whose property or body will be crushed?
There are a couple of important questions to ask yourself before deciding whether or not to make your project a DIY. “Do I know enough to keep myself and my loved ones safe?” and “Can I afford the price of doing the project wrong?” If the answer to either of these is “no,” hire a professional.
This guest post was written by Vivint. Our Vivint alarm system can help your house be more safe and energy efficient.
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