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The Redneck Engineering community celebrates the successful (?) attempts at fixing things up. There's nothing wrong with a little DIY at home. In fact, 75% of American homeowners claim they have tried out some sort of a DIY project. Most people (62%) say they tackle home repairs or renovations themselves because it's cheaper.
At the same time, around 80% said they've made mistakes when DIY'ing something, and 45% said they've completely butchered a DIY project at least once. So, it seems that DIY isn't always the be-all and end-all, and it's useful to know when it's best to put the hammer down and call a professional.
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Perhaps the most obvious risk when DIYing home projects is doing electrical work. We often imagine we'll end up looking like Marv from Home Alone 2, but experts warn that faulty electrical work done by an amateur can be seriously dangerous.
According to Chuck Khiel of Case Architects and Remodelers, vice president of the Schedule Fred division, "The real risk is fire." There are 51,000 home fires in the U.S. every year. In some cases, you might even need a permit if you're planning to do electrical work like adding electrical outlets.
Major plumbing repairs should also be left to the professionals. While fixing leaky faucets and pipes is something people can definitely DIY, things like adding or moving plumbing fixtures, replacing pipes and water heaters, or repairing/installing septic tanks or dry wells are not something an average homeowner can do.
One of the most popular things people DIY nowadays are decks. Kiehl warns that many homeowners might need a permit for that as well, whether you're doing it yourself or hiring a professional. The experts at Timber Tech write that you'll need to take many things into account if you want to build your own deck: assess the substructure, the materials, and the scope, getting familiar with the installation process and the tools.
Another, perhaps surprising, DIY project you shouldn't do solo is taking down trees. You have to have the right safety gear, know how to operate a chainsaw, and even be familiar with tree physics. In some jurisdictions, you might need a permit to remove a tree as well, so always check for that!
Okay, there are lots of things that we can't DIY. But what can we do, then? If you're not Bob the Builder but you like to get your hands dirty once in a while, you can do simpler home improvement projects or fix things like a clogged toilet, jammed garbage disposal, wall holes, or walls that need a little TLC (paint).
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