Five Big House Jobs You Need Professionals For

Plenty of DIY tasks that you can handle, like assembling furniture, painting an accent wall, or Googling why is my dishwasher making that clicking noise. But then there are the big house jobs, the ones that make you rethink every home renovation show you’ve ever watched. 

The ones that convince you that calling a professional is not defeat, but wisdom. And yes, one of those jobs is roofing, which is absolutely not something you should attempt with the ladder. A dream and questionable balance. So let’s take a look at some home projects where the pros should definitely take the lead and you should sit this one out.

1. Roofing. This is the absolutely not of DIY projects. Let’s just get this out of the way. Unless you’re a park, mountain goat and park construction worker, you should not be on the roof. Aside from the small issue of gravity, roofing requires precision, experience and knowledge of materials that will keep your home dry and cosy through the seasons. A professional roofer knows how to spot hidden damage properly, install shingles and ensure that your roof doesn’t become a very expensive waterfall during the next storm. Call the pros your ankles will thank you.
2. Electrical Work. Unless you like surprises and sparks, electrical work should be left at the pros. It’s absolutely fine to change a light bulb or replace a whole light fixture. Maybe, but rewiring a section of the house is a big no. Electricity is not something to experiment with, and winging it could lead to outages, damage, or some very dramatic fireworks that you did not ask for. Licensed electricians are trained for safety, precision and preventing your home from becoming a cautionary tale on a home improvement forum.
3. Plumbing repairs. Did you know that water always wins? Tightening a loose faucet is harmless enough, but when pipes start knocking, drains start bubbling, or mysterious puddles appear where puddles should not be, it’s time to call the professionals in Water damage spreads quickly, silently, and expensively. And water will always win because you can’t push it back unless you know what you’re doing. A pro plumber can diagnose issues, repair them correctly, and save you from discovering mold colonies you never wanted to meet.
4. Structural changes. We’re going to say this one gently to you, but put the sledgehammer down. Open concept living spaces are all the rage, but they don’t have to be done by you. Before you start knocking down walls like a home renovation hero, take a step back. Some walls are load bearing, which basically means they’re holding your house up. So if you take the sledgehammer to the wrong wall, you’re going to be buried under the rubble.
5. HVAC work. Your heating and cooling system is the heart and lungs of your home and is a complex network of duct motors, sensors, and components that need precise calibration. Do you know what that means? No. Then don’t touch it.