DIY Home Projects... Piece of Cake, or NOT?

As a REALTOR®, I advise and guide my Sellers through some pretty long “make-ready” checklists when they are preparing to put their house on the market.  There are plenty of things that a homeowner can handle doing on their own, (i.e. decluttering, touch up painting, cleaning, and minor repairs) but when it comes to anything bigger than that, they should hire a professional!  Here are some things to consider when tackling home projects:

1. First off, know your limits!  With YouTube and the internet, many “Do it Yourselfers” think they can simply watch a video or read an article before tackling a job.  Not so fast…just because these outlets provide instructions on how to build or repair something, they don’t make you an expert!  Ask yourself, “have I ever laid tile or installed a toilet?”  If the answer is no, you should probably pick up the phone and hire a qualified flooring installer or plumber. 

1. Plumbing jobs can be tricky!  When doing any plumbing work, you need to know what you’re doing…at the very least, you should know where your shut off valves are, and how to actually turn them off!  A bad plumbing job can lead to minor leaks that can turn into major problems in the future!  So, whether you need a new hot water heater installed, a toilet or sink replaced or a shower diverter swapped out, leave it to a licensed plumber.  It will cost you some money, but it will be quicker and WAY less headache for you, as their work should be warrantied for a reasonable length of time.

1. Electrical shock is NO JOKE!  Before attempting ANY electrical work, you’ll need to shut off the power to the circuit you’re working on.  Is your breaker box accessible?  Are the breaker switches labeled property? Have you ever done any wiring in your life?  These are real questions that you need answered.  And just like with plumbing, an incorrect electrical repair can end up causing you major problems down the road…it could even cause a fire!  Which could affect your home AND your family’s personal safety.  So, unless it only involves changing a light bulb or changing out a switch plate, electrical related repairs and projects should be left to a licensed electrician.

Now you’re probably wondering how to find these professionals, aren’t you?  There are many places to look.  But a great place to start is Angie’s List.  Another great resource for “handy man” type services is Task Rabbit.  Both of these offer many different people with various skill levels and pay scales to fit your individual needs.  And of course, you can always ask your REALTOR®!  We work with plumbers, roofers, electricians, painters, flooring specialists, HVAC guys and handymen on most, if not all of our listings…and can confidentially make recommendations.  For all your real estate-related needs, call Castle Hills Real Estate today!  214-449-1022, we are here to help!