On Wednesday, we published a blog about four renovations you can do on your own. Keeping up with the on-going maintenance requirements of your home will pay back in the long run. It’s easy to tell when we, as agents, show for-sale homes that have not been maintained over the years. Homes that have had continual quality maintenance draw the most interest and a higher price point because the love and appreciation for the home shine through.
DIY repairs can save you money and be a lot of fun. Sometimes though, hiring a professional is the smartest choice for your safety, as well as for quality results in your home. And Colorado Springs has an ample supply of home renovation professionals. If you need a specific recommendation, call our team at Woodleaf, and we can direct you to the best man or woman for the job!
In the meantime, unless you’ve got the handyman gift, here are four renovations you SHOULD NOT do on your own. (aka hire a professional)
1. Electrical Work
Changing out or installing electrical wires is both complicated and dangerous. To avoid potential fire hazards or electrocutions (and to make sure your home is up to code), hire a professional when installing or updating your electrical.
2. Plumbing
Plumbing can be tricky, and while you may be tempted to save money by installing or changing out pipes on your own, water damage due to mistakes is even more expensive. It’s one thing to learn how to fix a leak, but if you are adding or changing your pipes, call in the professionals.
3. Window/Door Installation
If you want to change old doors, you can probably do it yourself. But if you want to cut out and install a new door, we recommend hiring a professional. With windows and doors, measurements have to be exact; this leaves a lot of room for error unless you know what you’re doing. Proper sealing is also essential in a city like Colorado Springs. We love winter, but not inside our house.
4. Exterior Painting
This is probably the most debated renovation on our list, but we err on the side of professionals. Here’s why: unless your house is a one-story box, cutting in on corners and reaching the highest points of your home can be a real challenge with exterior painting. Especially if you are painting for potential resale, we highly recommend calling in the experts. Like we always say, curb appeal is of the utmost importance.
We hope these tips are helpful to buyers consider a renovation home. If you have any questions about renovations or current fixer-upper houses on the market, give us a call, and one of our experienced agents can help!