The number of do-it-yourselfers is increasing generation after generation. According to the 2017 HomeAdvisor True Cost Survey, the percentage of homeowners that always choose professional service over DIY has decreased from 54% of the Greatest Generation to 53% of Baby Boomers. Although more and more Utahns no longer mind getting their hands dirty, some projects are off-limits. Below are the most notable ones:
1. Plumbing
Most things related to plumbing in Park City, Utah, should be handled by a licensed professional. Any task outside removing a clog or changing a faucet is beyond the skill level of an average DIYer. Plumbing work is more sensitive and complicated than you think. Some jobs require demolishing walls and realigning the pipework. A single rookie mistake can suffice to flood your house, which is a bigger and more expensive problem to have.
2. Tree Cutting
You may be able to buy a chainsaw, but its instruction manual can’t help you when someone goes wrong. Operating such a dangerous tool requires proper gear and formal training. Holding a chainsaw safely is a challenge in itself, so imagine the level of difficulty of strategising how to put one big tree down.
3. Roofing
If you clean your gutters and downspouts, your experience in such does not make you a legitimate roofer. First of all, height is a factor in any roofing work, and falling from several feet from the ground merits an instant trip to the hospital. Also, working around a ladder while carrying tools and supplies is usually not a one-person job. Even professionals work in teams to observe safety at all times. Apart from the inherent danger of going to and walking on a sloped roof, knowing how to install materials requires technical expertise. Messing up the job may create new problems without fixing the old leaks.
4. Painting
This entry may raise your eyebrows, but a bad paint job is extremely noticeable and a significant waste of time, energy, and money. Without wearing adequate equipment, you can easily breathe in hazardous fumes.
5. HVAC
To be clear, general furnace, boiler, heat pump, or air conditioner maintenance can be handled by a non-pro. After all, you do not need a degree from the North American Technician Excellence to learn how to clean and change filters safely or how to dust air vents and registers properly. You can diagnose and troubleshoot many thermostat problems. But HVAC repairs are on another level. They often involve electrical work, which is enough reason to avoid attempting to be the hero. You should never tinker with your broken HVAC equipment since it contains hazardous substances, such as refrigerant, heating oil, and natural gas.
Trying to fix heating and cooling components is a quick way to get electrocuted or to start a fire. As a general rule, you should hire a pro when the state itself requires has licensing requirements for the trade. But even if your project does not need a licensed contractor, be realistic about your assessment. If you want to get good results in record time, it is wise and cost-effective to leave the job to real pros.
