10 Home Repairs You Should Never DIY to Avoid Costly Mistakes (and Possibly Even Injury)

Removing Popcorn Ceilings

Removing popcorn ceilings is gaining in popularity, but it is an extremely messy job. First, the popcorn must be sprayed and softened by a softening agent. Then, all of the surface area must be scraped with a blade. While scraping, it is impossible not to create divots and holes on the surface. Those divots and holes need repair with a compound that will need to dry and then be sanded smooth.

Finally, everything needs to be primed and painted with two coats of paint. The work is overhead and requires ladders. For a job like this, hire a professional and save yourself the headache and probably less-than-desired results, recommends Tina Nokes, owner of Five Star Painting in Loudoun, Virginia.

Hanging Wallpaper

The challenge with hanging wallpaper is getting it straight on the wall and matching up the patterns correctly. Having a good laser level can help. Also, it typically requires two people. Sometimes bubbling can happen, which means a strip of paper will need to be removed and a new strip reinstalled. This can result in not having enough wallpaper and needing to order more.

While only you can decide whether the DIY savings outweigh potential risks, hiring a professional guarantees a smooth and predictable outcome, says Nokes.

Painting the Exterior of Your Home

Painting the exterior of a house is a big job. Most homes require all of the trim, soffits, and rake boards and, depending on the type of home, all of the siding as well. This requires extensive use of ladders at high levels and sometimes climbing onto the roof.

Homeowners need to consider safety requirements before tackling an exterior job. Five Star Painting recommends hiring a professional with experience and the correct equipment.

Installing a Light Fixture

Electrical repairs and installations are expensive. Taking a little time to research and understand your electrical system can give you the necessary skills to take on some electrical projects yourself.

When installing a light fixture, low-voltage projects can be safely performed by a homeowner as they are less likely to cause structural or bodily harm. With that said, if you don’t feel confident in your knowledge or skill or if your project is over 50 volts, it’s best to call in a professional, says Keith Simnacher, owner of Mr. Electric in Austin, Texas.

Installing a Ceiling Fan

Installing a ceiling fan is not extremely difficult, but it may take a few hours depending on your home maintenance experience and the size of the fan. Save this project for a professional if you aren’t comfortable performing work on a ladder, recommends Simnacher.

Installing Molding

Not all homeowners have a power saw or the skills to cut and safely install crown molding while on a ladder. The measurements must be accurate and the cuts must line up seamlessly. This task is best left to a professional unless you’re a really experienced DIY-er, says J.B. Sassano, president of Mr. Handyman.

Replacing a Door

While a new door can help brighten a space and cut down on heating and cooling costs, these savings are best spent on making sure the installation job is done right. Any major door overhaul should be handled by a professional, according to Sassano—for example, turning two windows into an opening for beautiful French or sliding glass doors.

Fixing a Sticking Window

There are a number of reasons that a window may stick. It may be a buildup of dirt and debris in the window casing. Problems in the foundation of your home can cause windows to lose alignment and get stuck. Sometimes, a window is painted and shut before it completely dries, which glues the window closed. High humidity can cause doors and windows to swell and bind them in the jamb.

Repairing Damage to Your Roof

True, replacing a few damaged shingles isn’t a complicated job. But roof work in general is often best left to the professionals. There’s the obvious safety component: You are working up high, on an angle, so a dangerous fall is always possible.

Secondly, pro roofers can spot problems that you don’t. Missing shingles could have allowed water to damage the beams underneath. And if you don’t fix it properly, you might cause further damage.

Fencing Your Yard

While you will save money in labor costs, putting up a fence by yourself is a big job that will take hours of tedious, repetitive work. You also might need to check local building codes and secure a permit. A fence company typically sends several laborers to get it done quickly, and they usually handle the permitting process for you.