DIY or Why Try? Projects To Consider Giving To Someone Else

DIY projects are so jaded because of the Internet. There. I said it. I’m sorry but when was the last time you saw something on the Internet that was D.I.Y. and it turned out exactly what it was supposed to. I can tell you that’s never happened to me. Some have been close but some have been complete disasters.

Any DIY that anyone does is a fantastic achievement. It can be an enjoyable hobby for some (I highly encourage you to check out my Home Depot Diaries on my Instagram highlight reel), a handy talent to have and can save you a lot of money. However, there are a few jobs around the house you shouldn't try to do yourself and you should definitely “GTSE” (Give To Someone Else):

Painting The Kitchen Cabinets

You might think it's just a regular painting job, but think again! The buildup of grease and oils on the surfaces makes it a thoroughly different job. Before you start painting, you need to do extensive cleaning with a degreasing agent. This job involves safety measures and specialized equipment that most people don't realize, so you're probably better off sourcing this one out. Get a skilled painter who knows how to paint cabinets in a timely fashion with beautiful results.

Sink Pipes

Unless you are sure you know where exactly the problem is, dismantling pipes can be risky as pipes are complicated and even more difficult to reassemble. Pipes under the sink are usually close to other plumbing components and machinery, so, if you don't have any experience with dismantling and reassembling pipes, professional plumbing services should be in your future.

Installing A Dishwasher

If you buy a new dishwasher, you'll need to hire a professional to come and install it. This is definitely worth the cost as there are a lot of moving parts and you might need to drill into a cabinet to make holes for the water lines (lines?), position the water and electric lines and hook up the water lines. That’s a lot of confusing lingoes if you ask me.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

HVAC professionals have to train for years, so unless you've had that kind of training, step away from your unit and put down your wrench. I know these units are expensive and you are probably looking to cut costs in any way possible. HVAC systems rely on electricity and chemicals which can all prove deadly at any time, if you cross the wrong wires, you could electrocute yourself. Also, the refrigerant chemicals which are used in HVAC systems can be hazardous.

Removing Walls

If you're looking to extend a room, then you might be thinking about knocking down a wall, however, before you do anything you need to get a professional in. If the wall is load bearing and you damage it, it could have severe consequences, and even the ceiling could cave in which can cause serious injuries. Insurance policies don’t cover stupidity. Get an expert in there STAT.

Installing New Light Fixtures

You would think changing out your dining room chandelier would be a simple switch task, but you would be completely mistaken. Installing new light fixtures yourself will likely save you money, but a lot can go wrong when you're inexperienced and dealing with electrics. You might forget to or not know how to turn off the live power to whatever is being worked on meaning there's a risk that you might get an electric shock.

Wiring anything incorrectly will likely lead to even more repairs and end up being more costly than just getting an expert in the first place. Save yourself time, money, stress, injury and leave it to an electrician.

As much as we all love a good save money tactic with a DIY outcome, there are definitely some projects we should leave to the experts. If you’re thinking about moving, upgrading or even just redecorating, these are something I would strongly consider not just looking up on Youtube and calling in the experts.

Any DIY projects that have gone rogue for you? Let's chat about them in the comments below.