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Think Twice Before You Remodel Yourself

Despite the popularity of home remodeling do-it-yourself (DIY) television shows, home owners should think twice before tackling a large remodeling project by themselves, cautions the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers Council. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, home owner DIY projects account for 20 percent of all remodeling and industry experts say that between 25 percent and 30 percent of their work comes from fixing DIY disasters.

“With the popularity of all of these shows dedicated to projects that home owners can do themselves, it is important that home owners understand that these shows hire professionals to do the work and make it look easy,” says Remodelers Council Chairman Don Novak, CGR, CAPS, CGB of Novak Construction Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “Embarking on a home project without the needed planning and expertise can be very expensive and can have a negative effect on home equity.”

While a motivated, skilled DIYer may do a remodel as well as a professional remodeler, you should ask yourself these questions first:

• Have you ever done this before?
• How much money will you really save? (To get a true sense of actual costs of a project, take what you think it will cost in time and money and multiply by three.)
• Will you know what to do when something goes wrong?

If you are willing to put the time and energy into a do-it-yourself home remodel, the Remodelers Council advises:

• Follow product directions;
• Get a detailed, illustrated home repair and maintenance book;
• Do very careful and thorough preparation: Set everything up and protect surrounding surfaces;
• Practice with the tools; and
• Follow safety procedures and use proper safety equipment.

While careful attention to detail and directions can help a DIYer with a successful remodel, the Remodelers Council warns against non-professionals attempting certain jobs because of the damage and life-threatening risk these projects can create. Think three times about these projects:

• Electrical – unless you are a licensed electrician do not attempt to rewire their home. If done improperly you can burn down your house.
• Structural Changes – removing or adding any walls or cutting holes into the roof, can compromise the structural integrity of your home and leave you with a really big hole in your roof.
• Plumbing – moving or adding pipes incorrectly can create a swimming pool in your home.

Remember, DIY should be fun. If you don't see it as fun then DDIY (don't do it yourself), hire a professional.

The Remodelers Council of the Home Builders Association of Metro Portland reminds you to only trust your dreams for your home to a qualified professional remodeler!