House Calls: DIY project drawbacks

Do-it-yourself work accounts for 37 percent of all home remodeling projects in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Census Bureau.

The growing popularity of cable television channels with programming dedicated to home improvement including HGTV and the DIY Network, as well as the financial pressure of the economic downturn, may be inspiring home owners to take on home fixes and decorating challenges on their own.

However, it is important that homeowners consider the safety risks, time delays and hidden costs before attempting DIY home improvements.

Remodeling industry professionals report that about 30 percent of their work comes from fixing DIY debacles.

A homeowner should consider the worst case scenario of a DIY project and ask, "If this happens, would I be able to fix it?"

If the answer is no, a professional remodeler is the right choice.

Consumers are cautioned not to take on more than they are capable of doing both in terms of time and skill. There are relatively simple home projects that professional remodelers believe can be completed by DIYers such as hanging pictures, interior painting, caulking and changing door knobs and cabinet pulls. Homeowners with the correct tools and a higher skill level should be able to tackle some aesthetic work such as installing crown molding.

But here are some of the factors homeowners should consider before undertaking a DIY home improvement project:

DIY projects often take longer than expected, and trying to complete a project in the evenings or weekends could mean living with a home in disarray for weeks or months.

Hiring a professional means you will have a contract with a completion date and that the remodeler will bring in whatever help is necessary to get the job finished on time - and to deal with any unexpected issues that come up.

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House Calls: DIY project drawbacks