Illustration by Sean Gallagher.
Question:
What are the most common DIY projects that you should not do yourself? What must be hired out?
? Originally asked by Jay Bazuzi
Answer: Domestic Gas Piping
Seems like it's trivial to connect a stove to the pipeline in an apartment?buy a pipe and two thunks, play with a wrench?what could be easier?
Then you overtighten or undertighten some nut or use a wrong type of thunk and you've got a gas leak and possibly a devastating explosion. Saved 30 to 100 bucks but destroyed your own and others' property and possibly killed and injured people. Bad Idea.
? Answered by sharptooth
Answer: Garage Doors
This reminds me of this question. Garage doors. The tension stored in those springs is pretty dangerous. Make a wrong move while tensioning the springs and it could take your arm off.
? Answered by Eric Petroelje
Answer: No-Fun Projects
You should never do the stuff that's not fun to do. It took me a while to learn this, but unless you truly love hanging sheetrock, for instance, assume a pro will get that portion of your project done 10x faster than you ever would. That's well worth the money, IMHO.
I put roofing on that list. It's certainly a DIYable task, but a pro roofing team can redo your roof in one day. That's a good thing.
? Answered by DA01
Answer: Bricklaying & Plastering
My very handy father completely rebuilt a house, doing absolutely everything himself or with family assistance (I recall tiling a roof) except for a couple of large repetitive do-it-right-first-time jobs which he could do himself but he knew an experienced professional team would get done much better and much faster: bricklaying and plastering.
? Answered by Mark Roberts
Answer: HVAC Work
Particularly the internals of the system. A heat pump is one of the most complicated pieces of equipment in a modern home. And there's plenty of warranty issues involved if you are not an authorized reseller.
? Answered by msemack
Answer: Refinishing a Bathtub (In Place)
"It's just body work?I've done this a dozen times." Incredibly messy, hard to clean up, a ton of cramped work, and even with good ventilation?just an awful job. I saved my mom a few bucks, but never again.
On the other hand, I did try one of these paints on a bathtub I want to replace. It's been a year, still looks good. Gets horrible reviews though?I may have been lucky or used a different brand.
? Answered by Steve Jackson
Answer: Know What Can Go Wrong
Homeowners should never do anything where they cannot list 3-5 ways in which it could go wrong.
? Answered by Eric Gunnerson
Answer: When in Doubt, Ask an Expert
I'm a general contractor, and I make a living of correcting problems created by home owners trying to save a buck or two. Reading and researching online is great, but no substitute for experience and the proper tools for the job. The cost of fixing a botched job is always more than doing it right the first time, not to mention the agravation and possible safety hazards created. WHEN IN DOUBT CALL A PROFESSIONAL, or become good friends with a competent general contractor and ask for advice like my family and friends do all the time!
? Answered by shirlock homes
Need help on a project? Check out Lifehacker's list of "Don't Do It Yourself" resources here.
Think you know what you should never do DIY? Have a different DIY question? Bring your expertise to Stack Exchange?a network of Q&A sites on diverse topics from software programming to Apple and Android to scientific skepticism...and plenty in between.
Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/TljF9fka11w/what-projects-should-never-be-diy
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