Three Home Renovations to Leave to the Pros

Starting a home renovation can be exciting! And expensive. And time-consuming. If you don't have the right expertise for any kind of home renovation, there's only one step you need to take: call a professional.

Every homeowner knows they should call a contractor when adding on to their home, but what about the smaller projects?

Do it Yourself... or Not
It's easy to get inspired by all the great real estate and home improvement shows on TV. Fantastic renovations, engaging before-and-afters, and amazing dream houses can motivate us to think about making changes to our own homes.

Many of these shows offer great advice to homeowners, including Over Your Head, with host Eric Stromer, about pitfalls to avoid with home remodeling. As you think about renovations, what not to do is as important as what to do.

Painting, shelving, decorating, rearranging--these are all pretty safe, do-it-yourself projects. Here are a few other projects that you should definitely leave to the professionals:

1. Foundations
   If your home is built on expansive clay, or if the soil is incorrectly compacted under or around your home, your foundation could need repair. A contractor certified in foundation repair is the only choice in this scenario.
2. Electricity
   Residential electricians are particularly handy, at everything from fuses and panels to wiring and outlets. Updating your home's electrical systems or making even minor repairs should be left to the professionals.
3. Plumbing
   This may seem like an obvious one, but many homeowners attempt plumbing repairs and end up with much more damage than when they started. Preventative maintenance is all you should take on as a homeowner. Leave anything else to the pros.

Sources
Concrete Network, What Causes Foundations and Slabs to Sink?
NewsOK, TV host Eric Stromer averts do-it-yourselfers’ disasters, by Robert Sharoff
Residential Electricians, Electrical Installations & Electrical Maintenance