When you are considering which home improvement projects to tackle, it’s important to determine what is best for you to take on, and what is best left to the professionals. While it helps to save money, sometimes, it’s not worth your time, or you may not have the expertise to do the job correctly. That could result in you spending more money in the long run. Here are some projects to consider doing yourself and others where you should call in the experts.

DIY projects to tackle:

• Painting
  If you’ve never painted before, it’s best to start in a small area to practice, or you may end up needing to hire a professional to fix your work afterward. Generally, painting a room isn’t too difficult, but it can be time consuming, as there is prep and cleanup involved. Aside from room or accent walls, here are some other painting projects you could consider taking on:
  
  
  • o Freshen up cabinets with a new shade. Here are our tips for how to select paint colors.
  • Update a bedroom dresser with a new color. If you are tired of your old bedroom furniture, you can give it a boost with some color or even a new wood stain.
  • Paint your front door a fresh, new color. Feel free to go bold to increase your curb appeal.
  • Paint the back of a bookshelf. This can add a pop of color behind books or knickknacks on the shelf.
  • Add some color over your head. Freshen up a bedroom headboard with a nice accent color, then tie that shade in with new bedding and pillow covers.
  • Add some color to your room with some bright chair spindles. It’s especially fun for chairs from a playroom set, kitchen chairs, or a desk chair.
  • Paint your trim. Swap out the white trim around windows and doors with a new color to give the room a little pop.

Before you start any project, make sure you have all the supplies needed, such as drop cloths, brushes (all sizes), rollers, edging tape, etc. Your local paint store or home improvement store should carry the gear you need.

• Planting a garden
  Whether you plant a full-blown garden or just some potted herbs, gardening is easy to do and can even be a relaxing hobby. Some gardeners like to use seeds to start the process, or you can purchase small seedlings. Do your research to determine the best time to plant, and make sure you space out the plants to allow room for growth. Also, a garden requires maintenance, so investigate an automatic watering system to save some time.

• Adding a bathroom or kitchen backsplash
  This is one project that you can easily take on, as some DIY backsplashes are easier to apply than glass or ceramic. Here are several options:
  
  
  • Laminate gets you a wood look without the price, and it’s also waterproof.
  • Self-stick options or wallpaper are easy to apply in one strip. Plus, there are a variety of designs you can try!
  • Decals can make your backsplash look like real tile by covering up what is already there. Select designs made from waterproof vinyl with faux grout lines can make it look like a more expensive option.
  • Veneer stone is an artificial tile that looks like real stone and is easy to install. Its multi-dimensional look helps bring depth to the area.
  • Subway tiles are even easier to install, as they are uniform in shape, so you don’t have to worry about sizes and lines.

• Power washing your house
  You can freshen up the outside of your home with a power wash. Use it on the home’s exterior, driveway, walkway, and patio to remove dirt, mud, and other buildup. This will make the outside look new and clean. You can easily rent a pressure washer from your local home store.

DIY projects to avoid:

• Redoing plumbing
  Plumbing work can be pretty tricky if you’re not sure what you’re doing. One false move, and you could cause a flood or—dangerously—electrocution, since electricity and plumbing in a kitchen or bathroom are often in close proximity. Small plumbing work, like changing the hardware on a faucet can be done, but it’s best to avoid taking on more complicated tasks.
• Roofing
  Just getting up on a roof can be dangerous, as there is a chance of losing your footing and falling either from the top of the roof or ladder getting up there. Plus, professionals know how and where to look for trouble spots such as mold, rot, or leaking, and they also have the right tools to do the job well and safely.
• Rewiring and installing light fixtures
  Electrical work can be risky, as there are safety considerations, such as knowing how and where to shut off the circuit breaker to prevent the potential for electric shock. Also, if you don’t know how to do the job, then you are at risk for serious electrical problems or even an electrical fire. In addition, you may not know what permits or building codes are needed for your town, and you’ll need to ensure that any work done would be up to code.
• Replacing windows
  If you don’t install windows correctly, there are a number of issues that can come as a result, including leaks, bugs, and loss of heat or air conditioning, which will impact your energy bills.
• Updating or swapping a gas line
  If you are deciding to swap a gas stove for an electric one, changing it over is a job for a professional. Improper assembly can result in gas leaks or issues with connectivity that could cause the stove to not function properly. Since gas is poisonous and highly flammable, consider taking this off your to-do list.
• Cutting down a tree
  Small shrubs or limbs are fine to chop yourself, but, unless you are completely certain that the tree won’t land on your house, car, or power lines, then it’s best to let a professional do the chopping for you. Plus, a tree service will cart away the wood and grind the stumps, so you won’t have to worry about cleanup.

Simple, modern DIY touches:

• Freshening up hardware
  Changing out knobs, towel holders, or shower heads with new items can be easily done. You could also freshen the area up further with accessories, like an updated soap dispenser, mats, and towels to match the new look. Make sure the hardware you buy fits the existing holes, or you could need to patch up, sand, and spackle after making a new hole. A more efficient shower head can save you money, so that’s a good project to tackle, and there are plenty of DIY videos about changing a shower head that are easy to follow.
• Updating light fixtures
  Just swapping out lighting, like a new hanging light or side table lamp for a new style can make a big change in how a room looks and feels. Even changing out the wattage of a bulb or using a daylight bulb instead of a yellow one can alter the feel of a room.
• Changing your curtains or blinds
  Whether you want to add light or reduce it, new curtain or blind colors can help change the look of a room with minimal effort. It’s pretty simple to install curtains or blinds yourself. Just make sure you have the correct hardware and be sure to measure properly.
• Adding art
  Creating a gallery of art, such as paintings, posters, decals, and photos can bring warmth to a room. Look for different designs and textures to reflect your style. You can also try adding an accent mirror to help make a room look larger. Make sure you have strong enough hooks to hold heavier pieces, and measure and lay everything out before you start drilling holes.

There are so many possibilities for DIY home improvement projects while we all have the time, but it’s important to not bite off more than you can chew. Sometimes, it’s worth bringing in a professional to help save you time and frustration, and it may save you money, as well, if a mistake causes you to hire a professional to fix any damage.

If you’re in need of extra funds for a bigger project, consider a cash out refinance. We have loan advisors that can walk you through the process as you consider whether or not it’s a good choice for your situation. Best of luck with your next do-it-yourself endeavor! We’d love to see what you do. Tag @freedommortgage on social media to show off your latest DIY project!