Why a handyman is better for risky DIY projects

Doing a home maintenance project on your own seems like a great idea…until it’s not. Things that look simple on Pinterest can become complicated, cumbersome and sometimes even dangerous tasks. Not only can a DIY-gone-wrong cause more problems in your home than what you started with, but it can also put your health at risk.

Emergency rooms have seen an increase in power tool injuries due to home DIY projects inspired by TV shows and internet tutorials. These projects could cause injury simply because the average person doesn’t have the know-how or training to operate power tools. Some accidents might be covered by your homeowner’s insurance but not all.

While some of these injuries are small enough to not require emergency attention, it doesn’t take away from their impact: any injury, big or small, can throw a wrench into daily life at its best and potentially be life-altering at its worst. To avoid this, you may want to consider hiring a pro to help with the riskier projects and look for a handyman before you get started.

Can a DIY project really send you to the ER?

It may sound ridiculous to draw such conclusions, but injuries related to home projects are not unheard of, nor are they that uncommon. Nail guns alone trigger many visits to the emergency room each year; similar numbers of ER visits occur due to chainsaw accidents, lawn mowers and table saws.

A Pro is accustomed to any of these potentially-dangerous projects and he or she can easily tackle them, thanks to a few important factors:

1. A handyman has skills you may not have– A lot of home projects require some skill level. If you don’t have that expertise – especially when large power tools, utility disconnection or some other risk is involved — there is potential for injury and it’s probably better for you to find a professional.
2. He or she knows how to use the necessary tools– Some projects need more than a hammer and nails. You can go out and buy yourself a power saw, but you may need more than the instruction manual to learn how to master it. Without the proper equipment and without proper use of that equipment, seemingly easy projects can turn into precarious, or even unsafe, feats.
3. The handyman has experience in handling potentially dangerous situations: When a project automatically calls for a risk to your safety, such as climbing a ladder or disconnecting electricity, it’s a signal that an expert should do it instead. Plus, a professional Carries the right insurance for coverage in case something does go wrong.

Of course, not all DIY projects are dangerous, but there are many that are more ambitious than Pinterest makes them out to be. For that reason, we recommend that nobody attempt the following home maintenance projects on their own:

1. Roof repairs– Don’t just climb on the roof and start pulling it apart. Not only do you run the risk of damaging the roof further, but you could easily fall and hurt yourself.
2. Electrical repairs– There are a host of risks when dealing with live electricity and electrical wiring. People can put themselves at risk for shock and a job not completed correctly could start a fire down the line.
3. Knocking down walls– The average person doesn’t know which walls are load bearing and which have important plumbing and electrical running through them. Before you get out your sledgehammer, it’s best to have a professional make sure that you won’t compromise your home’s integrity – or cause a full-blown avalanche.

Although hiring a professional handyman may seem unnecessary when the instructions are in front of you, there’s one priceless reason to avoid giving it a shot: your family’s health and safety. Leaving out heavy materials and tools, particularly if you work full-time and cannot finish a project in a short time frame, can pose safety hazards to children and pets. Take an honest assessment of your time – are you truly able to commit to safely completing this project? If not, contact Harrell Contracting Services to learn how we can help you tackle the toughest projects in your home.