Carrying Out Construction Work

Posted on: 7 March 2018

In a bid to save money, some people choose not to hire contractors to help them with their home renovations. However, unless you are an experienced and highly knowledgeable tradesperson, it is not a good idea to take a DIY approach to renovating your property. Read on to find out why.

You may end up making a serious mistake

If you decide to renovate your home without any professional assistance, you could end up making a major error which could have serious, long-term consequences.

For example, if when renovating your bathroom you fail to properly seal the shower or bath area, the water that seeps into the unsealed area each time you bathe could end up inflicting lasting damage on your home.

It could, for example, lead to dampness developing in this area of your property which could, in turn, encourage the growth of toxic mould.

If this water comes into contact with any of the timber joists, trusses or studs that make up your home's structural framework, it could also lead to wood-decay fungi, such as wet rot, growing on the surfaces of these components.

If this happens, the structural integrity of the framework may end up being compromised to the point where your home develops major structural problems.

Fixing this type of extensive damage could be extremely expensive and time-consuming. Any mould which grows as a result of the damp problem could also put you and your family members' health at risk.

When you consider the possible ramifications of taking a DIY approach, the cost of hiring a contractor to help you with your home renovations seems like a very small price to pay.

It might not be safe

Renovation work of any kind can be quite hazardous; it often involves working at a height, using sharp tools and handling potentially-toxic chemicals.

If you have never done this type of work before and as a result of this, are unfamiliar with the safety precautions you need to take when carrying it out, there is a risk that you could end hurting yourself.

For example, if you fail to properly ventilate the area in which you are using paint-thinning solvents, you could end up inhaling large quantities of the fumes emitted by these chemicals. This could result in you becoming very ill (solvents of this kind can cause extreme nausea and headaches).

Likewise, if you make a mistake when using a circular saw (for instance, if you use it on an unstable surface or do not wear high-grip gloves when holding it) it could fall and land on your foot. This could leave you with a deep, potentially fatal wound.

As such, if you want to avoid sustaining a serious injury or becoming ill, it's worth hiring a contractor to handle your home renovations.