Leave it to the professionals
We’re all for rolling up our sleeves and saving money when it comes to DIY home improvements. But all the home reno binge watching and YouTube videos don’t necessarily make us pros.
Painting kitchen cabinets
Choosing the perfect colour is the least of your problems if you’re planning to paint your own kitchen cabinets. “What many people don’t know is that painting kitchen cabinets are a lot trickier than a bedroom dresser,” says Newell Slade, a building contractor. “Often, there is a build-up of cooking grease and finger oils on the surface of the wood. Prep means extensive cleaning with a degreasing agent such as diluted TSP and using oil-based paint, fed through a sprayer.” For flawless results, this home improvement is quite an undertaking and involves specialised equipment and safety measures than most homeowners don’t realise. A skilled painter knows how to paint cabinets in a timely fashion with beautiful results.
DIY custom jobs
“Homeowners typically fail at DIY projects that require intimate knowledge of a process that a professional would take great care in completing; typically something that is beneath the surface, where they’re more focused on the final cosmetic appearance,” says Brian C. McHugh, owner of McHugh Construction. “A homeowner wanted to save money by forming their own custom shower pan and curb. They did not install the membrane correctly, resulting in water leaking below the shower and damaging the sub-floor and drywall below,” says McHugh. Unfortunately, much of the project had to be re-done, costing the homeowner a large chunk of change. The desire to customise your own home improvement project defeats the purpose of saving money unless your skill set is keen. “If you don’t know what you’re doing and it has the potential of going south quickly, just hire a professional,” recommends McHugh.
DIY or tradie? Follow these guidelines for your next bathroom renovation.