Stine Lumber in Lake Charles has the tools and parts you need for plumbing, painting, repair and remodeling projects. (Brad Puckett / American Press)
Stine Lumber in Lake Charles has the tools and parts you need for plumbing, painting, repair and remodeling projects. (Brad Puckett / American Press)
Know when to call pro for DIY projects
Last Modified: Monday, July 09, 2012 6:52 PM
By Anne Robicheaux / American Press
Everyone has their limits, but when should homeowners throw in the towel on do-it-yourself home repairs and contact a professional?
A few local experts share their opinions:
Sharon Broussard, office manager at Stine Lumber Co. in Lake Charles, said kitchen repairs and remodeling are two of the main things homeowners contract professionals to do. Major repairs, such as termite damage, should always be handled by professionals.
“Any kind of roof leaking or major water damage, you want to really call someone in who can... check out and make sure there’s not any damage below the surface,” Broussard said.
Minor plumbing problems, such as leaks or clogged drains, are repairs that homeowners can handle themselves.
Mike Hebert, president of SADE Construction, said that electrical upgrades should always be handled by professionals, because they “can be dangerous, if not done properly.”
Homeowners should also be wary of roofline changes.
“Extensive roofline changes... can cause a homeowner problems later. If they try and tie on to an existing roof and do it incorrectly, it can cause you a lot of roofing problems... They really need to be cautious about the wind load and what design their roof (is, because) it really hurts the value of the house,” Hebert said.
Patrick Healy, operations manager at The Home Depot in Lake Charles, said the recession has led to more do-it-yourself projects by homeowners in an effort to save money, there are some jobs that always require a professional.
“(Flooring is) an interesting part of our business. The flooring part of the business is something that we do really well with, because we install all different types of flooring: laminate, vinyl, hardwoord flooring. That’s something that we recommend that you have a professional do, because that’s something that you want done correctly,” Healy said.
He also said installation of kitchen and bathroom countertops, cabinets and doors are jobs that homeowners should “leave to the professionals.”
“One thing that I would say is a great thing for the customer that they can do by themselves and tackle would be blinds. Installing blinds in their home is a really cheap, easy way to dress up your entire home, and that’s something that I think most people can handle themselves.”
Repairs to faucets and toilets are also tasks that Healy feels homeowners can face alone.
Michael LeBlanc, president of Michael J. LeBlanc Construction Co. Inc. said concrete work, including work on driveways, and termite repairs are among the most common house repairs his company encounters.
He said more homeowners are choosing do-it-yourself home repairs, but “if they don’t have the tools or the equipment or if they don’t feel safe about it or if they don’t have the time,” then they should hire a contractor for the job.
“More people are trying to get by, due to the uncertainty of what the future holds. Very few people feel safe about their job,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc recommended that concrete repairs always be handled by a professional.
“Most people, even do-it-yourself-ers, don’t know how to do it properly, so that you don’t have problems in the future,” he said. Changes to painting, drywall and vinyl siding are all projects that homeowners can usually handle on their own, LeBlanc said.
For homeowners struggling with the question of whether or not to contact a professional, the National Association of the Remodeling
Industry, or NARI, offers a 17-question “Do It Yourself or Hire a Contractor?” quiz on its web site. Some of the points made and questions raised include the following:
• Do you have reliable work habits — meaning that once the project is started, will it get finished?
• Do you have all the tools needed and, more importantly, the skills required to do the job?
• Do you have the time that will be required to complete the project?
• Will it matter if the project remains unfinished for a period of time?
• Is this a job you can do completely by yourself or will you need assistance? If you do need assistance, what skill level is involved for your assistant?
• Are you familiar with your local building codes and permit requirements?
• What will you do if the project goes awry?
• Is it safe for you to do this project?
The complete quiz can be found at http://www.nari.org/homeowners/tips/doityourself.asp.
If a homeowner does decide to hire a contractor, there are several things he or she should keep in mind.
Through its website, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors provides advice for consumers looking to hire a contractor. Some of the items on its checklist for consumers include the following:
• Home improvement or remodeling projects totaling over $7,500 require state registration, and hazardous material or mold remediation projects totaling over $1 require state license.
• Get references for local contractors, and get at least three bids on the work to be done.
• Have a written contract and keep record of all payments. Never pay with cash.
• Do not make the final payment until you are satisfied with the job.
• Beware of contractor scams. Some indicators of a scam are pushing the consumer to make an immediate decision, demanding cash payment and using only a verbal contract.
The entire consumer checklist can be found at http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/public_education.htm.
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