Sometimes you need a professional
No matter how well-maintained your house is, there are always more jobs to be done.
Many of them can be taken care of with some enthusiastic DIY, but there are times when the only option is to call in someone with qualifications and professional experience.
Here are some home improvements you can take on yourself – and a few you shouldn’t even try.
Try These
Loft insulation
This is a great one to start off with, and it’s a brilliant way to improve the comfort of your home and increase its resale value.
Loft insulation is proven to make your house cosier and, so long as you take care while laying the fiberglass, it’s entirely possible to do it yourself.
Flooring
Flooring sounds like it might be a nightmare, but if you’re working with a solid surface that’s level and damp-proof, there’s no reason why you can’t change out your old floor for a new one.
Ripping up old carpeting or lino and replacing it with a nice laminate floor – or vice-versa – will dramatically change the feel of the house and is something you can do yourself.
Painting
If you’re looking for a fresh new look to your home, painting walls, ceilings and trims is a great place to start.
Provided there aren’t any major issues with damp or damaged walls, painting is not only a good DIY job, but it’s something the whole family can pitch in with.
Wallpapering is another good one, or if you’re particularly creative why not try a mural?
Patio
Using little more than a spade, some gravel and a few flagstones you can turn your garden into a sophisticated patio, ideal for enjoying those precious sunny Irish days.
Once you’ve laid the flagstones, you’ll need some nice patio furniture, too, as well as laying in some pretty-but-low-maintenance flowering plants. Perfect.
New windows
This won’t apply to everyone, but for most recent builds the windows are almost as easy to switch out as Lego.
So, if you feel like you’re not getting the insulation you should be, or even if you just don’t like the look of the windows you have, this can be a relatively straightforward job.
Do be careful though – the last thing you want is broken glass all over your nice new patio!
Don’t try
Roofing
We’ve all got that relative – usually an uncle/cousin/dad with delusions – who sees a leak in the roof and reckons he can shin up the drainpipe and have it fixed in a jiffy. Unless he’s an actual roofer – don’t let him!
Roofing is not only particularly dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s easy to make things a whole lot worse. This is definitely one where you need a pro.
(Almost) anything plumbing-related
When it comes to plumbing, there are things you can take care of yourself. Replacing showerheads, that kind of thing.
If you’re going to be messing about with connecting toilets, washing machines or radiators we recommend calling somebody.
You never know, you could get lucky, but it only takes one missing washer to have your basement double as an indoor swimming pool.
Anything electrical
Simple rule of thumb for jobs involving electricity: If it’s more complicated than replacing a lightbulb, you probably shouldn’t do it yourself.
Safety first.
Talk to Letterkenny Credit Union!
Whether it’s a large-scale DIY project or a job for the professionals, home improvements can be expensive. However, help is on hand. If you’re looking for a loan, it might be time for a Credit ReUnion.
Talk to your Letterkenny Credit Union today about a flexible home improvement loan or visit our website on www.letterkennycu.ie
