Home Services: Which to Spend Money on, Which to Add to Your DIY List

Whether you hire a professional or choose to go the DIY path, home improvement continues to be a booming business. Many people used the pandemic shutdown as a starting point for projects around the house. These efforts show no sign of letting up.
If you are in the market for a new home, seeing newly renovated features on the listings can be appealing. However,, it’s essential to be familiar with the most common home improvement projects and their possible pitfalls if they are not completed correctly. We’ve listed some of the most popular jobs here, along with common DIY mistakes for each one to look out for.
Landscaping

Sprucing up the yard remains one of the hottest home improvement trends right now. New decks or patios, outdoor kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms allow people to expand their living space. A well-manicured yard adds to the appeal and enjoyment of these outdoor features. But it takes time or money – sometimes a lot of both.
Most professionals will recommend leaving this work to them. That doesn’t stop homeowners from attempting it themselves. Some common DIY mistakes in this area include:
- Improper drainage
- Picking the wrong spot for plants/trees (trees can cause significant problems if roots spread and impact pipes or sprinkler systems, or if a homeowner plants them without regard to their full-grown size)
- Code violations for new decks or patios
Just one of these mistakes could end up costing you more than the cost of hiring a landscaper.
Kitchen Remodel

Remodeled kitchens are king when it comes to resale. Even if you’re not planning to sell, the appeal of an updated, welcoming kitchen never goes out of style. Home Depot estimates the cost anywhere between $24,000 and $136,000, depending on your taste and how much you decide to do yourself. This is another complicated project for the dedicated DIYer. Common mistakes you might find during your inspection are:
- Poor ventilation
- Faulty plumbing or electrical installation
- Appliances and floors installed incorrectly
Bathroom Remodel

Updated bathrooms are more than aesthetic people-pleasers: they can also increase a home’s efficiency. Older bathrooms might have outdated pipes, fixtures, or even host health risks like mold or mildew growth. Remodeling a bathroom may seem like a smaller project, but it’s still fraught with potential problems for homeowners who want to tackle it themselves. Keep your eye out for these DIY mishaps:
- Inadequate ventilation
- Bad drainage
- Sloppy tile installation (bathroom tile and grout must be watertight)
- Faulty mitering of baseboards
- Faulty plumbing and wiring
Windows/Doors

If people can’t get out into the great outdoors, they at least want a view of it. Hence the popularity of new windows. New windows and doors also increase a home’s energy efficiency. That said, they’re a pricey proposition. Homeowners may try to save money by doing the installation work themselves. Certainly possible, but you may spot these problems:
- Poor fit
- Faulty seals
- Incorrect use of spray foam
With a red-hot home improvement market, homeowners are doing some (or all) of the work themselves. It’s becoming more likely that home inspectors will see the results. Some of these well-intended DIYers could cut corners and make mistakes along the way. Before buying what appears to be a beautifully remodeled home, it’s essential to have a trained ASHI inspector check for common mistakes. It will save you a lot of money and headaches in the future.
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