Renovation jobs you should leave for a professional to complete

Many of us during lockdown have been tackling the maintenance projects we had been putting off, but some jobs are better left to professionals. Here’s what they are.

As we hunker down in our homes, many of us have been finally tackling the maintenance projects we had been putting off, be they long-awaited repairs or small projects around the house that suddenly require our urgent attention.

But trade experts advise that while it is tempting to save money and also hone some practical skills, some jobs are best left to the professionals.

These include jobs such as plumbing, roof repairs and electrical work.

Data by online trade hiring platform hipages shows that there has been a surge in requests for specific categories of trades across the country such as carpentry, tiling, fencing and the instalment of gas heaters and airconditioning.

Construction boss Jonathan Hayes said people can still post jobs online through the hipages platform, and tradies can continue to accept job leads. Picture: Supplied

“The increase in the number of transactions through our platform has shown that the demand for tradies is still very strong,” said chief customer officer Stuart Tucker of hipages. “We encourage homeowners to save money and time and use qualified, licensed tradespeople to get the job done right the first time.”

Social distancing means staying at a safe distance from tradies working on your home.

You should also offer the tradie the opportunity to wash their hands at the start and end of the job.

Kai Zhao and Allison Liang have used the time to tackle various projects around their home.

While every renovation has its own set of challenges and triumphs, the couple had to decide what parts of their home they could DIY and which tasks required a professional.

“We hired tradies from electricians and plumbers to carpenters,” Mr Zhao said. “The bathroom was the most challenging as we needed the plumbing to be redone along with new concrete floors. We also had a roofing specialist to install skylights to get a more sun-drenched feel.”

The couple had the opportunity to tweak some of the finishes themselves. They painted most of the rooms, replaced the blinds and lights and retiled the bathroom and laundry.

“We stripped the tiles and painted the walls ourselves,” Mr Zhao said. “We even stripped the entire front garden and laid down paving and new shrubs.”

Kai Zhao and Allison Liang have used the time during the COVID-19 pandemic to tackle various projects around their home. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Construction boss Jonathan Hayes said people can still post jobs online through the hipages platform, part-owned by News Corp Australia, and tradies can continue to accept job leads.

“Several projects around the home, including plumbing, electrical, asbestos removal and structural works require tradesmen who are licensed and insured and know what they are doing,” Mr Hayes said.

DIY renovations can challenge relationships but for Mr Zhao, theirs offered a crash course in how to compromise. “The hardest job was agreeing on the design and picking the right products,” he said. “Some ideas took a bit of convincing for me but we agreed on a modern look and feel.” Ms Liang said: “It’s extremely rewarding as it gives you self accomplishment and you can relax afterwards in a space you’ve influenced.”

RENO JOBS BEST LEFT TO AN EXPERT

Plumbing: Burst water pipes, sewage leaks or a leaking tap can affect the structural integrity of your home. If a job like this isn’t taken care of by a professional in a timely manner, the issue will only get worse.

Electrical work: Faulty electrics can cause further damage, power outages and even fires in extreme cases. Ensure you call in a licensed electrician to take care of the job. Never attempt to do your own electrical work.

Roof repairs: As with many repair jobs, the longer you leave them the worse they’ll become. Something like a small leak may result in significant water damage if not attended to.

Gas leaks: If one of your gas appliances is leaking or if carbon monoxide is discharging from a gas appliance, the one and only step you can take is to turn off the gas in your home. The rest should be left for a tradesperson.

Asbestos removal: If you identify or even suspect you have asbestos in or around your home, you should call in the experts.