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It’s tempting to try to tackle every home repair project on your own. After all, it can save you money and give you a sense of satisfaction. But there are some projects that are best left to the professionals.

Here are some common home repair tasks and when to DIY or hire a pro:

Know the two categories of home repairs

Home repairs can be divided into two categories: emergencies and everything else. Emergencies are those repairs that simply cannot wait, like a broken water heater or clogged toilet. For these types of repairs, you’ll need to call in a professional right away. A reliable Wenonah roofing contractor would advise including roof damage as an emergency repair. Repair of roof leaks and other damages should not be ignored or put off at a later time due to health and safety purposes. Everything else can generally wait until you have the time and resources to tackle the project yourself. For most non-emergency home repair tasks, it’s up to you to decide whether to DIY or hire a professional. There are pros and cons to both approaches. Doing it yourself will obviously save you money, but it may take longer and be more challenging than you anticipated. Hiring a professional will get the job done quickly and correctly, but it will cost you.

The severity of the repair

If the repair is a quick fix, like unclogging a toilet, fixing a loose doorknob, or fixing a leaky faucet, then it’s probably something you can do yourself. However, if the repair is more complicated, like fixing a broken pipe or repairing water damage, then you’ll need to hire a professional.

The type of repair

Some repairs are simply too complicated for the average homeowner. If you’re not confident in your ability to complete the repair, it’s best to hire a professional. Here are some common home repair tasks and whether you should DIY or hire a pro:

• Replacing a light fixture: This is a relatively easy task that most people can do themselves. However, if you’re not comfortable working with electricity, it’s best to leave this one to the pros.
• Fixing a leaky faucet: This is another fairly easy repair that you can usually do yourself. However, if the leak is coming from a pipe, you’ll need to call a plumber.
• Installing a new toilet: This is a job that’s best left to the professionals. Plumbers have the experience and knowledge to properly install toilets, and they can also take care of any other plumbing issues that may arise.
• Painting your home: This is a task that many people choose to DIY, and it’s usually not too difficult. However, if you’re not comfortable with painting or don’t have the time to do it yourself, you can always hire a professional painter.

Your skill or experience level

If you’ve never attempted a particular type of repair before, it’s probably not the best idea to start with your own home as the test case. Hiring a professional will give you peace of mind that the job will be done right the first time. If you’re handy and have experience with home repairs, then you may be able to handle some projects yourself. But if you’re not confident in your abilities, then it’s better to hire a professional.

The time factor

If you have the time to do the repair yourself, then go for it.  If you’re short on time or just don’t feel like dealing with a repair, hiring a professional is probably your best bet. Keep in mind, though, that many professionals will charge an emergency fee for repairs that need to be done quickly. With that, here’s a good rule of thumb you can follow: If the repair is going to take more than two hours to complete, then it’s probably something you should hire a professional to do. However, if the repair is going to take less than two hours to complete, then it’s probably something you can do yourself.

The cost factor

Of course, the cost is always a consideration when deciding whether to DIY or hire a pro. In general, simple repairs are going to be less expensive than complex ones. And doing the work yourself will obviously be cheaper than hiring someone else to do it. But sometimes it’s worth paying a little extra to have the job done right. Here’s a good rule of thumb: If the repair is going to cost more than $100, then it’s probably something you should hire a professional to do. However, if the repair is going to cost less than $100, then it’s probably something you can do yourself.

So, there you have it. Some factors to consider when deciding whether to DIY or hire a professional for your home repair needs. As with anything, there are pros and cons to both approaches. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what’s best for you and your situation.