Services: Do-it-Yourself/DIY
As homeowners deal
with economic pressure, many are trying to save money by doing jobs around the
house themselves. Often, they end up with disastrous – and more expensive –
results.
An Angie’s List
(www.angieslist.com) member poll
conducted late last week, found 83 percent of respondents go the do-it-yourself
route because they want to save money. However, one in five who attempted a DIY
project themselves still had to call in a pro to finish the job, and in many
cases, undo the damage they had done.
“One of our members
installed his own deck, but the problem came later, when he realized he installed
the planks upside down,” said Angie’s List founder Angie Hicks. “Hence, the wood began to warp and has become
a tripping hazard. Needless to say, that
member is now calling in a professional to redo the job.”
More than a few
DIYers ended up in the ER, including one member who nearly cut his fingers off
with a table saw. In a turn of events worthy of a prime time sitcom, he ran to
the bathroom, tripped and hit his head on the deck he was trying to build,
ending up with a twisted ankle, three cut fingers and a concussion.
More than 60 percent of Angie’s List
members are planning a home improvement project this year, and nearly a third
of them are planning to do the work themselves.
“Frankly, I’m a little worried,” said
Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Members are telling us they’ve staple-gunned
themselves to their siding, fallen off ladders and cut themselves with chainsaws.
DIY can be dangerous.”
A 2007 Center for Injury Research and Policy study show that
136,000 Americans will end up in the emergency room due to ladder-related
injuries this year. Nail guns sent 35,000 Americans to the E. R. last year,
according to Duke
University.
“There are many, many projects that virtually anyone can
safely handle,” Hicks said. “The trick is to know what you personally, can
handle in terms of your health, your ability and your tool box. Sometimes,
you’re just better off calling in a well-regarded pro who has all the tools he
needs and plenty of experience to boot.”
According to the Angie’s List member poll, nearly one in 10 respondents
confess that they’ve injured themselves while attempting a DIY. Some examples,
verbatim, from the poll:
- “I
just nearly blinded myself on Saturday -- moved a 12 foot ladder w/ a 10
pound hammer on top of it -- the hammer fell and bounced off my shoulder
and then off my face. I look pretty.”
- “Don't
go up on ladders or in the attic when jetlagged. It cost my husband
27 stitches in the head.”
- “While
I held the tree limb my father-in-law used a chain saw to cut it. The saw cut through so fast and my arm
was in the way and it got nicked (not off). Off to the ER with only a very close
call.”
- “An
extension ladder slipped backward underneath me causing a 10-12 foot
fall. Treated at emergency
room. Out of work for a week.”
- “My husband
always ends up with various bruises and cuts after working on home
improvement projects; not to mention the frequent bruised ego when things
don't work out.”
“Even a project that seems simple can result in extra costs
– from fixing the repair you started to make but actually made worse – to the
costs of having an ER doc remove that nail or staple you shot into your arm, or
treating broken bones from falls,” Hicks said.
3
questions to ask before tackling any project yourself:
- What experience (if any) do I have? Just because you’re
not afraid to take on a project – doesn’t mean you should. Be realistic
about your skills. Not having the expertise could lead to additional costs
and work. Also, you might find it difficult to find a contractor who will
fix your snafu.
- Do I have the time? Many home improvement projects take
weeks rather than days. Measure the inconvenience against the cost of
hiring a professional.
- Do I have the right tools? Consider what special tools
you’ll need for your project. If you have to go out and buy a power saw,
but don’t plan to use it again in the future, it probably won’t be a very
good investment.
When it comes time to
choose a contractor, start with these 3 tips:
- Call
at least three contractors: Check references and/or business standing on
Angie’s List or similar services before hiring anyone. Be cautious of
contractors who give you a post office box with no street address, or use
only an answering service.
- Communicate
your ideas: Explain what updates/repairs you want done to your home. Even
rough ideas on paper are better than nothing at all. It will give a
potential contractor a better sense of what your expectations are and what
you are hoping to accomplish.
- Get estimates: Once you’ve described your project,
take the time to get at least a few different estimates for your job. And
get it in writing – documentation is often the best ammunition you have if
things go wrong.
Angie’s List is where thousands
of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies
in more than 425 different categories. Currently, more than 750,000 consumers
across the U.S.
rely on Angie’s List to help them find the right contractor or company for the
job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or
phone; receive the award-winning Angie’s List magazine, which includes articles
on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they
can utilize the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Get more information
about Angie’s List at http://www.angieslist.com View the latest Angie's List News Releases in our Press Center and read Angie’s blog at http://www.angiehicksblog.com.