We’re seeing a strong rise in the number of properties for sale this month – and with spring just around the corner, the trend is only going to get stronger.
Across America, we have 17% more properties on the market than 12 months ago.
Which means, many owners are about to up their DIY game, repairing problems around the home before a spring or summer sales campaign.
The topic of DIY is always a little vexed among agents.
Fundamentally, the best rule for DIY is to stay in your lane.
If you don’t like painting and lose patience with all the cutting-in, then hire a professional.
Once your home is open to buyers, they’ll immediately identify any DIY job that has been completed to a sub-optimal standard. When the time comes to negotiate, buyers will often leverage the need to remediate poor work to achieve a discount.
So, while you think you’re saving money by doing the work yourself, using the experts may be a better financial option.
I also believe owners should stay away from tasks that involve electricity and water – both carry obvious and potentially life-threatening risks, especially if you’re working in the bathroom or kitchen.
If you want to maximize your home’s value, sometimes you need to make a small investment in specialized contractors.
Here are a few DIY jobs to avoid:
Exterior painting: Gravity is the first issue that comes to mind. If you’re nervous on a ladder, and even more wobbly with paint tin and brush in hand, hire a professional.
Fixing the roof: This is the same deal as painting the exterior of your property. If you’re not confident with heights, you have no business being up there.
Light fixtures: Have you bought lights that need to be attached to the mains? Then, book an electrician. In some countries, it’s illegal to do it yourself. And there’s a reason for that. Don’t mess around with electricity. The same caution applies to installing ceiling fans.
Fencing: Some tasks are done so much faster by the professionals that it makes no sense to do them yourself. Brick-laying is a good example. Another is putting up a garden fence. Get two weekends of your life back and give that job to a contractor.
Stuck window: It’s amazing how many times a window must be removed from the brickwork to un-stick it. Sometimes, paint has caused the problem. Other times, a wall may have moved. This is a builder’s job.
Plaster and moldings: To get that perfect finish, you need to have some experience with plastering. If buyers see a shoddy job, it may turn them away.