We all like to think we’re capable workers. Sometimes this confidence can lead us to take on challenges that might be a little out of our wheelhouse.
Replacing windows in a home can be a very difficult task. Successful installation of new windows can require serious knowledge and experience from the individual doing the installation. And yet, the temptation to save a few bucks and take the DIY method looms large in front of many homeowners.
Taking this route can be a serious mistake. Read on, and we’ll share a few reasons why you shouldn’t attempt DIY window replacement.
DIY Methods Can Be Risky
No one goes through life without a little bit of risk, but that doesn’t mean you should intentionally put yourself in harm’s way. And yet, that’s what many homeowners do year after year with their various home improvement projects.
Hundreds of thousands of people face serious injuries each year that are sustained attempting to do home renovation work. It can be all too easy to see a professional home renovator at work and to think: “I could do that.”
What we often fail to realize is how much their education and experience contributed to their safety in getting the job done.
This is especially true when it comes to window replacement, where one is dealing with potentially dangerous glass materials. If you have to factor in the cost of expensive medical treatment to your DIY job, it’s probably no longer cheaper than hiring a professional.
Keep yourself safe and out of danger by avoiding DIY window work yourself.
You’ll Never Be Faster Than A Professional
So, you’re willing to take on the risk of injury if it means doing this task yourself. But that’s not the only consideration that should impact your decision whether or not to DIY.
Let’s not forget that removing and replacing windows is a wildly disruptive task. In the period in which you’re working, your home will be open and vulnerable to the outside world. That means an entry for all sorts of outdoor materials, bugs, and even animals.
It also means massive energy loss for your home. Keeping your home cool or warm during the time you’re working will be practically impossible with a window sized hole in your wall.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s hard to predict just how long it may take you to complete your DIY window replacement. But the longer you take, the more you leave your home vulnerable and inefficient.
Even prior to the actual installation, a DIY job will begin to eat up many hours of your time. The amount of research that needs to be done, the many trips to the store to acquire the right materials… it can all very quickly add up. You yourself will have to decide how much you value your time, but a DIY job can quickly spiral into a huge responsibility.
Bringing a professional in can help avoid this problem. They can get the job done in the blink of an eye and you can return to your life with new windows in place.
Everyone Makes Mistakes
You might think you’re capable of doing no wrong, but let’s be honest: everyone can make mistakes. And it might only be halfway through your DIY quest that you realize you don’t have all the information you should.
When it comes to making mistakes, window replacement is not an ideal area. Mistakes when installing windows can be expensive at best, and downright dangerous at worst.
Visible gaps in placement or poorly integrated trim can be aesthetical nightmares. Self-installation can also produce cracks and gaps that will drain and leak heat or cold air out of your home. An inexperienced individual might not even be able to tell when they’ve made a mistake.
That means you could be leaking out energy or putting your family in danger without even recognizing the issues you may have created.
Worst of all, self-installation almost certainly void any warranty that you might have with the window manufacturer. You could also get yourself in hot water with the Homeowner’s Association if there exists one in the neighborhood in which you live.
Some neighborhoods require an insured and licensed professional to do all home renovation work. Windows contribute a great amount to the curb appeal of a home, and as such Homeowners Associations frequently regulate the appearance and aesthetics of the homes in their jurisdiction.
Any sort of sloppy handmanship and they’ll likely force you to start the project again from the beginning.
That means if you don’t do the job right, they’ll be no other choice but to pony up even more money to have someone fix it all up for you. Though you may be reluctant to bring in a professional at first, the peace of mind and reliability they can bring is well worth the extra cost.
The Risks of DIY Window Replacement
It can be tempting to save a few dollars in your monthly budget and take on your home’s window replacement on your own.
But DIY window replacement comes with its own share of risks and dangers you need to be aware of. In many cases, DIY methods can end up costing you more than if you just hired a professional to begin with.
Need help with renovations to your home? Contact us for assistance or a free estimate.
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