We get it. With Youtube on tap it’s easy to think you can take care of anything around the home without needing to call on the services of a ‘professional’ - and while changing a lightbulb is probably okay for a bit of DIY, installing a new light switch isn’t.
What is safe?
From things like painting, to putting up curtains and laying down pavers - there is little-to-no-risk to your safety, and nothing can go too wrong with the job itself (except for a potentially less-than-polished finish). So these things are all fine to tackle with a bit of DIY. Just use your common sense to take care of the simple jobs around the house.
What type of result are you after?
Leading on from the point above, you need to consider what result you are looking for. While a job can seem simple enough - sometimes there are some hidden skills required, which you may not realise until you’re halfway through and things aren’t looking too great.
If you want to paint a bedroom or two to just refresh the look, then it might be a small task you want to tackle yourself. But if the whole interior of your home needs an update, and you may be looking to put it on the market, hiring a professional painter is probably a good choice to make so that you can get a really good finish. This can actually make a difference to the value of your home - as appearances do count when potential buyers come knocking.
What isn’t safe?
When it comes to most things that involve water, gas or electricity - you’ll find they aren’t safe DIY jobs to try and take care of yourself. These can be extremely dangerous, and could result in serious injury to yourself or someone else.
Yes, you might see that putting in a new light switch is just connecting up a few wires - but there are a number of things that could go wrong if you don’t use the right techniques, equipment, or understand how everything is connected up to work in a house. You have the potential to blow out your power, start a fire, or even get an electric shock. There are some Government guidelines on the electrical jobs you can take care of in your own home, but even then these should only be carried out with a proper knowledge of the task at hand.
The above applies to all kinds of plumbing and gas fitting work as well, with gas a particularly hazardous element to work with - that is why people have to have specific qualifications to be able to install it, and undertake repairs/maintenance.
But it's not always the obvious stuff that can cause injury, with ACC stating that falling off ladders and scaffolding are two of the most common DIY accidents.
So whatever jobs you decide to do - make sure you take all safety precautions.
What is actually illegal?
Even if you do have an understanding of what is required to carry out some DIY tasks - there are actually many which are illegal to do so without a qualification. Again this applies to a lot of electrical, gas and plumbing jobs around the home. Plenty of people have been fined over carrying out illegal DIY work in and around their home - like this lady who installed her own gas hob - so it’s not worth the risk to your life, or your wallet, by not calling in a professional when required.
When it comes to building work that would normally require a licensed building practitioner to do, i.e. structural or weathertightness, there is a owner-builder exemption that you can apply for - check out more information here.
It’s not illegal, but it’s not advised...
Just because some DIY work isn’t illegal - it doesn’t necessarily mean you should pick up a hammer or spade and get to it.
There are still risks involved in any jobs you carry out, and it is advisable to think ahead before getting stuck in. For example - digging big holes in the backyard. Do you know where drainage pipes are? What about cables or other service lines? It certainly isn’t like finding buried treasure when striking a sewer main - so get some expert advice before you try to dig out anything more than a shallow garden bed.
Thinking about knocking down a wall to create open plan living? Stop! It could be structural, or be hiding a nasty secret (think: asbestos). Again, it’s best to bring in a professional before getting too 'gung-ho' about the job.
Have you also thought about things that might seem like a bit of simple DIY - but they actually require consent from your local council? This could involve things like erecting a structure, building a deck over 1.5 metres from ground level, or putting in a retaining wall over 1.5 metres in height.
DIY is in our Kiwi DNA - but it doesn’t mean we’re always that good at it. So know your limits, and if in doubt, call in a professional.
Looking to prepare your home for the market? Download our free guide for handy hints and advice on what you need to do.
