Home Improvements

We're all for rolling up our sleeves to save money but sometimes it’s best to leave it to a professional

PAINTING CABINETS

Choosing the perfect colour is the least of your problems if you’re planning on painting your own kitchen cabinets. “Painting kitchen cabinets is a lot trickier than a bedroom dresser,” says building contractor Newell Slade. “Often there is a build-up of cooking grease and finger oils on the surface of the wood. Prep means extensive cleaning with a degreasing agent and using oilbased paint fed through a sprayer.”

MALFUNCTIONING SINK PIPES

Pouring in some drain cleaner didn’t get the water flowing again – but it’s clear the pipe under the sink is clogged. However, if you don’t have prior experience with dismantling and reassembling pipes, you’re best to leave this job to a plumber. “Pipes are complex and very tricky to reassemble,” says plumbing expert Doyle James.

INSTALLING A DISHWASHER

Hiring a pro to install your new dishwasher is definitely worth the money. “You may have to drill into a cabinet for the water lines, position the electric lines and more.”

LOW WATER PRESSURE

This issue is sometimes easily fixed. Removing the aerator and cleaning out the gunk may do the trick, but if it doesn’t, then call in the pros. “You could have a fractured pipe, eroded water line or water leak in the system,” says James.

NEW LIGHTING

Installing light fixtures may seem easy, but a lot can go wrong. “There’s a real possibility of getting an electric shock,” says construction expert Jesse Fowler. “Safety and fire concerns make electrical DIY projects a bad idea.” In addition, wiring anything incorrectly can lead to more costly repairs.