Expectations Vs. Reality: Misconceptions About DIY Projects

Do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement websites and home makeover TV shows paint a rosy picture of home renovation; they make it seem so easy, encouraging homeowners to do it themselves. However, reality paints a different picture. A survey of 2000 homeowners found 14% of homeowners attempted DIY projects “for fun,” but most ended up disappointed with their work.

Howard Roofing & Home Improvements & Home Improvements, a top roofing company in the state, lists down the common misconceptions about DIY renovations.

Saving More Money

More than half of the respondents conducted DIY renovations to save money, but one in three homeowners had to hire a professional to redo their work either because it didn’t look good, didn’t function well, or didn’t hold up over time. Some homeowners also had to pay more than what they would have if they hired a contractor initially because of the damage caused by faulty roofing installations.

On top of the repair costs, some had to pay medical costs, with a number of homeowners injuring themselves while installing windows.

Taking on a Challenge

The rosy portrayal of renovation work combined with the multitude of DIY tutorial videos on Youtube spurred some homeowners to take on DIY renovation as a challenge. However, online resources are no substitute for the experience roofers have acquired over a number of years. Without this experience, roughly half of the respondents found DIY projects to be physically and technically harder than anticipated. And all of this resulted in shoddy installations that took far longer than expected.

Doing Renovations Right

Some homeowners also expected that renovation work would be done properly due to their involvement in the process. However, without the necessary expertise and experience, DIY renovators ended up regretting doing the renovation themselves, with 63% of the respondents sharing the same sentiment.

Hiring a reputable contractor with the necessary certifications is the best way to ensure your home renovation is done right. Howard Roofing & Home Improvements & Home Improvement has received rigorous training to earn certifications from leading roofing manufacturers such as GAF and CertainTeed®. These certifications are a guarantee you can expect quality service from us. To schedule a free consultation, you can call (636) 296-1057 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in St Louis, MO.