Published Date 9/21/2022
If you watch any amount of home renovation television, such as HGTV’s Fixer Upper, you’ll see people (homeowners as well as the show’s host) sporting safety goggles and sledge hammers, beginning their remodels by gleefully tearing down cabinets, pulling up tile or smashing through non-load-bearing walls.
But think about it; this is five minutes of a reality TV entertainment show. Even the star of the show does little of the work itself except for the cameras. Otherwise, how could you watch a different show each week? Unlike the warning a motorcycle stuntman might offer, the big mistake these shows make is not telling the homeowner, ”Don’t try this at home.”
Demolition is no walk in the park. Even professionals who do it every day take precautions you may not be privy to. Just because you have budget concerns and believe you can save thousands of dollars doing a DIY demo doesn’t mean you’re immune from a host of dangers (as well as regrets) in the process. Construction website Billy.com’s Kiara says you should think twice before wielding that sledgehammer. “Demolition work isn’t like painting a room or assembling furniture—it poses serious risks if it’s performed incorrectly.” She offers a few things that could go wrong during a DIY demolition, not the least of which is physical injury, such as back strain. “It’s surprising how much we rely on our backs for everyday movements,” she says. “If your back is injured, it’s something you’ll feel each time you sit, stand up, or walk around. This can result from improper lifting techniques.”
Another is falls. “Standing on a ladder can be dangerous, especially if the ground it’s placed on is unsteady. When demolishing materials on the upper levels of your home, ask someone else to hold the ladder securely in place. This will reduce the chances of a fall.” And oh, those power tools…. While chainsaws, drills, and nail guns are incredibly useful for demolition projects, they’re also quite dangerous. Whenever you’re using power tools, make sure to wear safety equipment, such as eye goggles and gloves, and take a few classes at your local home improvement store before using them.
How about construction debris? Did you plan for it? “Not everyone knows how to properly load a dumpster,” says Kiara, who explains how, if they fail to load it properly, the junk removal company may not accept it. “Some types of debris will need to be separated and disposed of elsewhere, such as hazardous materials or chemicals. If the debris exceeds the top of the dumpster or goes over the weight capacity, you may need to remove some of it or rent another bin.” Demolition contractors have experience managing large volumes of waste, including building materials that contain asbestos, lead paint and mold, especially if you live in an older home. You won’t need to worry about all this when you leave your project in the hands of a professional.
Here is even worse news: That vision you have in your head of how this will all turn out may not match reality. “If you want to equal the standards that a professional contractor offers, you’ll need to use the right equipment,” she says. “You can see the difference that experience and craftsmanship make. It’s evident not only in the appearance but the structural integrity of a home. When fixtures are loose, taps are leaky, and walls are crooked, a DIY job may be to blame.”
Despite most homeowners who try on their own to demolish parts of their house because of budget concerns, they don’t realize it can also pose a danger to their wallets. “You may end up paying more for repairs than you would have for the initial demolition project. This can occur if you end up damaging plumbing pipes, load-bearing walls, or surrounding materials, like the floors or walls.” You think to yourself —how hard can it be to swing around a sledgehammer and knock a wall down? But that wall may have important utility lines running through it, such as plumbing or electrical wiring. It may have been there to support the structure, and removing it may mean having to reinforce the floor and ceiling accordingly.
Bet you didn’t know this part, because no one mentions it. Home renovations can affect your insurance policy, especially if they are not done professionally. “Depending on where you live and the project you’re working on, you may need to acquire permits before getting to work”. Failing to obtain the required permits may invalidate your homeowners’ insurance; a damage claim that results from improper DIY work could be rejected on those grounds. This is definitely something you may regret in the event of an accident or extreme weather event.
Bottom line? The costs of DIY demolition far outweigh the benefits. If you plan to be involved in the physical work, it’s best to at least work alongside a professional contractor and his crew.
Billy, TBWS
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