No matter how skilled or knowledgeable you are, there are some home renovations that are against the law if you do them yourself. There are many reasons why these projects are illegal for “diy“, but it’s mainly due to the fact that they involve complicated codes and procedures, requiring specialized licenses, training, and equipment. Examples include water heater replacement, plumbing work, lead paint removal, building structures, and more. In addition to being legally prohibited, doing these types of projects on your own can also void warranties, jeopardize insurance claims, lower property values, and even hamper resales and everything that goes with it, cause problems.

DO NOT DO do this at home

There are many home improvement projects that you are not allowed to do on your own, and for good reason. These include electrical work, light fixture installation, fuel conversions, large tree removal, mold removal, animal removal, HVAC repair, asbestos removal, and more. For example, if you want to replace your electric stove with a gas stove, you will need to convert the fuel type of your home. This involves installing gas lines, performing electrical work, and much more, not to mention strict safety codes to prevent chemical explosions. For this reason, this is a job for a team of licensed professionals with formal training and experience. Here are some additional home improvement projects that require a licensed professional:

Lead paint removal – Older houses and structures built before 1980 are likely to be painted with lead-based paint. To safely remove lead-based paint, you must have the proper knowledge, training, tools, and of course, a license. This is because lead is deadly and requires specialized removal methods to ensure safety.

Water heater replacement – Hot water heaters can be dangerous appliances if not handled correctly. If you need to replace or install a water heater, you will need to have it done by a licensed professional. It requires strict adherence to code, sensitive electrical work, and fuel line management.

Garage door spring replacement – This may seem like an easy job, but one wrong step can be seriously damaging or even fatal. Over time, garage door springs lose tension and require replacement, and part of the process of removing the old and installing the new is to release and return the tension. A single slip of the hand can cause the spring to fly toward your body and cause serious injury.

wall removal – If you dream of an open floor concept, don’t grab your sledgehammer and start the demolition. Some walls are strictly structural, so knocking one down can be extremely dangerous. For that reason, it requires official building permits. Hiring a general contractor is necessary if you want to remodel or convert a space.

Septic system pumping – Although considered an undesirable chore, many homeowners look to do it themselves to save a dollar or two. But this is not a good idea. Septic pumping not only requires specialized equipment to be safe and effective, it also requires official city permits for authorized waste disposal.