No matter how skilled or knowledgeable you are, there are some home renovations that are against the law. There are many reasons why these projects are illegal to “DIY“But it is primarily due to the fact that they involve complicated codes and procedures, requiring specialized licensing, training, and equipment. Examples include water heater replacement, plumbing work, lead paint removal, structure construction, and more. Aside from being legally prohibited, undertaking these types of projects on your own can also void warranties, jeopardize insurance claims, reduce property value, and even hinder resales. Read on to review some illegal home improvement projects. the DIY home, so you can better protect yourself, your home, and everything in it, from trouble.

NOT TO 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 conversion, 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 your household fuel type. This involves installing gas lines, doing 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, the proper licenses. This is because lead is deadly and requires specialized disposal methods to ensure safety.

Water heater replacement – Water heaters can be dangerous appliances if mishandled. If you need to replace or install a water heater, it will need to be done by a licensed professional. It requires strict code compliance, sensitive electrical work, and fuel line management.

Garage door spring replacement – This may seem like an easy job, but one wrong move can be very 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 releasing and returning the tension. A single slip from your hand can cause the spring to fly toward your body, causing serious injury.

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

Pumping the septic system – Although considered an undesirable task, many homeowners are looking 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.