DIY projects can be a budget-friendly way to improve your home. However, some jobs are best left to professionals, especially if you eventually plan to sell your home. Tackling certain projects yourself may lead to less-than-stellar results or costly repairs down the road, potentially lowering your home’s value in a buyer’s eyes.
Below, experts share which home improvements are always worth hiring a pro for.
1. Interior Painting
Put down the paint roller. While painting interior walls may seem simple, a professional paint job makes a big difference. Beyond clean lines and even coats, pros ensure proper wall preparation. “A good coat of paint can shift the focus off a multitude of other problems,” says Peter Spalding, co-founder and chief creative officer of Daniel House Club, an online marketplace offering wholesale pricing to interior designers.
Kori Sassower, a Westchester, New York-based real estate agent, concurs. “Sellers who do a DIY paint job make the buyer think about what else hasn’t been professionally taken care of,” she says.
2. Plumbing
“Plumbing emergencies are never cute,” Spalding says. Unless you have solid experience, leave plumbing to the professionals. Will it be costly? Likely. Is it necessary? Absolutely. “Leaking plumbing can ruin your house in a matter of hours,” Spalding warns.
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3. Retaining Walls
Building a retaining wall is not a beginner’s weekend project. “Retaining walls are load-bearing structures that control soil and elevation. If not properly engineered and installed, they can fail over time, creating serious safety and drainage issues,” warns Kevin Lenhart, design director of Yardzen, a landscape design and build platform.
Joe Raboine, vice president of design at Oldcastle APG, a leading manufacturer of building materials, agrees. “They require expert construction so they remain structurally sound,” he says. “Things like poor drainage, improper material selection, and pressure from saturated soil can impact the stability of a retaining wall, so hire a licensed contractor.”
4. Tile Flooring
According to Spalding, who has laid plenty of tile, simple patterns on vertical surfaces might be manageable for a novice, but tiled floors require expert hands. “Once you start tiling something you’ll be walking on, you need to get it perfectly flat or you’ll be very aware of your mistakes — especially when you stub a toe,” he says.
5. Electrical
DIY electrical work is one of the most common red flags Sassower encounters during home inspections. All electrical updates — whether rewiring, installing fixtures, or connecting appliances — should be done by a licensed electrician. Not only does this ensure safety and code compliance, but it also saves money long-term.
6. Wallpaper and Feature Walls
An accent wall can transform the look of a room, but unless you’re willing to remove it before listing your home, leave installation to the pros. “That popular Stikwood you see all over Amazon and Wayfair looks nice, but if mounted wrong, it would not enhance a home’s value,” Sassower says. The same applies to wallpaper; if you don’t trust yourself to hang it straight and bubble-free, call in a professional.
7. Relocating Major Plumbing
Moving furniture is one thing. Relocating a sink or laundry unit is another, says Alicia Hassen Roche, founder and principal designer of Austin, Texas-based Brooklinteriors. Rearranging a space that involves moving plumbing gets complicated quickly, making it a job for professionals only.
“Water lines may run under the foundation slab, which can require trenching through concrete just to access them,” Hassen Roche says. “It’s not the place to cut corners and typically requires permitting.”
8. Skim Coating Walls
The smooth, modern look of skim-coated walls — achieved by applying a thin layer of plaster or joint compound — comes with a steep learning curve. “Skim coating requires precision, patience, and a practiced hand,” Hassen Roche says. The wrong technique can lead to bubbles, cracking, or trapped moisture under the surface — all costly issues to correct, and entirely avoidable by hiring an expert.
9. Hardscape Features
Outdoor hardscape features, such as driveways, patios, and firepits, require careful planning and professional installation. “The expertise needed to design and install a hardscape patio or driveway is often outside the comfort zone of most DIYers,” Rabione says. Mistakes such as improper spacing, grading errors, or poor water management can be costly and difficult to repair.
“Mistakes in hardscaping are expensive to fix and often compromise both function and longevity. A professional ensures durability and quality,” Lenhart adds.
10. Refinishing Interior Concrete Flooring
After watching a few YouTube tutorials, Hassen Roche and her husband thought refinishing their concrete floor would be a straightforward project. They were wrong. “We soon found out it would be a much more intricate and less forgiving process,” she says. “Small mistakes like trowel marks or using the wrong brush that collects lint can leave permanent traces.” Some concrete floors also require industrial grinders and specialized tools, so consider this a job best left to professionals.
