This summer, millions of homeowners will be getting busy on DIY projects to transform their homes on a budget. But while a crooked bookshelf can be easily fixed, some will be attempting much larger projects.
Tackling your own home improvements without the necessary research, tools or knowledge can quickly turn into a nightmare, where the costs of a mistake can run into thousands of pounds.
Beth Boulton, Marketing Director at leading home improvement specialists Eurocelllists some of the most common DIY mistakes that can leave Brits out of pocket by up to £50,000.
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Breaking down walls
“Open plan living is a style that many homeowners have fallen in love with,” says Beth. “Open spaces with plenty of natural light have been proven to be beneficial for our mental and physical health, and it’s no wonder so many of us find ourselves staring at our walls with the idea of knocking them down to create a larger room.
“Typically, knocking down a wall to create an open plan space costs around £2,500, or less if you add a smaller door. But it’s important to remember that not all walls can be knocked down, at least not without proper structural considerations and support. Removing a load-bearing wall can lead to dangerous roof collapses and render a home completely uninhabitable.”
Repairing this damage can be extremely expensive and renovations can cost £10,000 or more.
DIY extension
Beth says: “Extensions are becoming increasingly popular across the country. The appeal of adding new rooms and increasing the value of the home is strong, and current trends include open-plan kitchens and dining areas which are not often found in older properties, leading many to turn to extending their homes as a possible solution.
“Building your own extension may seem like a good way to save on construction costs, but in reality you need a thorough understanding of construction, building regulations, electrical and plumbing systems to create a safe new space in your home, which usually requires several different professionals with different specialties.”
Failing to create a safe, insulated space with good structural integrity can be incredibly costly. Homeowners are faced with the prospect of knocking down their extension and hiring experts to properly rebuild it. Depending on the size of the extension, this could cost between £20,000 and £50,000 and render their home completely uninhabitable until the work is completed.
Tackling your own groundwork
“DIY enthusiasts often underestimate the work required to complete a proper foundation, which can lead to costly repairs down the road,” says Beth.
“Laying the foundation and ensuring proper drainage is incredibly important to ensure the structural integrity and longevity of any garden extension or improvement work.
“If proper grading and drainage are not ensured, foundations can fill with water and crack, which can cost thousands of pounds to repair. In the worst cases, it can lead to foundations sinking, which can cost upwards of £20,000 to repair, plus months of inspections and visits from structural engineers.”
Ignoring planning rules
Beth says: “Ignoring planning rules can get you into serious trouble. Not all projects require planning permission, but it is always advisable to check before you start the project, not after.”
“If you go ahead without planning permission and it later turns out you needed it, you can apply for retrospective approval. The planning officer could require you to amend your plans, even if you have already completed construction. If you are refused retrospective planning permission, you face the possibility of knocking down the entire project.
“Obviously, this can be costly. However, failure to comply with an enforcement order is a criminal offence and, in the most extreme cases, may be subject to criminal prosecution.”
The expert added: “In this case, you may face criminal proceedings in a magistrates’ court or a Crown court. The maximum fine in a magistrates’ court is £20,000, but there is no limit to the maximum fine that a Crown court can impose.”
Eliminating health risks
“Homes built before 1980 were sometimes built with dangerous materials, even though they were thought to be safe at the time,” Beth says.
“The best known of these is asbestos, which releases small fibres into the air when handled. Inhaling these fibres can cause a number of serious diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
“If you need to remove asbestos, it should always be done by a professional. If you don’t, you risk developing the serious health conditions mentioned above.”
She says the first step is to hire an asbestos surveyor, who can identify where the asbestos is in your home and also how much there is. Then, it’s a matter of hiring an asbestos removal expert to safely remove it from the home. This can cost between £1500 and £5000.
