Home Improvement News Bureau

Do-it-yourself Don’ts

Leading Home Improvement Expert Offers Advice on What to Avoid When

Research Triangle Park, NC (May 24, 2005)— As home improvement retailers report record sales weeks reaching $1 billion, it’s clear that America’s obsession with do-it-yourself projects isn’t going away anytime soon. And with more people tackling even more projects, experts are cautioning consumers against taking this trend too far.

“Learning new skills, saving money, and the exhilarating sense of accomplishment you feel after completing a project are the upsides of DIY home improvement,” according to Tom Kraeutler, host of the nationally syndicated “Money Pit “ home improvement radio show. “But even the most experienced weekend warriors can end up wasting time and money—or even getting injured—if they don’t leave certain projects to trained professionals.”

Kraeutler offers these helpful do-it-yourself don’ts to homeowners with projects in mind:

Don’t Push the Limits of Your Skills– Picking up a hammer or paint brush is well within the skill set of most home improvers, but bigger tools might best be left to the pros to avoid unpredictable results.

Don’t Underestimate thePower of a Professional—Take termites, for example. These bugs can literally destroy your house, and the fastest, most effective treatment—Termidor Termite Defense®—is available only to licensed pros. Most people simply aren’t capable of finding, let alone controlling pest infestations, whether they are termites, ants, or roaches. Call a professional to help in this area so you can spend your valuable time on other things.

Don’t Skip the Permit – In many areas of the country, getting a building permit is a requirement before starting a home improvement project, but some homeowners might be tempted to skip this step for projects that might not be in public view. Not only are there penalties that can be assessed, but failure to get permits can hold up the sale of your home if discovered even years later.

To find a pest professional in your area, visit www.TermidorHome.com. For more home improvement project advice, click on www.MoneyPit.com.

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