3 home renovations you should leave for the pros

[caption id="attachment_1810" align="alignright" width="150"] Photo credit U.S. Army Corps of Engineers[/caption] Turn on HGTV and chances are you'll hear about a job gone wrong, whether it's due to cost overruns or a contractor horror story. To avoid becoming one of those tales of woe, you might consider picking up a hammer yourself and DIYing some of your own home renovations. (This is where YouTube, magazines, and forums are a great help.) While it's tempting to go ahead and handle all the renos yourself, there are still some jobs that you should leave to the experts.PlumbingMost of us have limited knowledge about plumbing, which only usually comes into play when your toilet or sink is clogged. Beyond that, we don't have much-specialized knowledge when it comes to handling the pipes which our water flows through. As tempted as you might be to tackle plumbing challenges, keep in mind that any mistake you can make can be pricey. If a pipe bursts, your space could be instantly flooded before you turn off the valve, and repairing water damage is not cheap. Also, water damage can remain hidden until it's too late and you've discovered mold in your home. If you're looking to protect your basement from flooding, there are options such as a backwater valve, sump pit and pipe severance and capping that can fix your situation. Do your research into them and have some input, but leave the work itself to professionals.ElectricalAll structures need to abide by an established electrical code standard for your safety. Ensuring the safety of electrical systems is a complex task and incorrect wiring and installation could cause a fire in your home. Electrical shocks are also dangerous and unless you're a licensed electrician, it's safer for you to hire a professional.DemolitionIt might look easy enough to knock down walls and it also looks like a lot of fun on TV, but there's more to it than simply picking up a sledge hammer and putting all your focus on breaking it down. In your home, your walls are either load-bearing or cosmetic. When the wall is load-bearing, this means that it's supporting the home's structure and integrity. Knock down the wrong wall and you could compromise your home's safety. While it's unfortunate that there are some untrustworthy contractors out there, there are some projects that you should in an expert to make sure it's done properly. As for whether you should even take on a home renovation project on your own, here's a list of questions that can help you decide whether it's the right choice for you. If it's not, carefully screen your contractor options, consider hiring a RenoMark contractor and scrutinize your contract before signing on the dotted line. If you're looking to completely rebuild your house, add a new addition or do major renovations to your home, you could be eligible for an HST housing rebate. (Even if you've done the work yourself.) If you live in Toronto, Rebate4U helps clients claim money from the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program for free. If you also meet the criteria for the HST housing rebate, that's extra money you can put towards any other home renovations you have planned. Rebate4U's priority is to provide our clients with the most professional and quality service in obtaining rebates for their new and renovated homes. We are proud to offer our clients the most personal and attentive service, and we make sure that all of our clients are 100% satisfied.