Revealed: The DIY home renovation projects you should NEVER attempt to do yourself while bored in isolation 

Revealed: The DIY home renovation projects you should NEVER attempt to do yourself while bored in isolation

  • CHOICE has revealed the top home renovations you should avoid doing yourself
  • They explained you should never attempt to install a dishwasher or rangehood 
  • In Australia, it is illegal to carry out electrical and plumbing tasks yourself  
  • You also shouldn’t sand floors, fix a roll-up garage door or install a gas cooktop

Australian consumer group CHOICE has listed the DIY home renovation projects you should never attempt to complete yourself – regardless of how much spare time you might have while isolating.

Some home projects are dangerous for the average, unqualified man or woman and under Australian legislation, it is also illegal to conduct most electrical and plumbing tasks unless you’re a qualified or licensed professional.  

It is also still legal for a tradesman can enter a household to complete necessary and essential jobs like plumbing emergencies if required. 

Many home renovations often cost a lot of money to complete, while other jobs are simply dangerous for the average, unequipped person

Installing an under bench dishwasher

The first job CHOICE listed that is best to avoid is installing a new under bench dishwasher, as these household products can be difficult to correctly put into place.

Under bench dishwashers can also be dangerous to install yourself since the device uses both water and electricity.

The director of reviews and testing, Matthew Steen, said: ‘You need to ensure these types of dishwashers are anchored properly, so they don’t tip forward when you load and unload.’

CHOICE's director of reviews and testing, Matthew Steen, said: 'You need to ensure these types of dishwashers are anchored properly, so they don't tip forward when you load and unload.'

CHOICE’s director of reviews and testing, Matthew Steen, said: ‘You need to ensure these types of dishwashers are anchored properly, so they don’t tip forward when you load and unload.’

Bolting an appliance onto a wall of the house

Mounting certain items on walls can be challenging and is often a two-person job – such as bolting large television sets in place.

If done incorrectly, there is also a high chance of causing damage to either the wall or the appliance.

‘There are a large number of appliances that you could install yourself, but it’s always better to get someone else to help if you’re outside your comfort zone,’ Matthew said.

Prior to deciding to mount an appliance onto a wall yourself, CHOICE recommends thoroughly considering your knowledge on the task at hand and your practical abilities.

CHOICE’s top ten home renovation projects you shouldn’t attempt to do yourself 

1. Installing an underbench dishwasher   

2. Installing a rangehood 

3. Bolting an appliance such as a TV to a wall 

4. Installing or servicing an air-conditioning unit 

5. Installing a gas cooktop 

6. Sanding floors 

7. Fixing a roll-up garage door 

8. Fixing a broken phone-line socket 

9. Removing or repairing chipped lead-based paint 

10. Installing dashcams, reversing cameras or a car stereo 

Source: CHOICE 

Installing or servicing an air-conditioning unit

Unless you have a portable air-conditioning unit, you will need to call a licensed professional to install or service your air-conditioner.

‘Air conditioner installers will also be able to advise you on the right capacity air conditioner for your needs,’ CHOICE wrote.

Although, cleaning a wall mounted air-conditioner is something you can do yourself, if possible. 

CHOICE outlined unless you have a portable air-conditioning unit, you will need to call a licensed professional to install or service your air-conditioner

CHOICE outlined unless you have a portable air-conditioning unit, you will need to call a licensed professional to install or service your air-conditioner

While watching someone use a floor sander may look easy, it's far more difficult than expected ¿ especially if you haven't used one before

While watching someone use a floor sander may look easy, it’s far more difficult than expected – especially if you haven’t used one before

Sanding floorboards

‘If you’ve ever seen someone try and use a floor sander for the first time then you know it can go horribly wrong very quickly,’ said CHOICE’s household and whitegoods expert, Ashley Iredale.

While watching someone use a floor sander may look easy, it’s far more difficult than expected – especially if you haven’t used one before.

‘If you don’t hold on tight, it can take off across the room and punch a hole in your wall,’ Ashley said.

‘There’s no reason not to give it a go if you know what you’re doing, but you’d better know what you’re doing!’

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