Finishing a basement or rental suite sounds like a great weekend project—until you open up the walls. Many homeowners take on a DIY project to save money. Still, in reality, it’s likely to cost far more in the long run when hidden problems make an appearance or your secondary suite doesn’t meet legal basement suite requirements in Edmonton.
At Peak Improvements, we’ve seen it all, from spliced wires to disconnected vents and failing structures. We’re here to help you avoid these common mistakes and make your basement project way less stressful. If you’re thinking of building or renovating your basement, these are Peak’s top DIY mistakes to avoid and why hiring the pros can save your home, your budget, and keep you safe.
Hidden Hazards Of DIY Renovations
Exposed Electrical Wiring
Spliced or exposed electrical wiring is a major code violation, but it’s not uncommon to be hiding behind finished drywall in older homes. Exposed wiring or short circuits puts your home at risk of a fire. DIY electrical is not recommended, and only a licensed electrician should tackle your renovation ensuring that everything has been inspected.
Disconnected Vents
Air vents can be overlooked because the ducting is behind walls or ceilings. A disconnected vent can go unnoticed for a long time. Without you being aware, the air meant for one room will be blowing into another. Disconnected vents can cause heating inefficiency or moisture problems in the home. The heating system needs to be designed by a professional to ensure adequate air circulation preventing stale or damp spaces.
Random Things That “Look Finished.”
We’re in the era of house flipping, buying and renovating homes and making them “look finished.” We’ve seen so many quick fixes that, to us as professionals, stick out like a sore thumb: poor patchwork, failing trim work, loose tiles, and makeshift wall insulation. At first glance, they might look fine, but these details don’t go unnoticed and greatly affect the resale value of your renovation.
Structural Changes
As a homeowner, you’re allowed to change the layout of your home, removing or changing walls to create bigger spaces or open concepts. However, it’s integral to be aware of the load-bearing structure. We’ve seen sagging ceilings because someone removed a load-bearing wall without support. Structural changes need to be designed by an engineer, permits need to be in place and inspections are required to ensure all is safe.
DIY Can Cost You More In The Long Run
You might hope to save some money doing renovations yourself, but many unexpected elements increase renovation costs.
- Redo costs because you’ve failed inspections.
- If something is considered unsafe, you risk your insurance coverage and safety.
- Poor renovations lower your home’s resale value.
- You might have to pay professionals to undo your work before they can do it right.
Peak Improvements Gets It Right The First Time
When you work with Peak Improvements, we guarantee that your renovations will be done right the first time. We understand Edmonton’s legal basement suite requirements inside and out. We subcontract trades that we’ve worked with for over a decade, and we don’t cut corners to get the job done. We specialize in planning and design with compliance and safety in mind. With our fixed-priced contract, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying with no surprises or hidden fees.
A rental suite, an in-law suite, or a personal space needs to be built safely, legally, and beautifully. During an assessment, we can advise on what’s can be utilized and what needs to go. Start your journey with our project estimator tool or call toschedule a consultation.
DIY projects can be fun, but not when they compromise your home or your safety. Make sure everything is done right with Peak Improvements. We help Edmonton homeowners renovate with confidence.