The experts might make building and maintenance look easy, but DIY can quickly go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing.

What is included in a build quote?

During a renovation or construction project, you might be tempted to tackle tasks to save money, but there are times when you need to call in the big guns.

Here are five jobs and issues you should never attempt yourself.

1. Removing walls

Open-plan living doesn’t happen overnight.

In the age of open-plan living, removing walls is a popular reno job. But don’t be fooled into thinking a timber-framed wall can be easily knocked down – they can still be supporting load from the roof, the same as bricks and mortar, whether it looks like or not. When you have to remove walls, it’s best to get in an expert to give you the all clear.

2. Lights flickering, power shorting out

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: always use a licensed electrician when dealing with power. Live electricity is far too dangerous to handle without the relevant qualifications. While you might save yourself a few bucks, it’s not worth the risk.

3. Mould in your bathroom or internal walls

Generally, mould is a sign of moisture build-up or a ventilation issue. This could mean a significant underlying issue with the structural fabric of the building – like a damaged waterproofing membrane – which can require expensive investigations into the root cause.

If it’s a ventilation problem, you might need to install an inline fan or a sub-floor system to start moving that stagnant air around. An expert will be able to establish the difference.

4. Efflorescence on your brickwork or tiling

Efflorescence is a white chalky residue found on natural stone, masonry or tiling. The root cause is not always known, but it often occurs in areas subjected to high levels of moisture, like bathrooms and laundries. If you’re planning on installing expensive stone in your wet areas, use the relevant professionals.

If your external brickwork is starting to show signs of efflorescence, it’s unfortunately far from a quick fix and will often be coming from your mortar. Speak to a good local builder or bricky to get it sorted.

5. Leaking roof

When dealing with heights, like inspecting a roof leak, it’s best to engage the relevant professional to find the cause.

If you have a metal roof, you’ll need a roof plumber; for tiles, you’ll need a roof tiler. If you have a slate roof, you’ll need a slate specialist, which is quite a niche area and the price will reflect that.

There are different types of roof professionals.

DIY might seem like a money saver in the short term, but if things go wrong, it could cost you thousands.