That fence seems like it’s leaning and that deck board feels a bit wobbly. Hmm… And does that shed door don’t close properly or are you imagining it?

It seems like some things in your backyard are falling apart and need to be repaired, so what do you do? Do you do it yourself or is this something you’ll need a professional for? DIY is tempting because you’ll save a decent amount of money and you get to be proud of being able to fix things around the house. If it’s a fresh coat of paint or replacing a few screws, it’s all a piece of cake, there’s no reason to pay someone else to do it for you.

But what if the repair is bigger and needs not only expertise, but also special tools? If you try to go about it yourself, you risk a repair becoming a frustrating, time-consuming mess.

So, how do you know when to call a pro and when you can give it a shot yourself? Let’s see.

When DIY Makes Sense

Not every repair needs a contractor and you can easily do a lot of fixes yourself, all you’ll need are a few basic tools you probably already have.

Painting and staining can both be done without a professional. You can do your fence, shed, or a deck; it’s affordable, simple to do, and it will make a big difference in how durable and visually appealing these items are. You can also do smaller repairs on your own, like tightening loose screws on gates and replacing old hinges. These can be done quickly and even if you’re not particularly handy, you’ll be able to do it.

If you see a small crack in the concrete of your pathways or your patio, you can repair that on your own, too. Buy a repair kit at the store and you’ll be able to patch it up. You can also seal gaps in wood or metal structures with weatherproof caulking to prevent problems in the future.

Most simple tasks don’t need specialized equipment. Cleaning gutters is a good example of this. It’s not the most exciting way to spend your Saturday morning, but you have to do it to prevent the water from damaging your house. If you have a drill and screws, you can also tighten or even replace loose boards on fences and decks.

These are small maintenance tasks that will make your outdoor structures more long-lasting and you won’t need a pro to do any of them.

When to Call a Professional

Some repairs aren’t a quick fix and you don’t have the skill, the experience, or the tools to do them yourself, so you’ll need to hire a pro.

Take structural repairs, for example. If you need replacement shed doors because the frame is out of alignment or the door is too heavy, you can’t just swap out the hinges and call it a day. A deck that sags, for instance, can look like it just needs a couple of new boards, but if the support beams are failing, then that’s a safety risk. In that case, it will need proper reinforcement and code compliance.

Again, not something to do on your own. It’s the same thing for fences that have collapsed because the soil is shifting or because of storm damage. Digging and setting posts in concrete is not just hard work, it has to be done correctly to make sure the fence is stable for years and years, and you don’t have the experience to be able to do it.

Electrical and plumbing… Is there even a need to mention that this needs to be done by a professional and only them? One little mistake can lead to serious hazards, so these are the types of jobs you’ll need to steer clear of, no matter how convinced you are you can do it yourself. You. Just. Can’t.

Then you have those jobs that need specialized tools and/or permits. Replacing a broken patio or a part of your driveway, removing trees, and roof repairs all need safety equipment and a good amount of experience not just to be fixed, but also to prevent long-term damage and leaks.

Conclusion

Something breaks and you’re already doing the math in your head because you know it’s going to be pricey. So you try to think of ways to do it by yourself and you kinda sorta think you can. Well, if that’s the way it’s going, then you can’t and you’re setting yourself up for more repairs and more expense when you inevitably get forced to call a pro.

Basically, if a repair concerns structural integrity, if there are safety risks, or if it needs anything other than basic tools and knowledge, DIY is not the way to go.