6 Other DIY Myths You Need to Stop Believing Immediately

If hours upon hours of HGTV binge-watching has taught us anything, it's that pretty much anything can be DIY'd. New deck? Go for it. Updated bathroom? You could have the walk-in shower of your dreams in a weekend's time.

What's more, those TV pros make it look so easy. So if you have a big renovation on the horizon, we can understand the temptation to ditch the general contractor and tackle the job yourself.

Myth No. 1: Home improvement shows are adequate DIY tutorials

Watch Jonathan and Drew Scott rip out a kitchen wall, and you'd be forgiven for thinking you can DIY an open-plan layout, too. All you need to do is Hulk-smash your drywall! You might even picture getting the kids involved (with proper safety gear, of course).

It'll take more than watching these guys for 22 minutes to master DIY remodeling.
HGTV

But take it from us: Set down the sledgehammer. Step away from the wall.

"Remodeling has become so ubiquitous through various media like television shows that many homeowners view it too casually, sometimes treating it more like a hobby than an expertise," says Jason Biddle, who runs aging-in-place home resource The Helping Home and has managed multiple major renovations in his own home.

"It's increasingly common to naively jump into a renovation, lacking the necessary level of respect for the task at hand," adds Biddle

To give your project the respect it deserves, take the time to thoroughly research it in advance. Biddle recommends reading construction resources like "The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling," to familiarize yourself with all the crucial details you'll need to know.

And when in doubt, call for help.

"Know your experience level and have the wisdom to know when you can handle a project yourself and when you should seek the help of an expert," says Tonya Bruin, CEO of To Do-Done Renovations.

Myth No. 2: Buying materials online saves time

Assembling the materials for your DIY renovation from the couch can seem fun and easy, but think twice before you click "add to cart." Whenever possible, it's better to buy materials in person. At a store, you can check quality (is that tile prone to cracking?) and make sure you're getting what you pay for.

When you buy online, "you take on all the risk and can't verify details for things," says Matthew Breyer, the president and lead designer at Breyer Construction & Landscape.

Imagine that enormous cabinetry order you placed finally arriving—only to realize the hardware wasn't included, the shelves are the wrong size, or the construction is poor.

If you're set on purchasing online, check your order thoroughly to ensure every piece you need is included—and build in time for returns or exchanges.

Myth No. 3: Painter's tape is for rookies

The tape is your friend
BanksPhotos/iStock

We'll admit painting is one of the simplest DIY jobs. But that doesn't give you license to skip the painter's tape.

Many DIYers paint without tape "because it takes time and effort to apply, or they feel like they're painting experts and don't need it," Bruin says. "However, it’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make. The only way, as a DIYer, to get sharp, clean lines is to use tape around your edges."

Myth No. 4: DIY projects are cheap

Sure, when you do projects yourself, your labor costs will be less—but materials still cost money (and there's also the value of your time).

"The costs will still most likely cause some sticker shock," Biddle says.

Once again, we've got television to blame. Just because Chip and Joanna Gaines knock out a whole-house renovation for $70,000 doesn't mean you'll do the same.

"The unrealistically low budgets on HGTV shows mislead viewers into thinking that their own remodeling efforts won't be very expensive," Biddle says.

And don't forget to budget for the inevitable screw-up.

"Some renovation projects are simple enough in theory, but they can quickly turn into a headache and end up costing you a lot of money having to fix mistakes," Bruin says.

Myth No. 5: You can knock out your DIY project in a weekend

"The term 'DIY' has a connotation of brevity," Biddle says. "Watching a four-minute online tutorial or reading a one-page magazine article can lead homeowners to believe that the project will be a breeze. If there are only five steps involved, then surely it can't take too long, right?"

But even small projects can be a big deal. Shatter a box of tiles? That's a trip to the hardware store. Take a break to watch a few episodes of "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina"? Before you know it, that's a weekend lost.

"Even relatively simple endeavors can easily turn into a time suck," Biddle says. "Add in that many DIYers are weekend warriors with full-time jobs, and it becomes obvious why the 'little' project takes three months to finish."

Myth No. 6: All your mistakes can be covered with paint

No one's expecting your work to be perfect. Installing cabinetry is hard; hanging shelves requires masterful precision; and getting all the decking boards aligned ... well, good luck with that.

But don't think no one will be the wiser if you cover up your inexperience with a thick coat of paint. Paint can't hide that the cabinets are uneven. And when it comes to your deck, paint can actually make the problem worse. (Make sure to choose a type of paint designed for decking, otherwise there's disaster ahead.)

"We look at dozens of decks that were just painted with a product that did not adhere to the wood," Breyer says. "Now the entire deck is peeling and unusable."

Myth No. 7: Cleanup is easy

It will hopefully be no surprise that renovations can be messy. A big dumpster can eliminate some of the pain—but not everything can be disposed of that easily.

"Many building materials are actually considered hazardous," Breyer says. Your old flooring could have asbestos, and the drywall you tore down might be covered with lead paint. Governments have specific regulations about how these materials must be disposed.

Research everything you throw in that dumpster, otherwise you might get slapped with a fine. Hooray—another unexpected expense!

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