Contractor Bryan Baeumler, host of TV’s Disaster DIY – understands the value of doing it once – and doing it right.

Too often, well-meaning homeowners cut corners to save time or money, or they simply get in over their heads. Either way, they often flirt with long-term issues that can eventually come back to haunt them or the unsuspecting future homeowner. Bryan’s mission is to show homeowners where they went wrong, and the safest and best way to fix the problem.  Here is Bryan’s hit list of the most common, and worst, do-it-yourself downfalls:

Permit problems:
Most residential construction requires a municipal building permit, to ensure plans and construction work comply with local building codes. Homeowners need to be aware of the unscrupulous contractors out there who will skip the paperwork, especially with interior work not visible from outside the home, leaving the homeowner liable for any issues – and costs.

Encroachment issues:
Living in close proximity to neighbours can lead to issues over ownership rights. Often sheds, laneways, septic tanks, pools or even homes can encroach on neighbouring property causing major disputes.

Right of way wrongs:
Properties can come with unknown issues, including right-of-way disputes. There are many cases where part of a homeowner’s property is used by the public inadvertently to get from one end of the property to the other - and new owners find themselves stuck with strangers legally making use of their property.

Unpaid liens:
Even if you are unaware of pre-existing liens against your home’s title, you remain liable. A builder’s lien secures a claim for payment for work done on a construction project or for repairs or renovations made to an existing structure. If a lien was registered against previous owners, it becomes a charge against the title of your property and may lead to future issues.

Resolving issues with your home can be stressful and costly but there is a way to protect yourself.

DIY = DIR … WHY “DO IT YOURSELF” SHOULD ALSO EQUAL “DO IT RIGHT”

A few tips to help you make the right home improvement decisions:

1. Do your homework and make informed decisions when hiring a contractor
2. Beware of unscrupulous contractors and under-the-table cash deals
3. Don’t go cheap – hire only professional contractors and ask for references that you can verify are legitimate
4. Make sure renovations conform to building codes and zoning by-laws
5. Avoid encroachment issues and be mindful of property line restrictions
6. Remember that oversights can lead to substandard and unsafe living conditions and have serious consequences for purchasers of renovated dwellings – consult a building inspector