Seven Jobs That Don’t Call for DIY

In these tough financial times, many people are looking for ways to save a buck. And you’ll often hear us singing the praises of average Americans taking their financial futures into their own hands, whether it be by avoiding the perils of wasted money to taking advantage of bankruptcy benefits. But in addition to buttressing your budget, this time around we’re also trying to save you more of something else: trouble.

So let’s get to it. Here are seven tasks you shouldn’t try doing yourself (even in a bad economy):

(1) Automotive Oil Changes
First on our don't-do-it-yourself list is something most will traditionally tell you is an easy way to save money: changing your own oil. And for the more mechanically-minded, this may well be an automotive activity that some of you have performed for years.  But before getting your hands dirty this time around it’s important to take into consideration how the latest cars run today versus those that backyard mechanics have been maintaining for years. In some cases, without specialized tools and knowledge that under-the-car shimmy is a losing proposition. And what you don’t know, including what to look for, what parts to use, and what oil is best, can hurt you and your engine. And with average oil changes running about $25, once you factor in time, materials, and potential savings from not messing things up by getting down and dirty DIY-style, you’ve likely more than broken even seeking professional help.

(2) Home Electrical Fixes
Aside from the fact that most municipalities won’t allow you to work on your home wiring, your own faulty electrical work can cause fires, permanent damage, and even electrocution. Even if you purport to know your way around electicity, barring a shock from an errant circuit, you could get a shock from your insurance company: when accidents do happen when you’re playing handyman, it’s in your insurers purview to deny claims from work that was not inspected.

(3) Tax Work
Simple software programs may look appealing when you’re dealing with the deadlines of tax time; but doing the work yourself can have detrimental effects on your ability to claim all deductions and maximize your monetary returns—even if you have a simple filing. The process is made even more complicated if you’re self-employed, have investments or own multiple properties. Avoid the potential of owing back taxes, interest and penalties by seeking professional help to make filing a less “taxing” experience.

(4) Tree Removal
It’s not unusual in the winter to have downed limbs and hanging branches. But when it comes to removing an entire tree, it can quickly become a job too big to tackle on your own. Between working at heights, wielding a chainsaw or testing the wind, there are many dangers involved in downing a tree, not to mention the risk of landing ii on a car, power lines or even an innocent bystander. When thinking tree removal it’s best to trust someone else to the trunk.

(5) Large Printing Work
Whether you’re working from home or working up a pile of resumes, sparing your home printer from large printing jobs can pay dividends in the end. From jobs where your files need formatting or your margins need measuring, even the smallest local professional printing companies can easily assess your needs and provide precisely the right printing product—often at a low cost…and without costing you a lot of time and effort.

(6) Getting Rid of Pests
Bed bugs are all the buzz today as pest-hysteria is currently sweeping the media outlets and the nation. As a result, you might feel inclined to take on the task of de-bugging yourself, using do-it-yourself sprays to rid your home or small business of their smallest residents. But DIY uses of pesticide products can be ineffective, not to mention incredibly harmful to pets and human inhabitants if applied incorrectly. In short, trust the experts when you need an exterminator.

(7) Representing Yourself in Court
If you’re here, you may be considering bankruptcy and even going it alone in your filing. But whether you’re bankruptcy bound or facing something a little tougher than a traffic ticket, you will definitely want to consult with a qualified attorney. Just ask yourself: is the money I’ll save on a DIY court proceeding worth the possibility of missing a deadline, misplacing documents, or facing unexpected evidence? Because of the intricacies of the law, especially bankruptcy law, to get the most financial bang out of your case takes precious time and specific skills to handle paperwork, opposing parties and legal decisions.

In particular, an experienced bankruptcy attorney knows the ins and outs of the bankruptcy process and can assist throughout your case, no matter what your individual situation. Contact the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt in North Carolina toll free to +1-833-627-0115, or make your own appointment online at www.billsbills.com.