If you’re a DIY enthusiast or simply trying to save money on your home improvement you may be tempted to install your own windows. Your ambition is admirable, but it’s best applied to other projects. That’s because window replacement is tricky and unpredictable. If it’s not done correctly, the consequences are significant. Before you break out the tool box, learn why you shouldn’t try to install windows yourself.

Putting Your Home at Risk

Windows are a huge part of your home’s functionality. If your windows are installed incorrectly they might open or close with difficulty, allow valuable HVAC to bleed out of your home, or become vulnerable to breakage and advanced wear and tear. When that’s the case, you will need to call in a contractor to perform an expensive emergency fix.

Do You Have the Right Window for Your Home?

Windows comes in a huge range of size and styles. If you select the wrong option, it will fail to fit the space you have available, clash with your interior and exterior design, or not offer the features and upgrades you’re looking for. The safer option is to work with a supplier and installer who can ensure you get exactly what you need and want.

Expensive Tools and Equipment

Proper window installation requires tools and equipment that you probably don’t already have on hand. Not only is it expensive to buy this stuff, it has limited utility outside of window installation. That means you add significantly to the cost of your home improvement project just to end up with supplies that you will rarely if ever use again.

Missing Attention to Detail

During window replacement is a great way to get a get a look at internal components of your home. If you do not have a trained eye, you might overlook looming problems like the advance of mold or the presence of moisture behind your siding. As a result, you miss out on the opportunity to do preventative maintenance instead of expensive repairs. A professional is much better equipped to spot problems both with the window and around the window. They may also be qualified to do the work necessary to correct the problem completely at a fraction of the cost of hiring another contractor. Your windows may come with a warranty, but when you do the work yourself there is no guarantee on the labor. That means if something goes wrong you are solely responsible for the cost of fixing it. Most professionals will offer you a warranty on the labor so that you’re not penalized when something is done incorrectly. Plus, by forming a relationship with a window company, you have someone to turn to immediately when you need a quick fix.

The best home handy men and women know their limits. There are some projects that are perfect for the amateur carpenter, and some that it’s always best to leave up to a professional. Spare yourself a lot of frustration and extra expense, and call a window company from the start.