Do-It-Yourself Disasters

[Eieio]

(CBS) News

Consumer Correspondent Susan Koeppen Takes at Look at What Can Happen If You Decide to Take On a Project Yourself

As more homeowners are feeling economic pressure, many are trying to save money by doing home improvement jobs themselves. But often, the results can be disastrous.

"Early Show" consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen noted that the home improvement shows and magazines may make some of those projects around your house look easy. However, she said it could end up costing you a lot more than just money.


Koeppen reported that Matt Taylor of Danville, Ill., was using a nail gun to put up a ceiling in his basement and ended up in the emergency room when a nail went through his hand.

Taylor said, "They had to pull it out with pliers."

And in New York City, roofer Mike Sapirstein has seen plenty of do-it-yourself disasters.

"I saw a guy with a bandage on his thumb, he smashed his thumb with a hammer," he said. "I saw someone put his foot through a roof."

In Charlotte, N.C., Richard Benningfield was on a ladder in his yard sawing a tree branch when he fell. He was in a coma for three weeks.


Link to full story: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/03/earlyshow/contributors/susankoeppen/main5875174.shtml

[Bender]

was using a nail gun to put up a ceiling in his basement:laugh3::laugh3::laugh3:

[nEighter]

hell yes, more coverage of DIY jobs should be going around!

[naptownCr]

The problem with all of the diy shows is they have to start and finish a project in like one episode. Even the best of them like TOH left a LOT of information out in an effort to simplify and keep it to the episode length.
This leads people to believe that they can do something that they are really not qualified or prepared to tackle.
And the current line up is pitiful. Some of the things I have seen done there the producers should be shot for showing. One in particular was a decorating show and they were installing slate or ceramic directly on the subfloor without underlayment and were using construction adhesive for glue.
I wonder how long that floor lasted.

[nEighter]

OR on those shows, they need to have a special show and also disclaimers that state that they should really hire a pro and that they use pros to complete their jobs.. AND that their stated "this project cost $200.00" was really more like $2750.00 after design fee, permit, time and gas and wages paid.

I guess alot of people have to do it themselves to truly appreciate what a pro does.