Yeah, clarity from manufacturers would help a lot, but honestly, some homeowners underestimate how tricky these "simple" installs can get. I've seen folks confidently climb onto roofs to install solar-powered attic fans, thinking it's just plug-and-play...then they're calling me after they've punched holes in shingles or compromised flashing. At what point should manufacturers step back and just recommend professional installation instead of overselling DIY ease? Seems like there's a fine line between empowering homeowners and setting them up for trouble.
"Seems like there's a fine line between empowering homeowners and setting them up for trouble."
Couldn't agree more. Reminds me of a homeowner I worked with last summer—great guy, pretty handy around the house. He bought one of those "easy-install" skylights and figured he'd save a few bucks doing it himself. Long story short, he ended up calling me after a weekend storm turned his attic into a mini swimming pool. Manufacturers definitely need to be clearer about what's DIY-friendly and what's better left to pros...
Yeah, it's tricky... manufacturers love slapping "easy" on everything nowadays. I've learned the hard way—always look for detailed instructions first, and if they're vague or gloss over steps, that's usually a warning sign to call in backup.
Yeah, learned that lesson myself when I tried installing one of those "easy" smart thermostats last winter. Instructions made it sound like a 10-minute job, tops. Two hours later, I'm knee-deep in wires and YouTube tutorials, freezing my butt off because the heat was off. Ended up calling my buddy who does HVAC work—he sorted it out in 15 minutes flat. Sometimes "easy" just means easy to mess up...
Haha, sounds familiar. Ever notice how the simpler they claim something is, the more suspicious you should be? I've had tenants call me in a panic after trying to install their own smart locks or security cameras. Usually starts with "it looked easy on the box..." and ends with me holding a screwdriver at 9pm wondering why I didn't just call someone myself.
I think part of the issue is that manufacturers assume everyone has the same basic knowledge or tools. But honestly, how many people casually have wire strippers or voltage testers lying around? And those tiny diagrams—who can even read them without a magnifying glass?
Maybe it's just me, but if a gadget requires more than one YouTube tutorial or makes you question your sanity halfway through...is it really worth the DIY bragging rights?
