If you own your home, there will come a time when you decide to save some money by forgoing the expert and tackling the work alone.Sometimes that's a good idea, but other times it's disastrous, says Joshua Schlegel, a St. Petersburg, Fla., plumber.To fix your mistake, the professional will have to first undo what you did, and that could end up costing you twice what it would have if you had just called the pro in the first place.We talked with Schlegel about some common projects.Don't pick up the phoneThe toilet that keeps runningIn many cases, all it takes is a few minutes and a $3 or $4 flapper you can get at a hardware store. Open the tank, pull up the metal chain, replace the flapper. That's it. You might even be able to do it without getting your hands dirty.Also easy to do: replacing the showerhead and washing-machine hoses.Do it if you're handyInstalling a water-saver toiletNew technology is a lot better than when they first came out, but it's definitely a case of you get what you pay for."A $99 toilet gets you a $99 toilet," Schlegel says, adding that it's worth the investment to spend about $200 on a brand name.Installing a toilet is relatively easy, he says, and most people who are handy should be able to follow the instructions. One thing to watch out for is overtightening it. The toilet is made out of porcelain, and it will crack.Also doable for the handy homeowner: replacing a faucet or a garbage disposal.Leave it for the expertInstalling a water heaterA water heater typically lasts 15 to 20 years, so there's a good chance you won't have to deal with this. But when it's time to replace it (and you'll know it because your water will at best be lukewarm), you should call a licensed plumber, Schlegel says.Material and labor will cost about $750. To save some money, buy the heater first (about $250), and then call a plumber to do the work. This is not a DIY project.Also for the pros: replacing shut-off valves and tub and shower valves.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service www.scrippsnews.com)
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