Special Report: Mix It & Fix It

Do-it-yourself home renovations can save you money. But a new trend of mixing construction with cocktails could cost homeowners more than they bargained for.
 
Anonymous homeowner
"I don't know what it is but home improvement, friends they just go hand in hand."
 
One Cape Cod homeowner, who didn't want to be identified, sent out invites to all her friends to party and help her renovate her home. The invitation, designed to look like a work permit, even jokes," permit is void if permit holder and friends do not get drunk and disorderly."
 
The woman didn't want to be identified, but she was happy to share video of the party with 7News.
 
Anonymous homeowner
"Thought it sounded like a good time. We had a table set up with a kind of buffet of barbequed food and other snacks and we had beer and things out there, some mixed drink."
 
Demolition experts say mixing alcohol with home improvements is a recipe for disaster.
 
Mark Pyne, demolition expert
"It's easy enough to get hurt without being impaired. Once you add the alcohol or any drug into the mix you're really just asking for a bad scar at the least."
 
With these parties, doctors say you increase your risk of eye injuries, broken bones or severe cuts. There's also a chance of asbestos exposure and electric shock.
 
Dr. Carol Hartigan, New England Baptist Hospital
"Alcohol creates a little sense of euphoria so people can just have a sense of being able to do things that they really aren't able to do, people can make mistakes, coordination is effected."
 
So while homeowners try to save a few bucks doing it themselves and having a party to entice friends to help, experts warn it could cost much more in the long run.
 
Mark Pyne, demolition expert
"There's been houses that we've walked into where someone started to tear down walls and realized just how dirty and dangerous it is and asked us to come in and fix it."
 
The Cape Cod homeowner says her party went as planned, guests swigged beers while blasting through walls. Luckily, the only damage was a downed thermostat that sent the heat soaring.
 
Anonymous homeowner
"The temperature went up to about 90 degrees."
 
And while she got the results she wanted, she admits others may not be so lucky if they decide to "Mix It and Fix It". Sorboni Banerjee, 7News.

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