OasisDesign&Remodeling,
Have you had a chance to read some of the pro to pro discussions regarding this? It is a combination of both, but mostly what I have alluded to. Houzz was originally created for Pros to show their work, give professional ideas, help and give advice to homeowners. Helping to prevent the homeowners from making costly mistakes.

It has gone far beyond that, with non-professionals pretending to know all about what they are recommending without any education, any degree or job experience. Giving advice that can be detrimental to someone else and their family, or costing the homeowner thousands of dollars in mistakes.

I have read many recommendations that do not follow building codes. It is important for one to know, City and County codes were put into place to prevent injury and harm. One post, a non-professional was advocated to not follow building codes and don't go through permitting process, that he didn’t need to have it inspected and it would save him money.

Then several posts on many threads, where I have seen non-professional recommending removing walls and column, when it was clearly a structural wall. Do they even care that the roof is going to cave in on the homeowner? One time, I counted SEVEN Pros that stated DO NOT remove the structural wall. Each recommended to check with an architect or structural engineer before proceeding. Then on the same thread, THREE non-professional, after the Pros posts, told the homeowner they didn’t need to hire an architect or structural engineer it would cost them too much money. Each of the three said it was okay to take the wall out with no problem. It is your house do what you want. I found this pure careless and total disregard for others well-being. I just pray the homeowner listened to the PROS.

Another post, a non-professional gave a homeowner advice to install ceramic tile over the top of three layers of vinyl and to use liquid nails. It was okay to do so because the non-professional did it? This would NEVER pass building codes, let alone product warranties and will cause the homeowners huge mistakes that will cost thousands of dollars to replace when it fails.

I observed other unqualified suggestion like installing wall tile (instead of floor tile) going over plywood sub floor where the tile is going to crack and break when they walk on it and pop up. Or the many, many posts where non-professionals suggested to paint over top of an existing cabinet without priming the cabinet first so later the paint will peel off. Or the time when a non-professional was describing how to build a fireplace and how to vent it wrong with no flashing, so it will leak and cause major roof and attic repairs later on.

Or the post where a non-professionals was telling someone how to build a wall with the placing wood studs 27" on center to save money, when they need to be 16" on center. This would never pass an inspection!

Or how about the time, a disagreement between a non-professionals and an electrician. The electrician recommended to the homeowner to put in a GFI outlet above a bathroom sink. Then a non-professional who told the home owner after the electrician," No you don't need to do that. He didn't put one in his bathroom, therefore he said that homeowner didn't need one either." .......... For those who do not know what a GFI outlet is, it is to prevent electrocution if blow dryer falls in a water of sink. It automatically trips the outlet off, which would save a life. It is typically required per building codes.

Now, I don't have any problems with non-professional suggesting ideas. But Only IF it is not going harmful to the homeowners, it follows building codes/ construction guidelines, it abides by manufacturer's usage/ installation specifications, and if it doesn't creates any costly, expensive mistakes for the homeowners later on. Pros are here to help homeowners. Pros are not here to argue with non-professionals and Pro shouldn't have to defend their knowledge or their expertise. This is why the Pros are no longer giving advice, it is a waste of our time and our advice is falling onto deaf ears.