Did you know that a whopping 79% of homeowners tackle multiple home improvement projects every year? And the average number of annual projects is 3.4 — up from 2.7 over less than 10 years!
If you see yourself in that figure, you’ve probably wondered about at least one tricky project, “Should I DIY or hire a pro?”
The answer isn’t always cut-and-dry, but there are a few key considerations that can help you decide.
Before calling in a pro or making a big trip to a home improvement store yourself, work up some answers to the following questions:
How would you rate your home improvement skills? Now, how would you rate them compared to someone who has studied and/or spent years honing those same capabilities?
Each and every homeowner has a different skill level, and each and every home improvement project calls for different abilities.
Be honest in evaluating just how much skill your project requires and in how you measure up. No shame either way!
What does your tool collection look like?
Simpler projects may require just your time and some paint or a screwdriver. More complex ones, though, might call for specialized saws, expensive power tools, or other gadgets.
Thoroughly research the project at hand to determine just what’s required. Then, if you need to rent or buy something to DIY the project, compare this to the cost of simply hiring a pro.
Most DIYers complete home improvement projects in their free time. Professionals, on the other hand, tend to have much more capacity.
Ask yourself if you can realistically complete the project in your free time. How many weekends would you spend working on home improvement? Will the incomplete project interfere with your day-to-day life in a negative way? For example, projects like kitchen or bathroom remodels can be extremely disruptive.
If you’ve got nothing but time, that’s great! If it’s a project that you’d like completed sooner rather than later, though, a pro might be the way to go.
How much are you willing to spend to get the project across the finish line?
Of course, hiring a pro will cost you.
But will DIYing save you money? Especially if you need to purchase materials, forgo income-producing activities like work, or spend time fixing any mistakes.
Do the math carefully.
Of course, safety should be the very top concern.
Projects that involve electricity, gas, and structural elements can be particularly dangerous. Unless you have experience completing these kinds of projects, anything unsafe is usually best left to the pros.
So, if a project isn’t especially complicated, doesn’t require specialized tools or knowledge, won’t demand too much of your time, is well within budget, and can be completed safely, it just might be DIY-able.
Some of the most common projects that fit these DIY-friendly criteria include:
But keep in mind that some homeowners will feel more comfortable completing certain projects than others.
For example, some people just don’t want to mess with anything electric. And that’s fair! A good handyman can help swap out the light fixtures if you just don’t want to. Others might not want to manage the sanding and priming that comes along with painting cabinetry. No problem! A good painter can help.
The goal of DIY is to improve your home without compromising your sanity. So do what you need to do when it comes to outsourcing.
On the other side of the coin, no matter how great your DIY skill might be, some tasks are always just best left to the professionals. This is especially true for projects that require specialized skill, call for expensive or complicated equipment and tools, may take a lot of time, and involve some kind of safety risk.
Some of the top candidates for professional home improvement help include:
When it comes to home improvement projects, there is no one right answer. The decision to DIY or hire a pro will change from person to person and maybe even from project to project!
But, if you make a point to answer the key questions honestly and take note of the common projects in each category, you’ll be well on your way to deciding.
Happy home improving!