To DIY or Not to DIY – That is the Question

There are many reasons why Do It Yourself (DIY) projects are favored by many homeowners. The most common reason for going DIY is to save money from paying professionals to do the job. DIY has been present for a long time but has become a sensation because of social media influence. You can find a lot of DIY tutorials all over the internet, from tables to headboards and building a deck. It seems doable and cheaper, so many people are hooked on starting DIY projects. 

The DIY projects you see on the internet might seem cheaper, but that’s not always the case. Some projects that are supposed to be done by professionals can never be replaced by DIY. While you might love the good feeling you get from sharing your projects, there are still many things to consider before saying you made a wise choice.

When it is better to choose a professional.

Getting a professional is much better than DIY when you encounter these scenarios: 

1. If the project would be stressful to do

• If a project seems to consume the time you have left after a whole day at work. When instead of resting, you are sacrificing rest for this project.

If your priority is to save money, make sure that the effort and stress you’re putting up with a project are worth it. Don’t let a project end up giving you more stress instead of reducing it. If you’ve saved some money and you can afford to buy something pre-made, you should be able to use some of your hard-earned money to hire a professional to do the job for you.

If the DIY project could cause you injury, wear you out, and stress you out, then having a professional do it will be your best option. An example would be doing a paint job on your own, but not understanding some issues associated with cracks and then ending up hiring a professional to redo everything. Imagine the time, money, and effort you’ve wasted.

2. If it would take time before you get the fruit of your labor

• Many DIY projects fail because people underestimate the time it will take until everything is finished. Think about it like being paid hourly on your job, and doing the DIY will only become lost wages. You might think you paid less, but the truth is, the time and effort consumed are also worth something.

You are doing DIY projects outside working hours, thinking about it like overtime work, estimate if it is really practical to invest your time in it. Consider how much time you need to finish it and how long it would take before you see the return on investment.

3. If the project needs a professional for the job to be done properly

• It is important to assess if the project is risky or complicated before doing it yourself. If a project might cause you injury or needs special equipment and skills to be successfully done, it would be best to hire a professional.Don’t sacrifice your peace of mind to have a project done by a hired professional just to save money if you do it yourself. You could get injured if you push through with it on your own, especially for projects that require electrical work. You might save money on a project but end up paying more if you got electrocuted or caused a fire.

You have to prioritize the safety of your household. Some projects need a trained professional to be done correctly. If you think you’re better off having a professional do it, then don’t hesitate and just hire one.

4. If it is better to trust the quality of a Store-bought item

• You might think you’ll save some money by purchasing cheap materials for your project. However, you also have to think about the quality of the result because it could cost more for future repairs. Using substandard materials to do your projects could cause safety hazards that put your household safety at risk.

Some projects need specific materials to ensure they are safe and last long. If you know a particular brand or company known for making these products, it would be best to trust them.

5. If doing it yourself costs more than the pre-made

• Consider the cost of the tools you have to buy so you can do this specific project. If purchasing the tools plus your time and labor costs more than buying something in a store or hiring a professional, that might be the smarter choice.

There are specific tools needed for precisely cutting each material like wood, steel, or fabric. It’s not worth spending more on equipment, especially if you use the tool just once.

When It Does Make Sense to DIY

Here are some reasons why DIY is a better choice for specific projects:

1. A project that you will enjoy doing

• A project could be a simple one that you can do without any professional or expert skills. Learn a lot of doable projects online to get a few techniques that you can use to enjoy doing a project and make sure it is done correctly. You can do projects by simply watching video tutorials posted on YouTube or DIY blogs like This Old House, Better Homes and Gardens, or DIY Network.

You should decide to DIY if a project is something you are passionate about or will not cause you any stress. According to reports, DIY projects have become a trend because people are now more interested in creating things, especially those stuck on their desks or at home because of the pandemic.

2. Customizing projects for a cause

• Sometimes it might cost you more to build something on your own. If dedicating your time and effort would mean a lot to someone, it should be worth it. Giving/receiving homemade projects is more heartwarming than giving a store-bought one. That’s a compelling reason to DIY.

3. It will help you save money

• If you plan to do DIY projects, you should make sure that you check the total cost of all the materials you will be using and compare it to the price of hiring or buying a pre-made one. If you find out that the cost will help you save money without sacrificing quality, it should be worth it to DIY.

There might be factors to consider before starting a DIY project, but it boils down to thinking about your priority. You are either trying to save money through DIY projects or making someone feel special. It is essential to prioritize the safety of your household, making sure that your DIY project will not cause any major issues that are usually revealed during a home inspection.