To DIY or Not to DIY? That is the question.

Every time a home project pops up, there’s a decision to make: Do we tackle this ourselves, or is it worth hiring a pro? If you’re a hands-on type of person, it can be tempting to DIY everything—but just because you can doesn’t always mean you should.

A Real-Life Example: When Hiring Out Made Sense

When we bought our home, it had dark brown ceilings and café au lait brown walls, doors, and trim. I wanted soft white throughout. Now, painting isn’t technically difficult, and I don’t mind doing it—but this wasn’t a small project. The original paint was oil-based, which meant extra prep and primer to ensure the new latex paint would adhere properly.

I debated rolling up my sleeves and doing it myself, but in the end, I chose to hire it out. Watching three professionals spend days priming and painting every surface, I knew I had made the right call. My time was better spent focusing on my clients’ projects instead of spending weeks buried in paint fumes and rollers.

When it came to enclosing our back porch and rebuilding both the front porch and back walkway, we knew it was time to call in the professionals. Structural work requires expertise, permits, and the right tools—none of which we wanted to tackle ourselves. Hiring experienced pros meant the job was done efficiently, correctly, and without the stress of second-guessing our choices.

When DIY Was the Right Call

On the other hand, swapping out locks, installing medicine cabinets, and updating light fixtures? Those were easy DIYs. My husband had the skills and tools, so those were quick and simple fixes for us. It took just a couple of hours—less time than it would have taken to schedule someone. That was a no-brainer.

The DIY Decision-Making Framework

So how do you decide whether to DIY or call in the pros? Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Cost vs. Time

• DIY saves money, but what’s your time worth? If a project will take you weeks and a pro can do it in days, that’s something to think about.
• Will you need special tools or materials that you’ll never use again? Sometimes hiring a pro is cheaper in the long run.

2. Skill Level & Risk

• Be honest—do you actually have the skills to do the job right? Structural, plumbing, or electrical work can lead to expensive (or dangerous) mistakes if done incorrectly.
• If a mistake means a minor fix, DIY might be fine. If an error could cost thousands in repairs, it’s probably best left to the pros.

3. Frustration Factor

• Some projects are technically DIY-able but come with a massive frustration factor. (Looking at you, skim-coating walls and intricate tile work.)
• If a project is going to cause you endless stress, arguments, or headaches, outsourcing is probably worth it.

The Bottom Line

Just because you can DIY doesn’t always mean you should. The right balance depends on your time, patience, skill level, and what the project entails. Sometimes rolling up your sleeves makes sense. Other times, hiring a pro saves time, stress, and long-term costs.

What about you? How do you decide which projects to tackle yourself and which to leave to the experts?