Use this guide to know when it’s best to save money by DIY and when it’s best to save time by hiring a professional!

 

 

Do-It-Yourself if:

 

✦It’s an easy enough project.

 

The best projects to tackle yourself are the simple ones. Once you’re certain that you understand the directions and are confident that you can execute them properly, doing a project yourself can save you quit a lot of money. –

 

✦You’re willing to do the research.

 

Take the time to research everything properly about the project. If, for example,   you want to paint your cabinets, make sure you watch tutorial videos, ask a store associate for advice, or read about the best options for this kind of painting job.

 

✦You have enough time.

 

 If you don’t have enough free time to complete the task, because you’re busy with work or other obligations, you risk making costly mistakes by rushing through the project.

 

 

Hire a Pro if:

 

✦ You don’t have all the tools.

 

When DIYing it’s easy to forget that some bigger tools need to be rented or bought for the project, so that’s left out of the budget. A Pro, however, already has this and many other crucial details in mind and is ready to get the job done.

 

✦ Serious damage is a possible risk.

 

 It’s better to avoid DIY projects if they could cause any damage to yourself or to your home. Anything that could cause major plumbing damage due to water leaking inside a wall, or leaving behind a faulty electric work that will then overload and possibly cause a fire.

 

✦The project requires a permit.

 

Make sure you are up to date on your local rules, and you know well what you can and can’t do. Some renovation jobs could require a specific permit in order to do them, and in those cases, only professionals are allowed to do them.