When To DIY (And When Not To)
I don’t know how many times someone has asked me why I did something a certain why and my response was always, “I didn’t have any money!” lol I think budget is probably the number one reason people choose the DIY route. There is also my number reason that I can’t in good conscious hire someone to do something I am perfectly capable of doing myself. Even I have my limits though!
(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)
When it comes to managing a property or homestead, knowing when to DIY and when not to is a skill. Sometimes, you should do jobs yourself to save money. But other times, it pays to rely on professionals.
We all know this instinctively. But when it comes to managing our homes, we don’t always apply these principles in practice. We think we’re making the right decisions, only to discover we’re not.
In this post, we take a look at when you should be DIYing on your home, and when you shouldn’t. That’s not to say there’s no overlap. It’s just that some jobs require a high level of skill, so if you are worried about doing them, then you probably want to go to an expert.
When To DIY
Let’s look at some examples when it makes sense to DIY.
When You Have Time On Your Hands
The first situation is when you have time on your hands. If you have the luxury of time on your side, DIY projects are usually something you should attempt. You aren’t facing any deadlines and you don’t need to get anything done by a certain date. Because of this, you can afford to take things slowly and do them carefully. You aren’t rushing through projects in ways that might cause you to make a mistake. It doesn’t matter if something drags on for a month or two because you aren’t working under any strict constraints.
When It Is Too Expensive
Another time when DIY makes sense is when it is too expensive to call in the pros. Sometimes, it just makes sense to spend the time doing it yourself when you have a spare moment.
Expenses can be high in some situations. But these costs often involve simple jobs you can do yourself. Often, you can simply learn how to perform various tasks, turning your DIY project into an educational experience and something you can share on social media if you love talking about your renovations.
When You Want To Create A Personal Project
Another time when doing things yourself makes sense is when you want to create a personal project. For many people, these activities are just fun and a wonderful opportunity to build skills.
For example, you might want to paint furniture or create wall art yourself instead of buying it from the store. You might also want to put furniture together if buying it flat-pack, or even make it yourself from scratch if you have the necessary carpentry skills.
If you choose the DIY route, it should be for a passion project. Anything you take on should be a labor or love, not something you have to grind through.
This way, you’ll see it through to completion. You won’t feel like you’re wasting time or doing something that isn’t worthwhile.
When You Want To Carry Out Basic Repairs
Lastly, you should consider going down the DIY route when you want to carry out basic repairs. This option can save you a lot of money compared to hiring a professional.
Start with simple plumbing repairs, like fixing leaky faucets or unblocking toilets with plungers. These tasks can be unpleasant, but they are perfectly doable with basic skills.
You could also experiment with fixing shower heads. Bathing them in vinegar or another mild acid can remove limescale in hard water areas and help them flow better in the future.
You should also learn how to change light fittings. Usually, you turn off the power to your home and unscrew the switch unit from the wall and replace it with a new one, using screws. The only complicated bit is rewiring the unit, but just follow the instructions on the pack. It’s nothing complicated.
Lastly, you can do most gardening and landscaping yourself. For example, you don’t need to hire a professional to mow your lawn for you.
Many of these DIY tasks come with a sense of satisfaction once you complete them. Therefore, it’s well worth including them in your routine and learning what to do to keep your property in good condition.
When Not To DIY
Of course, there are times when DIYing is not advisable. Trying to do these yourself could put you in danger and potentially cause you to lose a lot of money.
When You Need Major Plumbing
Don’t attempt to do it yourself when you require major plumbing. It’s too complicated and if you get it wrong, it could cause permanent damage to your property and void your warranty.
Instead, get a professional plumber over for this type of work. Work with someone who understands pressure ratings, your current home setup, and how they can help you going forward.
Particularly work with a plumber if your property has an intractable problem you want to solve. For example, if the pipework keeps banging, it could mean you have a water hammer in your system, which is notoriously hard to fix.
When You Are Considering Making Structural Changes
You also want to work with professionals whenever considering making structural changes to your home, such as changing the layouts of your rooms or adding an extension. Experts have the skills and knowledge to ensure any changes you make are safe.
For example, don’t change the body of your home unless you work with a structural engineer. You could knock through your wall and your entire house could collapse.
The same applies to roof repairs. If you want to change the room, hire an expert who knows how to do it in stages while protecting your interiors at the same time. Don’t attempt to remove and replace it yourself. That’s asking for trouble. Always use a professional roofing company to do the work for you.
You don’t want to make any mistakes by trying to take on a project like this yourself. If you do, you could permanently damage your home and force yourself to spend lots of money on additional, very expensive repairs. You could also invalidate your insurance in some cases.
When You Want To Replace Your Windows
It’s also a good idea to go to professionals when you want to swap out your windows and doors. That’s because you need specialist equipment and you could damage your new units substantially.
Whenever I’m using a window replacement near me, I always check things like professional credentials and accreditations. These usually indicate a high-quality outfit, and not someone just looking to make a quick buck.
If you replace your windows, be careful. Ensure you seal all the gaps and choose units that complement your property. Never choose the cheapest option.
When You Want To Fix Complex Systems
Another time to call out the experts is when you want to fix complex systems like your HVAC or boiler. Never attempt to remedy these yourself.
HVAC units comprise multiple systems, including compressors, fans, condensers, and vents. All of these require specialist tools to fix.
The same is true of furnaces. Units are far more complex than you might think.
When You Need A Legal Permit To Do The Work
Related to this last point, you sometimes require a legal permit to carry out specific work on your home. Professionals often know local codes and regulations, allowing them to bypass any legal issues that might scupper your efforts.
The main problem is health and safety. You might not be allowed to handle hazardous materials, like asbestos. You might also have regulations in your area about mold removal and who you can use.
If you do decide to use a professional, check they have the necessary licenses and accreditations. They must show you their work permits before they start to ensure they aren’t putting you or your property at risk.
So there you have it: a comprehensive guide on when to DIY, and when not to. Generally, you can do a lot of work on your house yourself, but sometimes it’s just worth going to the experts.
(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)