DIY vs Pay Some Guy

Home renovation projects can be costly and time consuming, no matter if you do it yourself or hire out. So how do you decide when to DIY and when to hire a contractor?

Scope of Work

If your construction project requires site plans, permits, and skilled work such as plumbing, electrical, or HVAC, you are probably best suited to hire a contractor. Contractors are helpful for managing complex projects because they can oversee the schedule and budget. Experienced general contractors will also be able to handle issues that come up as work gets done to get you to the finish line without overspending.

Timeline

Especially in the past 2 years, lead times for materials and labor have increased. If you want your project to get done ASAP, hiring someone may not be the best method. Some companies such as painters may be available within the week, but drywall repair and other specialists may be booking jobs several weeks out. If you have the time and skills to DIY, sometimes it’s the fastest (but most time consuming) approach.

Budget

Most home owners decide to take on DIY projects for two reasons: 1) Cost savings and 2) they enjoy such projects or the feeling of accomplishment that results from doing it themselves. Cost tends to be a stronger factor for most, so if your project has a low budget, you’ll probably need to DIY some or all of it. When considering whether to hire a contractor or DIY, take the value of your time and quality of work into account. Many DIYers spend more time completing projects than a professional because they are inexperienced or don’t have the proper tools. If you make $50/hr at your job, it probably doesn’t make sense to take time off to do work that a $20-30/hr contractor could do, especially if that contractor completes the work faster at a higher quality.