To Pro or DIY: Understanding the Cost/Benefit Differences for Your Next Home Project
With so many DIY accounts out there, it’s mighty tempting to take on most of your home improvement jobs on your own. Some are genuinely easy enough to do and require very little in terms of skill or prep. Others, even if you can “technically” do it on your own, are always left to the professionals. At the end of the day, you only ever want to do a home project once. You may go back and redo it in another style, but you should never have to redo it just to fix the finish.
That’s why it’s important to be critically aware of your own skills. Those who work in construction or carpentry, for example, will have a much larger scope of “what they can DIY” versus those that have rarely ever picked up a hammer in their life. So long as you work within your limits and use this guide, you’ll know just when to go pro or DIY it:
When to Go Pro
Anything complicated or big generally should be left to the professionals, like when:
· You Need a Lot of Supplies
The first key example is if you need a lot of supplies to see your vision through. Paying consumer prices on things like soil or mulch when you’re working with a full backyard can be very, very expensive. Working with professionals means that you get access to landscaping supplies wholesale. Wholesale lets you save big by taking advantage of bulk discounts. You also get all of the materials that you need at once, and you don’t need to throw out your back trying to lug it from the truck to your yard.
· You Want Structures Built
If you want a patio built, outer buildings, verandas, or even raised plant beds, you will want to go with a reputable company. Their work should be insured, meaning if there’s an issue like something falls over, you have repercussions to take. Going through the professionals is also how you’ll know these structures fit with local regulations. This is important when it comes to home insurance. Whenever you make big changes to your home, your insurance company needs to know to make sure that these changes are included in your policy.
· You Want Works Done Fast
If you want things done well, and done fast, always go with the professionals. Even if you take on a project on your own with a full-time commitment, it simply won’t be the same. Professionals have a whole team and can even bring subcontractors and extra laborers if needed.
When to DIY
If you only want to garden, as in, plant things on your own, tend to your garden, and are happy with what you can manage with basic tools like boxed plant beds, pots, and your own two hands, then DIY your space to your heart’s content. This is usually the go-to for those who have inherited a decent patio space and just want to add oomph to the garden design. So long as you have a green thumb and aren’t doing anything too complicated, then absolutely enjoy!
