I respect people who want to work on their own house. I started out that way. But after two decades in construction - and seeing what happens when DIY goes sideways - I've learned there's a big difference between "I can do this" and "I should do this."
Here's the honest breakdown of when to grab your tools and when to grab your phone.
Good DIY Projects
These are projects where mistakes are fixable, the learning curve is reasonable, and you're not risking major damage to your house or yourself.
Painting
DIY-Friendly: Interior walls, ceilings, trim (if you're patient)
- Prep work takes longer than you think, but it's learnable
- Mistakes are fixable - just paint over them
- Biggest risk is wasting time and material, not destroying anything
Simple Trim and Molding
DIY-Friendly: Baseboards, basic crown molding, door casings
- Requires a miter saw and patience
- YouTube can teach you the basics
- Start in a closet or less-visible room to practice
Basic Repairs
DIY-Friendly: Small drywall holes, squeaky floors, door adjustments
- Low stakes - worst case you call someone to redo it
- Good way to learn basic skills
- Tools are inexpensive
Deck Maintenance
DIY-Friendly: Power washing, staining, minor board replacement
- Straightforward process
- Hard to mess up badly
- Saves a lot of money doing it yourself
Call a Pro Instead
These are projects where the cost of mistakes outweighs what you'd save doing it yourself. Or where you need specialized knowledge, tools, or licensing.
Anything Structural
Call a Pro: Load-bearing wall removal, foundation work, major framing
Electrical Work
Call a Pro: New circuits, panel upgrades, any wiring beyond basic switches/outlets
- Code violations can fail home inspections when you sell
- Fire risk if done wrong
- Most jurisdictions require licensed electricians
- Insurance might not cover DIY electrical fires
Plumbing (Beyond Basic)
Call a Pro: Re-routing pipes, gas lines, water heaters, sewer work
- Water damage gets expensive fast
- Gas leaks are life-threatening
- Permits required for most plumbing work
- Specialty tools you don't want to buy for one job
Roofing
Call a Pro: Anything beyond patching a few shingles
- Falling off a roof is the #1 DIY injury
- Improper installation voids shingle warranties
- Leaks cause major interior damage
- Insurance might not cover DIY roof work
HVAC
Call a Pro: Furnace repair, AC installation, ductwork
- Requires specialized knowledge and tools
- Refrigerant handling needs certification
- Improper work can create carbon monoxide risks
- Voiding warranties is expensive
The Gray Area
Some projects fall in between. These might be DIY-able if you're experienced, but most people should hire out.
Kitchen/Bathroom Remodels
It Depends: Can you handle parts? Yes. The whole thing? Probably not.
- DIY-able: Painting, new hardware, maybe tile if you're motivated
- Hire out: Plumbing, electrical, structural changes, anything with permits
- Consider: Project managing and doing the finish work yourself while pros handle technical stuff
Flooring
It Depends: Vinyl plank and laminate? Go for it. Hardwood refinishing? Get a pro.
- Click-lock flooring is genuinely DIY-friendly
- Tile requires skill - mistakes are permanent and expensive
- Hardwood refinishing needs specialized equipment
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before you decide, run through these:
- Do I have the right tools? And I mean ALL the tools, not just the basic ones.
- Do I have the time? DIY always takes 2-3x longer than you think.
- What's the cost of a mistake? Repainting a room? Fine. Re-piping after a flood? Not fine.
- Does it need a permit? If yes, that's usually a hint it needs a pro.
- Will this affect resale? Buyers and inspectors spot DIY work fast.
- Is my insurance okay with this? Some policies exclude coverage for DIY failures.
When DIY Goes Wrong
I've been called to fix a lot of DIY disasters. Common ones:
- Load-bearing wall removed: $15k-30k to fix, plus structural engineer fees
- Bad electrical work: House fire, insurance denies claim
- Plumbing leak behind walls: $8k in water damage from a $200 supply line
- Improper tile install: $6k to rip out and redo when it starts falling off
All of these started with someone watching a YouTube video and thinking "How hard can it be?"
Still Not Sure?
Call and describe the project. I'll tell you honestly if it's something you can handle or if you should hire it out. No charge for a quick phone conversation. I'd rather give you straight advice up front than get called to fix something later.
Thinking about a project? Let's talk through it. I'll let you know what makes sense to DIY and what to leave to the pros.