Discover when DIY projects truly save money versus when to hire professionals, considering materials, time investment, skills, and long-term value.
The following is a guest post from my bloggy friend Teri Silver. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.
DIY Economics: Smart Choices for Your Home and Wallet
Money doesn’t grow on trees. A penny saved is a penny earned. Don’t spend what you don’t have. We’ve all heard these old sayings, but it’s hard to think “thrifty, frugal, and logical” when your brain says “I want it and I want it now!”
Not everything has to be purchased brand new; sometimes it’s actually cheaper to do it yourself. DIY or buy? They both have their advantages. What makes a good DIY project? That depends on you.
DIY Cost Effectiveness
When deciding if DIY is cheaper, take into account the amount of money you’d have to spend on materials, especially if you’re investing in real estate. Some projects are inexpensive, others… not so much.
Simple do-it-yourself tasks don’t require much… stuff like hanging a picture, touching up furniture with paint or stain, or digging a rain garden. If you have the tools on hand, put them to work! But purchasing new utensils for a rare project isn’t (necessarily) a good investment.
Customizing a piece of furniture to make it look a specific way—if you know how—is often a better DIY project than hiring someone to do it for you (which can get rather pricey).
Time is Money
Cost-effectiveness is not just about how much money you’ll have to spend; time is also a measured factor. If a DIY project would take more time than you have to give, it may be a better idea to buy it instead of trying to make it. Same thing goes for a home improvement chore. Hiring someone else can be worth it when you don’t have the time or skills.
Time-consuming projects like painting a house or resodding a lawn may be better suited for a professional. Common painting mistakes can end up costing a homeowner more to fix than the original financial outlay.

Labor Costs
The price of hiring a professional contractor for any type of home improvement project varies, depending on the job and where your home is located. (The cost of living varies around the country). Sometimes, you can do the job yourself—if you know how. But some jobs are better left to the pros, like heating and air conditioning, plumbing, and septic cleaning. Cleaning out gutters might seem like an easy DIY job, but it can be dangerous too.
Skill Assessment
Doing it yourself is definitely cheaper when you know how. If you’re the kind of person who actually can pound a nail straight, why hire a handyman? But be honest—can you (or do you really want to) fashion a koi pond for the garden by yourself? Are you skilled enough to build a pergola for the backyard deck? When hanging a light fixture, are you able to attach it properly to the wiring in the ceiling? Step-by-step tutorials are online, but they’re not always suitable for home improvement project newbies.
Reusing and Repurposing
Do-it-yourself projects are good reasons to find items that are ready for new ownership. Check out your nearby antique or thrift stores (like Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity ReStore, for example) to find “new-to-you” treasures. Repurposing products often costs less than brand new and helps reduce waste.
DIY Saves! (Or Does It?)
DIY saves! Well, sometimes. Doing it yourself has its advantages, especially when you’re trying to save a few bucks.
Home repairs are hit or miss, depending on the project. Making gifts and decorations is generally cheaper than buying similar items. With the cost of eating out these days, home cooking is easier on the budget. Growing fruits and vegetables in the garden is true “farm-to-table” that saves money.
The bottom line for DIY— you’re not paying labor costs. But you’re also not getting professional service, which may be much better than what you can do yourself. In the end, it’s all about value. If the value of your own efforts works for the project, then it’s a good DIY. If you aren’t satisfied with the outcome of what you’ve done, then it’s a waste of money. After all… you get what you pay for.
Feature Photo Credit: Freepik