Putting on your DIY hat is arguably one of the best ways to reduce labor costs, sometimes saving you thousands of dollars on a single project. The tradeoff, of course, is that you have to put in the hours of sweat equity, and that sometimes the finished result has, shall we say, a few quirks.
A new report from Angi, which helps people find professionals for home improvement projects, warns against an even bigger issue, though.
How Much a Bad DIY Job Can Cost You
According to Angi’s aptly named “Home Oops Report”—which surveyed 1,000 homeowners in the United States—about 78% of homeowners who’ve gone the DIY route have experienced a project taking a sour turn. These DIYs range from attempting to fix a plumbing issue to installing a fence around the yard.
Projects gone wrong are a logistical headache, but they’re costly, as well. The report found that homeowners spent an average of $1,171 to fix a single DIY mistake, with 43% saying it cost them over $500. And in total, the report found that homeowners spend an average of $3,166 across three years tending to various project blunders.
Common Reasons DIY Projects Go Wrong
Often, the problem is that a project looks simpler than it actually is, that homeowners don’t have the skillset required to complete it, or they run into unexpected surprises along the way that ultimately require a pro.
“There’s room to laugh about the unexpected, but there’s also something to learn,” said Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi. “Understanding what you can comfortably handle yourself, getting help with more complicated work, and addressing small problems early can help keep the next chapter shorter—and less expensive.”
That said, unless you’re completely confident in your skill set or prepared to do some extra research and go through inevitable project ups and downs, it’s best to leave some upgrades and repairs to the pros.
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
