Decide Between DIY or Professional Home Repairs

Cost Savings

Checklist Tasks

• List all required tools and estimate costs to compare with professional service fees.
• Research local building codes to avoid fines or forced rework for non-compliance.
• Assess your experience to find skill gaps that might lead to costly mistakes.
• Calculate total DIY time versus professional labor time and cost.
• Check if DIY work could void product or home warranties.
• Identify safety risks (e.g., heights, electricity, chemicals) requiring expertise.
• Estimate potential costs from DIY errors, wasted materials, or rework.
• Review credentials and references of local professionals, if considering hiring.
• Determine permit or inspection requirements needing a licensed contractor.
• Evaluate your backup plan if the repair exceeds your skill level.
• Compare expected lifespan and quality of DIY and professional repairs.
• Document steps, materials, and receipts for resale value and insurance purposes.