It's probably best for homeowners to DIY when it comes to the smaller things like crafts or personalized art. It can end up costing them more money if they DIY their home redesigns, this can be choosing the wrong paint color or big ticket furniture items. They'll end up spending $ on the original items that pick and then more to hire someone else to come in after them and fix things if it doesn't turn out how they envisioned it. Might as well hire someone who does it for a living and knows how to save them time and money along the way!

My husband and I are confident DIY-ers, but we have made our mistakes along the way. Everyone has to start somewhere, though, and often it's less expensive to paint a room twice yourself than paying a designer and a painter to do it once! The one thing, however, that I refuse to DIY is taking down walls, I always call the pros in for that! That and tile floors...it took my husband a year to tile a kitchen floor in our first house because he got sick of it, and I hire most tile work out as well (although a tile backsplash is in our skill set)

The word sand comes to mind and the natural color of the wood is cool. I would sand and varnish which is not difficult just time consuming. Good luck.

CMYfabriK yes, good point! I think most people can be so caught up trying to save money that they forget if they're competent or not. Love a crafty project!

Katie - tile backsplash skills should be celebrated! :)

I am familiar with many types of DIY projects because various family members are in trades and I've either watched or worked with them on other projects within the family homes. However, just because I know HOW to do something doesn't mean I'd do a good job. I always hire electricians and plumbers because those two things can cause extensive damage if something goes wrong. Beyond that, my rule of thumb is if I don't have specialized tools for a job that is best done with them, or if I would take a LOT longer than a pro or possibly end up costing more in materials because I don't have the experience, I'll probably hire a pro.

I DIY everything, and you can see my project here, if you're bored: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/diyers-corner-share-your-projects-and-tips-here-dsvw-vd~646925

We are very confident and skilled in DIY. It isn't nearly as hard as some believe it is. It helps to have a good set of tools! No reason to limit yourself to "crafty projects" if you are willing to learn and work hard. The few things we don't DIY include; countertop installation, laying carpet and large tree removal.

I love to DIY. I like the satisfaction of seeing my handywork. I also enjoy figuring out how to solve a problem when one pops up without having to call someone to fix it. But it scares me silly when my husband starts talking DIY. He underthinks things and uses tools and materials that aren't appropriate for the job. He gets a lot of sarisfaction out of his efforts. I stay in the house, go outside or go shopping while he is working to keep my sanity when sets out to fix something, though.

I think if the DIYer has the skill set then they should do it, if they want. I know as a homeowner that has to live with it we will do a better job than some "professionals" who don't have the same vested interest. My family had rental property while I was growing up so I learned at a fairly early age how to paint. I also married a man who is handy and can do a lot of things around the house. What won't we tackle? Granite, large tile jobs, major plumbing and electrical work, house siding, and hardwood installation.

I dont think I've ever DIY'ed. I have grand plans, but the skills do not match. I also lack alot of the tools!

Break up a DIY project into two parts. Do the parts you feel most comfortable with yourself and outsource the rest to a friend or professional with the tools and expertise you don't have. Professional designers and craftsman do this all the time, there is no rule that says DIY folks can't do the same. Attached is a photo of some benches I designed and built doing things this way, to great success.

I do everything I possibly can, electrics are easy, painting is easy, even easy to change parts on the boiler, but do not touch the gas part!

Even garden stuff from decking and pallet chairs, pallet table on wheels, pergola etc

Electrics, structural stuff - No
Decorating, 'destructive' work - Yes

If you're physically capable, it makes sense. I can't afford to get someone in to do the basics, and I'd rather spend the money on expert stuff.

Painting/decorating - yes

Electrics - no

Flat-pack furniture - sort of

Plumbing - definitely no

I like flat pack, esp Ikea

We're very inexperienced but confident DIYers. In the 5 months that we've had our house, we've done the obvious stripping and painting but have also turned our hands to tiling and knocking walls out (to put fireplaces back in).

We haven't tackled the kitchen or bathroom yet, which I think will be a bigger learning curve.

Next things on the list include sanding/finishing our floors, putting in new Windows (OH will be doing this), removing a gas fire and opening up two more fireplaces.

The only things we wouldn't consider having a go at ourselves are electrics and plastering (which is have a go at but the OH says I shouldn't).

Hi on the DIY discussion mention was made of its OK to replace boiler parts yourself however caution that unless you or your diy buddy is a qualified gas engineer you really ought not to touch it it's dangerous plus you can invalidate any guarantee you have on the boiler best left to the professionals although even that can be a euphemism for cowboy so check out Gas Safe Website for your local engineer first!

electrical parts are the parts i changed, the thermistors and minor things, no gas was hurt during this experiment

Not really. We use a professional as we are not skilled, and have very little spare time . I used to DIY but prefer to enjoy my precious time off

I've often wondered why people don't attempt things themselves, it surely gives a greater satisfaction. With 'YouTube' now, you can find out about all sorts of things. Obviously there are some things left best to professionals, plumbing and electrics etc, but isn't it more fun and far less expensive to have a go yourself first? What's the worst thing that can happen - maybe you'll have to eat humble pie at some point and call in someone to sort it out, but i'd never knock someone for trying to do it themselves. Our next door neighbours ( well,,,,,,the wife ) is obsessed with constantly re-decorating.............it must cost them a small fortune as they always call someone in to do it All that money is wasted, as it's just not adding value to their home. Of course if you add square footage it's a different story.

Have a go, how hard can it be, and won't you be proud when it's finished.!