DIY Projects or Hire a Pro? Hint: Both!
What did you do during the pandemic-induced lockdowns? Being stuck at home inspired 89% of Americans (according to a report by Bid-on-Equipment.com) to improve their abode with home improvement projects. That collective movement continues to reverberate through the home industry.
Shock Wave
Catching the home industry off guard, Americans thronged their local landscape and building supply stores with an overwhelming appetite for supplies. The Bid-on-Equipment report reveals that 58% of the home improvement projects were by Americans who rolled up their sleeves and took the do it yourself (DIY) approach.
Home Bittersweet Home
Turns out 27% of those who went with the DIY projects approach regretted their decision. The top four DIY regrets were:
1) took too long,
2) cost too much,
3) disappointed with the results, and
4) too complicated/should’ve hired a pro.
Advice from a DIY Pro
We get it. Taking a home from mess to magnificent is a labor of love and a great source of pride. Some projects are a good candidate for your sweat equity. Others can quickly drain you of time, money, and patience over constant troubleshooting various complications.
There is another issue. How do you know that your idea helps the space achieve its full potential? Interior designers, landscape designers, architects, and builders often bring visions to life that never even crossed their client’s wildest dreams.
When Michael Poczkalski of Michael P Designs was shown a derelict building doomed for destruction, he pictured a posh library (spoiler: the homeowners love it).
When Robert Reeder of Robert Reeder Interiors gutted a kitchen and stairwell wall in an urban townhome, the homeowners were initially shocked, then utterly delighted.
When Robin Muto of Robin Muto Interiors showed her client, Emily Fazio, her future retro plan for Fazio’s kitchen, Fazio ditched her initial idea and embraced Muto’s plan. This is especially noteworthy considering that Fazio runs Merrypad.com a successful, home improvement, DIY blog. She is, for all practical purposes, a DIY pro. It’s for that reason, that Fazio knows what to surrender to a pro.
Better Together
Going with a pro does not mean surrendering involvement. It’s about being smart about your resources. A good professional will work with you so you can be part in the creative process and even help you channel your DIY spirit in a way that can help you shave costs in a productive manner.
In your search to find a professional, here’s our comprehensive list to get you started.