So you were watching HGTV and you were inspired to attempt some project they beautifully executed, which is admirable. However, there are a few basic questions you should ask yourself before you get started because while for some it may be a DIY for you it may not be. For instance, there are some people who can DIY a house extension, like physically build an extension onto their houses (gasp). For me, that would be a DIFM, which leads me to our first question:
1. What's my skill level/expertise?
If you have no experience with what you are attempting, start small. Don't try to upholster an entire sofa if you have no sewing or upholstery experience. Maybe start with a dining room chair seat or an ottoman and as you become aware of the challenges with smaller projects you will be better prepared and more knowledgable for the larger ones.
The second question is:
2. Do I have the time required to Do It Myself?
Often people will set unrealistic completion goals in the name of saving a buck. Sure you can save on the labor costs of demolishing your own kitchen and reinstalling it yourself, but how long will it take you to complete when you have to go to work for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? Doing it on evenings and weekends is certainly possible but not very likely. If it takes you twice or even three times as long to complete with the added cost of eating out and rental equipment, it may just pay to hire a professional.
The final question to ask yourself is:
3. Is it really less expensive to DIY?
We've all been there right? You come across this great project only to find that it requires a million materials and or tools that you need to purchase. So now that you've purchased $150 worth of materials, maybe it would've been worth it to buy that silver leaf table for the $180 it costs online. And God forbid if you make a mistake and have to pour in more money to correct it.
These are just some guidelines for determining whether you should do it yourself or hire some help. Happy decorating!
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