The good news is that if you’re savvy, you can get your home renovation projects done much cheaper by going the DIY route than hiring a professional contractor. But you need to understand the costs and risks before committing to the DIY path.
For example, if you’re not quite sure what you’re doing or have limited experience in a specific area of the home, you may make mistakes that could be costly. Depending on the nature of those errors, they could include destroying drywall or tampering with your home’s electrical infrastructure. This type of mistake can easily cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair.
Another common pitfall is underestimating the scope of a project and ending up with a job that takes a lot longer than you expected. That can leave you with an in-over-your-head feeling and eat into your weekend, which isn’t ideal for anyone.
The best way to minimize your costs is by doing several small but impactful projects all at once rather than taking on one massive project and dragging it out over weeks and months. You’ll also want to prioritize improvements that are likely to add value to your home and avoid making structural changes, which can be more expensive than they might seem. A repainted front door, for example, is a low-cost improvement that can give your home an instant facelift. Other affordable improvements include upgrading your appliances and installing energy-efficient lighting.