DIY remodeling projects continue to bring in mixed feelings among homeowners. Age, source of motivation and inspiration, and general desire to learn and achieve play out in this debate. To get more insights, cost, time, and quality of work are discussed.
Costly
DIY projects gain traction every time there is an economic downturn. People often site cost, free time, and potentially a fun endeavor as the top reasons to try it. However, DIY projects might end up being costlier than you thought. Nevertheless, 45% of DIY enthusiasts cite TV shows as their greatest source of inspiration. People are more educated today as most DIYers often caution enthusiasts of the potential dangers of trying to do a project they are not competent to do. Most of them watch the tutorials to have an idea of what to expect when they call in an expert.
Time-consuming
A DIY renovation project can be complicated and time-consuming. Increasingly, people are watching YouTube tutorials to understand what is required to make general home improvements, such as finishing a basement, adding a door, repurposing garages, and crawl areas. Even though people know that a professional contractor can complete the project in a short time, the projected cost savings and the confidence that they are learning something seems to be prevalent. People often start with simple tasks like painting walls, but they get into more complex tasks over time.
Low quality work
People seem unafraid of ending up with low-quality work as long as they are the ones who did it. A quick look at a Harvard University Study shows that about 34% of all home improvement projects done by people younger than baby boomers are likely to be DIY. A further 18% of those done by baby boomers are likely to be DIY. Combined, 34% of 44% and 18% of 52% make up 24.32% of all home improvement projects. Even though people don’t have in-depth knowledge about the tools, materials, and steps that should be taken while renovating a home, many are still finding it worth trying. Perhaps the proliferation of DIY channels and resources all over the internet is the greatest motivator.
The majority that avoids DIY cite quality of work, time, and lack of technical skills as major barriers. They want magazine-worthy projects and can’t take the risk. Most people continue to finance projects, making it difficult to gamble. Professional installations are still critical.
