14 Times Your DIY Skills Are Better Than Hiring a Pro

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There are some people that love to roll up their sleeves, grab a toolbox and get their hands dirty on a project. Nothing makes them happier than standing back and taking pride in what they’ve made, saying, ‘I made that.’” However, the most confident DIY enthusiast may, on occasion, start to wonder whether they should be calling in a professional. And when it comes down to it, pros can be expensive and a bit complicated.

The good news? You’re going to find lots of times when you can apply your skills, patience, and creativity to outshine whatever that hired hand would have produced. Here are a few of them.

Power Washing Your Exterior

Photo Credit: Virrage images/Shutterstock

A good power wash can make your home look like new — from patios to siding. This satisfying task can be handled by you by renting a power washer for the weekend. The settings are pretty sensitive, so just be careful not to apply too much pressure, or you will damage it.

Re-caulking Your Bathroom

Re-caulking a Bathtub or Shower — Photo Credit: Pexels

The caulk around your tub or shower can crack and become dingy over time. It’s easier to grab a tube of caulk and a scraper than to call a handyman. Taking off the old stuff and putting on the new caulk is hardly any work and makes the world of difference in keeping your bathroom waterproof and fresh.

Building a Fire Pit

Tired of dreaming of cozy evenings by a fire? That’s where you don’t need a landscaper. Arranging pavers in a circle is easy enough to get a simple backyard fire pit built. Not only will you save money but you’ll have a good story to share by the fire.

Fixing a Leaky Faucet

While a dripping faucet may seem like a big deal, most leaks can be resolved with a few basic tools and a YouTube tutorial. The culprit is often a worn out washer or O-ring, which costs pennies to a plumber’s charge. When you finally hear the drip stop you’ll feel like a superhero.

Installing Shelving

Installing your own storage solutions — from bookshelves to floating kitchen shelves — is easier than you think. You don’t just get to pick what they look like and where they are placed, but you also avoid costly custom options. Your best friends for this project are a good drill and a level.

Changing Light Fixtures

Replacing an old light fixture with something new can make a world of difference. This is something you can definitely do yourself, as long as you’re comfortable turning off the breaker and following basic electrical safety guidelines. If you’ve ever paid an electrician to connect a couple of wires, you’ll know how good it feels to win this one.

Building a Garden Bed

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Building a garden bed is a simple, rewarding outdoor project, whether you want to grow veggies or flowers. Cut some wood to size, put it all together for a box, fill it with soil, and it’s as easy as that. The bonus? It can be designed to fit your space perfectly — something store bought never will.

Repairing Drywall Holes

Patching Drywall Holes — Photo Credit: Pexels

Got a hole in your wall? Don’t panic. Fortunately, fixing drywall is a DIY project that doesn’t need the pro. A repair kit can patch small holes, and larger damage may require a piece or two of new drywall. Either way, just a little spackle, sandpaper and patience will do the trick.

Laying Peel-and-Stick Tiles

Repairing Broken Tiles — Photo Credit: Pexels

If you want to give your kitchen backsplash or bathroom floor a design update without a complete renovation, here’s what to consider. Tiles are your new best friend. And they’re affordable, easy to install and forgiving if you need to reposition them. Also, this is a low stress upgrade since there’s no mortar or grout to mess with.

Creating a Gallery Wall

Couple Arranging Picture Frames — Photo Credit: Blue Bird/Pexels

The statement a gallery wall can make in any room is huge, and arranging photos and art into one gallery wall is easy to do. Instead of hiring someone to do this, take a hammer, some nails and a measuring tape and do it yourself. What’s nice about DIY here is there’s no judgment, no extra charges, and you can keep tweaking the layout until it’s perfect.

Upcycling Furniture

Man working on furniture — Photo Credit : Pikwizard

Perhaps before you throw that old dresser or coffee table, you should give it a makeover. Even the shabbiest piece can be transformed into a showstopper with sanding, painting or adding new hardware. When it comes to this, your creativity can outshine any pro’s catalog.

Installing Weatherstripping

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You don’t need an HVAC expert to keep your home cozy in winter. The most basic solution to sealing drafts and lowering energy bills is weatherstripping the doors and windows. Proper sealing can save homeowners money on heating and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors might sound daunting, but with the right tools, it’s totally possible. You can rent a sander from your local hardware store and buy some stain and polyurethane to bring your floors back to life for a fraction of the cost of hiring a pro.

Painting Your Walls

Painting a room isn’t a complicated thing. Although professionals may have some tricks to do it faster, you don’t need much more than basic equipment to do it at your pace. You can transform your space over a weekend with a good roller, some painter’s tape and a drop cloth. Moreover, DIY painting gives you the opportunity to decide if that bold accent wall will actually work for you.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.