DIY: Is it worth it?

While DIYing a home improvement project can save a few dollars, it can end up costing even more if not done correctly.

Just how much? It depends on the project. Flooring installation is the priciest project DIYers have messed up and subsequently had to spend more money on. According to a recent porch.com study, those who attempted to install flooring and made a mistake spent an additional $829. Exterior painting is another project that can be costly if an error is made. The average DIYer spent an extra $447 if they made a mistake.

Mistakes cost an average of $130 for DIYers.

Not surprisingly, the top reason people opt to DIY a project is to save money, according to 33% of respondents. Still, 20% of people said they enjoy the projects, while 17% reported the project “seemed” easy.

The average person finished four to five DIY projects in the last year, spending around $1,700 in total. Owners were more likely than renters to do a project and spent more on average. Owners completed 4.8 projects, compared to renters’ 3.9 projects, and spent $412 per project, compared to renters’ $275.

Millennials are the generation who spend the most, at $405 per project, averaging 4.6 projects a year, followed by Generation X at $345 and 4.8 projects a year and baby boomers at $331 and 4.3 projects per year. Men are more likely to outspend their female counterparts, at $401 compared to $351. Men were also more likely to do more projects, at 4.9, compared to women’s 4.3 projects.

When working together, couples didn’t always agree on their home improvement projects. Twenty-eight percent of those working on a project said it caused fights with their partner. The biggest problem project? Electrical wiring or rewiring, according to 43.6%. Drywall hanging and patching was second at 41.7% and replacing an electrical outlet was third at 39.1%.

Needless to say, some projects are perfectly doable by most residents, but some are better left to professionals.