DIY or Don’t – What Americans Say About Home Projects

Hire a professional or do it yourself? In a survey of over 1,000 Americans completed by Frontdoor, 74% of respondents said they planned to complete a DIY project this year.

The DIY mentality has taken off in recent years, with 98% of respondents reporting that they had tried a DIY project in their lives. The rise in handiness may be attributed to the rise of online sites like Pinterest and YouTube, where DIYers can find a plethora of projects and tutorials. In fact, over half (52%) of survey respondents said they get most of their inspiration from social media.

Seven in 10 men surveyed said they considered themselves handy, compared to 3 in 5 women, and the average age for first-time DIY projects was 28. Driving factors for DIYs often include enjoyment and sense of accomplishment – 77% said DIY projects are fun, and 83% said they felt empowered by completing them.

But what are Americans DIYing the most?

Analyzing Google search data, Frontdoor reports that Americans are most interested in DIYing:

1. Chicken coops
2. Raised bed gardens
3. Storm shelters
4. Saunas
5. Outdoor lighting

Pennsylvania’s most popularly searched DIY was raised bed gardens, which also took the top spot in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.

How much does it cost to do it yourself?

The average amount respondents spent on their last projects was $804, spending an average of $1,674 in the last year. Forty-seven percent said they choose DIY projects because they can’t afford professionals.

Still, DIYs aren’t for everyone. Fifty-six percent thought they were stressful, and 42% said they regretted a project, with the top regrets being:

1. Didn’t turn out correctly (32%)
2. Took too much time (27%)
3. Cost too much (17%)
4. Looks ugly (14%) 

If you’re stuck in the middle of a project, here’s what other DIYers said they do: 

1. Consult YouTube (73%)
2. Consult Google (60%)
3. Call family (40%)
4. Call a friend (33%)
5. Consult social media (18%)
6. Call a pro (15%) 

Need some DIY advice? Here’s what survey respondents had to share: 

• “Triple your expectations of how many times you will have to go to the hardware store.” 
• “Set your expectations low and give yourself twice as much time as you think you’ll need.” 
• “Always assume it is much harder and takes much longer than social media makes you think.”