DIY or hire a professional? Consumers are split

Choosing to remodel or renovate part of your property can help make a house feel fresh and even add value to it if it eventually lands on the market.

If it’s a project for the home or for a pet, the first big decision to make is whether to hire a professional or do-it-yourself. According to the National Association of Realtors®’ recent 2019 Remodeling Impact Report: DIY, 47 percent of home projects are done by the owner or renter, and 56 percent of projects for a pet are DIY.

For home projects, the majority of both DIY and professional work is done inside. Seventy-seven percent of DIY projects were interior and 72 percent of hired work was. The biggest project homeowners reported completing is bathroom renovations, 25 percent hired a professional, while 26 percent did it themselves. Following the bathroom is a kitchen upgrade. Nineteen percent DIYed, while 17 percent hired someone. The third most popular project is a complete kitchen renovation. Nine percent DIYed, while 16 percent left it to the professionals.

On the outside, the most popular project was roofing, where 39 percent hired someone and 35 percent did it themselves. Vinyl and wood windows were next, in which 24 percent DIYed and 17 percent hired. Vinyl siding followed, 15 percent hired a professional and 16 percent chose to do it personally.

Those who completed the projects reported a higher “joy score,” compared to those who hired a professional, at 9.6 compared to 9.9 out of 10. Eighty-one percent of those who did it themselves reported a major sense of accomplishment after the project, while only 73 percent of those who hired someone felt the same way.

For those completing a project for their pet, the most common is a fenced yard. Fifty-two percent hired a professional for it, while 37 percent did it themselves. Other popular projects include laminating floors (more likely to hire a professional) and a dog door (more likely to do it themselves) .

In pet projects, those who did themselves had a “joy score” of 9.4, while those who hired someone had a “joy score” of 9.3. Close to 80 percent of those who hired someone felt increased enjoyment after the project, compared to just 58 percent of those who did it personally.