Will Doing It Yourself Save You Money?

An average home repairman will charge $25 to $50 for a service call, and that’s before he even takes a look at your problem. However, many repairs are easy to make, even if you are a repair-challenged sort of guy. Big box home repair stores such as Home Depot or Lowe’s often give free clinics on installing tile, hanging wallpaper and more. Television programs on HGTV and DIY (Do It Yourself) or PBS’s "This Old House" can provide a wealth of information when it comes to do-it-yourself work. Or, log on to the Internet. Do a Google search of "fixing a leaky faucet" and you’ll find 207,000 hits, including helpful and sometimes amusing videos.

Below is a listing of normal household jobs and repairs, and how to consider whether to attempt a DIY job or pay to have someone to do it.

PAINTING: It’s possible to paint an average room in a day when you do it yourself, and it shouldn’t cost much more than $50. A painter would charge anywhere from $200 to $600, depending on the difficulty of the job. It may be best to let a professional paint the exterior, when taking into consideration how long the job will take. Also, if you don’t have the correct ladders and/or a paint compressor, these items will need to be rented. There’s also the difficulty/danger aspect to think about.

PLUMBING: Performing simple plumbing repairs (leaky faucets, clogged sinks, etc.) can save big money, as plumbers can make as much as $25 an hour. Repairs such as replacing shower heads or faucets are a bit more difficult but can be done if you’re good at following directions. However, if you need to install a new toilet or do any major piping, let the pro handle it.

LOCKSMITH WORK: Replacing locks will take patience and the ability to work with small parts, but it is a relatively straightforward repair. A professional locksmith will charge between $17 to $18 an hour, plus his service call. Save money and DIY.

ELECTRICAL WORK: Rewiring a lamp is a snap. Installing new lighting or ceiling fans (where wiring already exists) is not difficult, but it does require two sets of hands, so you’ll need an assistant. There is a bit of danger involved here, so if you are concerned about your lack of knowledge of all things electrical, expect to pay a pro around $20 an hour to do the work for you.

INSTALLATION WORK: It’s time-consuming and can be a little difficult to install tile or laminate flooring, but not impossible. Tile work requires a whole new set of tools, and if you’re installing ceramic or Saltillo tile, you’ll need to rent a tile cutter. Carpet installation, however, is better left to the professionals, as they know how to correctly lay it and stretch it. Marble or granite installation on floors and countertops is extremely difficult, and only the pros should attempt it.

APPLIANCE REPAIR: If it’s a simple fix, and you know how to do it, it’s possible to save at least $50 by DIY, factoring in the service fee and hourly rate. Keep in mind that not all appliances are created equal, and it is possible to make something worse by trying the repair on your own.

EXTERMINATION WORK: Many professional extermination services sell their products for the DIY crowd, and it’s possible to save several hundred dollars over the course of a year, if you’re not squeamish. However, if faced with an angry beehive, pay the professional to remove it. This is money always well-spent!

When thinking about home repairs, consider the difficulty of the job, your own abilities, availability of tools needed and how much money a DIY job will actually save.