Question: Are there any projects that you wish you hadn’t DIY-ed? I’m in the middle of one that’s not going smoothly and I’m second-guessing my decision not to hire it out. – Holly
Answer: We get this question a lot. At first glance it’s hard to name a project we regretted finishing ourselves — maybe it’s the relief and pride that comes at the end, or the money saved, or the way the hard parts fade in memory. Still, there have been plenty of projects that made us seriously question our choices halfway through. I’ll admit to shedding a few tears over some of them.
Below are four major projects that nearly broke us, and what each experience taught us. The takeaway isn’t “stop DIY-ing.” It’s learn to DIY smarter: plan better, allow more time, and pick your battles.
#1: The Bathroom Demo. I tackled a full bathroom tile demo on a single Saturday while still working a 9–5 and with Sherry pregnant. I vastly underestimated how much time, strength, and endurance it would take and how much mess it would create. The physical exhaustion and the sheer volume of debris made it a lot tougher than expected.
Lesson learned: Demo can be as taxing as installation, especially in older homes with mortar and metal mesh behind the tiles. Now we plan for demo time, rent proper equipment when needed (a demolition hammer saved us later), and sometimes hire out just the demolition step so we can move on to the parts we enjoy. Expect demo to take longer and require more energy than you initially imagine.
#2: The Patio. We had contractors build a patio at our first house, but at our second we decided to DIY. We ordered materials from a stoneyard, including three tons of gravel, but forgot to plan for the labor of moving and spreading it by hand. It turned into a backbreaking task that required way more hauling than expected.
Lesson learned: Moving materials is often the hardest part. Whenever possible, arrange delivery to the exact spot, get extra hands, or pay for labor to avoid exhausting yourself. It’s usually worth spending money to save time, avoid injury, and preserve enthusiasm for the rest of the project.
#3: The Deck. The deck was one of the most anxiety-inducing projects because it combined heavy labor, unfamiliar challenges, structural requirements and inspections, and hot summer weather. We didn’t set a tight deadline, which is what made the project tolerable. Even so, there were moments I nearly handed it over to professionals. In the end it became one of my proudest accomplishments and boosted my confidence — despite the fatigue and a bad fall that left me in tears.
Lesson learned: Avoid unnecessary time pressure and try to have a flexible budget. A relaxed schedule and a bit of financial padding turn panic into perseverance. If possible, don’t force a strict deadline on complex structural projects; giving yourself breathing room prevents mistakes and keeps morale up.
#4: The Hardwood Floors. This one taught us the opposite lesson — we rushed. Our second house sold faster than expected, which stole the buffer time we had planned and left us racing to remove carpeting, paint trim, and install hardwoods before closing. Even with help from family and careful planning, the compressed schedule meant long, exhausting days and several moments of real frustration.
Lesson learned: Expect setbacks and build contingency into your schedule. Even the best plans can be derailed, so plan for at least one setback and keep sight of why you’re DIY-ing: saving money, learning skills, and proving you can finish tough tasks. Those reasons help you push through the slow, frustrating stretches.
Finally, know there’s no shame in calling in a pro when a project exceeds your skills or physical limits. As we gained experience, we also became more comfortable hiring out plumbing, major electrical work, load-bearing alterations, or other jobs that demand specialist knowledge. Sometimes hiring a pro after doing some of the prep work still saves money and reduces stress, and it frees you to take on projects that better match your abilities.
PS: If you want a simple framework we use to decide whether to DIY or hire it out, we’ve written about that evaluation process elsewhere and find it helpful when weighing the risks, costs, and learning opportunities of each job.