When to Hire a Handyman Instead of Doing It Yourself

Plenty of home projects are great DIY territory. Others cost more in mistakes and time than the handyman would have charged. Here's how to draw the line.

The 3-question test

1. Safety: Could a mistake hurt you or someone else?
2. Tools: Do you own them, and do you know how to use them?
3. Time: Is your weekend worth more than the labor bill?

If you answer "no, no, yes" to those — call someone.

Good DIY candidates

• Painting a room
• Hanging shelves and TVs into studs
• Replacing cabinet hardware
• Swapping a light fixture (with the breaker off)
• Basic landscaping

Better to hire out

• Anything involving the main electrical panel
• Gas line work
• Roof repairs above a single story
• Structural changes (load-bearing walls)
• Tile work in wet areas
• Multi-trade projects (a bathroom remodel touches plumbing, electrical, and finish work)

The hidden cost of DIY

Renting tools, buying the wrong material twice, and fixing your own mistake can easily double the cost of hiring a pro. A handyman's hourly rate looks expensive until you compare it to a full Saturday plus three Home Depot trips.

A good rule: if you'd be embarrassed to show the finished job to a buyer, hire it out.