6 Home Renos You Should Always Do Yourself (and 4 to Leave to the Pros)

This story is a part of our Old House New Issue, where we explore why people are no longer moving in 2024, and how to renovate your current home to make it work for you. To learn more about where to start on home renos, which projects to prioritize, and how to love the home you have, check out our full issue here.

Tackling DIY home renovations is a great way to save money, flex your creativity, and personalize your home in a fun and rewarding way. From painting and landscaping to simple wall treatments, the possibilities are endless. However, hiring the pros has its place too. Some projects require specialized skills, tools, and expertise only professionals can provide. 

Ready to start your next reno? Here are a few home renovations that you should always tackle yourself and some that you should definitely leave to the pros.

Painting 

Painting can be time-consuming, but it’s an easy and rewarding DIY project. From painting walls and ceilings to repainting cabinetry, there are so many ways that paint can be used to upgrade your home. Professional painters have their time and place, too, but for most small residential projects, painting is best left as a DIY project. 

“If the color is off, or the brushstrokes aren’t as smooth as you’d hoped—no big deal,” says interior designer Ruben Gutierrez of Errez Design. “You’re not carving your mistakes into stone; you’re layering on a bit of character. Your worst outcome will only require you to grab another can of paint and try again.”

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Installing Wall Treatments

If you’re unfamiliar with installing wall treatments other than paint, the process can seem daunting. However, installing treatments like wallpaper, molding, paneling, and more is far simpler than it looks.

It only requires a few tools and video tutorials can easily be found to help you if needed. Once completed, this is one of those projects that will feel so rewarding.

Landscaping

Landscaping can significantly impact the overall look of your home, and it’s a great DIY project to tackle. If planting gardens feels intimidating, don’t be afraid to scour the internet for inspiration.

Learning to landscape is a journey of trial and error, so don’t be afraid to dive in head first and get your hands dirty. Ultimately, just getting out in the sunshine and getting your hands in the soil will help the whole thing feel worth it, regardless of how your gardens turn out.

Installing Shelves and Closet Systems

Shelves and ready-to-assemble closet systems are simple to DIY with a few tools. These projects can feel daunting to tackle, especially since you need to be pretty accurate with a measuring tape at times, but with a little patience, they are well worth it. 

Replacing Light Fixtures

While complex electrical rewiring is definitely not an at-home job, replacing light fixtures is a simple process that anyone can learn to do. It only takes a few minutes to complete, which makes hiring an electrician for this simple job pretty much pointless—especially since most electricians charge by the hour. Instead, save that hard-earned money for projects where an expert is absolutely required.

Simple Drywall Work

Do you have a hole in the wall that needs to be patched? Or a small area of drywall that needs to be redone? Before you call an expert to handle it, try tackling it yourself! Drywall is super easy to work with, and the entire process is forgiving should you make any mistakes.

All you’ll need is sheets of drywall, drywall mud, putty knives, a drill, a precision knife, screws, and sandpaper (and a lot of patience for sanding). Trust us, once you tackle the first drywall project successfully, you’ll never go back.

Tasks to Leave to the Pros

Electrical Rewiring or Upgrading the Panel

It’s no accident that electrical work is at the top of the list. This is definitely a project that is best left to the pros. 

“Tinkering with your home’s electrical system is like deciding to perform surgery on yourself because you watched a couple of YouTube videos,” Gutierrez says. “Trust me, this is where you want a seasoned hand, someone who knows exactly where every wire leads and what it can do.”

Plus, it’s easy to do things wrong and require an expert’s help to undo what you did anyway,

Installing or Repairing HVAC Systems

Similarly, HVAC is another specialized trade that should always be left to trained professionals. Attempting an HVAC DIY poses a safety risk and can cause considerable damage to your home. Save yourself time, effort, and danger by calling in a pro for your HVAC needs.

Plumbing Work

Generally, anything water-related in your home should be left to an expert. Water can cause significant damage to homes quickly, leaving you paying way more for repairs than you would if you had just called a plumber to begin with. 

Structural Changes

Anything related to your home’s structure requires the expertise of a trained architect or structural engineer. This includes changes to the load-bearing walls, major house additions, and foundation changes. 

“If you’re thinking about knocking down a wall, especially a load-bearing one, just stop,” Gutierrez says. “You don’t want to turn your home into a high-stakes game of Jenga. You might think you’re opening up space, but you could easily bring the whole place down on your head.”

The last thing you want is to cause major structural damage to your home—talk about dangerous and expensive.