Compare doing a project yourself versus hiring a contractor. Enter the quote and your DIY costs to see the savings and what your time is worth.
DIY Cash Savings
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Money saved vs the contractor.Usage Tip
Be honest about hours — first-timers often take two to three times as long as a pro. If your effective pay rate comes out low, that is a sign to hire it out.
THE MATH
DIY out of pocket = materials + tools/rentals
Cash savings = contractor quote − DIY out of pocket
Effective pay = cash savings ÷ your hours
Cash savings = contractor quote − DIY out of pocket
Effective pay = cash savings ÷ your hours
DIY trades your time and effort for the contractor labor and markup. The cash saving is what you keep by not hiring out; the effective pay rate shows what that saving is worth per hour of your work.
Valuing your time turns the comparison into a true cost, not just cash.
Valuing your time turns the comparison into a true cost, not just cash.
DIY savings are real but so are the risks: mistakes, missing tools, permit issues, and the time the job actually takes (usually more than you expect).
Some work (structural, electrical, gas, roofing) is worth hiring out for safety, code, and resale — a cheap DIY that fails inspection costs more.
If the effective pay rate is low and the job is unpleasant or risky, hiring out may be the better deal.
Some work (structural, electrical, gas, roofing) is worth hiring out for safety, code, and resale — a cheap DIY that fails inspection costs more.
If the effective pay rate is low and the job is unpleasant or risky, hiring out may be the better deal.