One minute you’re casually scrolling Pinterest, and the next you’re convincing yourself you can totally renovate your home, DIY style. And listen – I’m not here to crush that optimism! It’s messy, it’s humbling, and it will absolutely test your patience. But it’s also rewarding in a way that’s hard to explain until you’ve been knee-deep in ceiling paint at 11pm, wondering, “Who the hell do I think I am?”
Here’s everything I wish I knew before diving headfirst into DIY home renovations.
1. Labor is expensive… and I mean expensive
One of the first quotes we got was $6,000 just to paint the downstairs of our home. That included walls, ceilings, and the stairwell. SIX. THOUSAND. DOLLARS. So, we rolled up our sleeves and did it ourselves. We ended up spending around $800 total for paint and supplies. Was it exhausting? Absolutely. Worth it? 100%.
Still, it was a reminder that outsourcing – even for “simple” things – adds up fast. If you can do it yourself and you’re willing to put in the time, the savings can be huge.
However, looking back, I now see why they quoted $6,000… I also learned that I despise painting ceilings.
2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew
We knew we could paint. We were not so confident about laying vinyl plank flooring with precision. There’s a difference between being handy and being a professional tradesperson. Some projects require more than just YouTube and a can-do attitude – and that’s okay.
Pick your battles.
3. YouTube is the greatest teacher of our time
Toilets? YouTube. Garbage disposals? YouTube. Light fixtures, door handles, builder-grade mirror removal techniques? YouTube.
It’s shocking how much information is out there for free. Watching a few tutorials gave us the confidence to take on jobs we’d never imagined trying. And hey – we haven’t flooded the house yet!
4. It will take you longer than you think
Whatever timeline you have in your head, double it. Maybe even triple it. And then emotionally prepare yourself for it to still take longer. But don’t let that discourage you.
Progress is progress. You’ll get there. And when you do, it’ll feel that much sweeter.
5. Try first, then price it out
Don’t be afraid to give something a shot before you shell out for professional help. We went into a lot of tasks thinking, “Let’s just see how hard this really is.” Sometimes, we powered through. Other times, we put the tools down and called for reinforcements. No shame in either.
6. Splurge intentionally
We didn’t replace any doors, but we did upgrade all our door knobs… and let me tell you, those little details matter. A fresh coat of paint and a solid, well-made knob made our cheap doors look (and sound) so much more expensive. Prioritize what matters to you, and don’t feel guilty for investing in those finishing touches.
7. Even DIY is still expensive
Anyone who says they redid 700 sq ft for under $500 is either a magician or has a hookup I clearly don’t. Even doing the work ourselves, the costs added up fast – paint, materials, tools, fixes we didn’t see coming… DIY doesn’t mean cheap. It means less expensive.
8. Surprise! You’ll find problems
We discovered our house was built in a rush because nothing is square. We wouldn’t have known that if we hadn’t torn out the flooring and done the measuring ourselves. Once you start peeling back the layers, you’ll probably find quirks (or full-on disasters) that you didn’t budget or plan for. That’s part of the process. It’s frustrating – but also helpful knowledge moving forward.
9. Create one clean space
If you’re living in the renovation chaos like we were, do yourself a favor and keep at least one room clear of the mess. Having a single tranquil space to escape to – free from tools, dust, and half-finished projects – made a huge difference in our sanity.
10. Start small
The first room we completed was the powder room. New toilet, new paint, new fixtures, new mirror – it was our little gem of progress. Knocking out one fully finished room gave us momentum and reminded us that we could do this. Start small. Celebrate the wins. Then tackle the beast that is your living/dining/kitchen situation.
DIY is not for the faint of heart. But it is doable. It’s taught me patience, problem-solving, and the fine art of celebrating the tiniest of wins – like installing a toilet that doesn’t leak (✨iconic✨).
If you’re thinking about diving in, I hope this helped. And if you’re already deep in the paint-fume trenches – solidarity, my friend.
The DIY Experience
