Design Mythbusting: Doing it Yourself Always Saves Money

I often find myself being asked about the value of interior design services and why not just do it yourself. While the allure of saving money by doing renovations yourself is strong, the reality is that DIY projects don't always pay off in the long run. In many cases, hiring professional interior designers and contractors can actually prevent costly mistakes and create better value over time.

Research from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) suggests that DIY home renovations in Australia typically recover around 60-70% of the project costs, compared to 80-90% for professionally executed renovations. The difference comes down to quality of workmanship, design expertise, and adherence to building codes and best practices. Even seemingly simple projects like painting can go awry without proper prep work and technique, leading to uneven coverage, peeling, and the need to re-do work.

Tiling is another area where DIYers commonly run into issues like un-level surfaces, crooked grout lines, cracked tiles from improper installation, and water damage from insufficient waterproofing. According to The Tile Contractors' Association of Australia, 75% of tile failures result from improper installation by non-professionals.

More complex renovations like kitchen and bathroom remodels magnify the potential pitfalls of DIY work. Poor design layouts with ergonomic or traffic flow issues can quickly undermine functionality. Electrical and plumbing mistakes can compromise safety or lead to water damage down the road. Improperly installed cabinets, countertops, or fixtures look unprofessional and can impact resale value.

Kitchens

According to Houzz's 2022 Australia Kitchen Trends Study, homeowners who hired professionals for their kitchen renovations recovered an average of 83% of their project costs. Industry estimates suggest professional kitchen renovations in Australia can add 10-20% to a home's resale value, compared to 5-10% for DIY kitchen makeovers.

Bathrooms

Research from the Housing Industry Association indicates professionally renovated bathrooms in Australia can recover around 80-90% of project costs, versus 60-70% for DIY bathroom renovations. Bathroom renovations are estimated to add 5-10% to a home's value when done by professionals, versus 2-5% for DIY bathroom updates.

Other Home Improvements

Additions like extensions, granny flats, and home offices completed by professionals can increase property values by 20-30%, whereas DIY additions may only add 10-15%.

Despite the higher upfront professional cost, the quality results and added home value from expert workmanship more than makes up the difference over DIY in the long run. Of course, some DIY projects can make sense for experienced homeowners comfortable with their skill levels. But for larger renovations impacting crucial living spaces and long-term home value, the expertise and attention to detail of design professionals is often worth the investment. I always advise clients to undertake a renovation in stages and avoid cutting corners rather than stretching themselves too thin by attempting to complete it all in one go. If you are undertaking a home renovation, please reach out to my team at Sunbeam Studio to discuss your needs.