If you're like me, taking on a new DIY project is exciting. It's satisfying to put your personal stamp on a plan and, at the same time, save money. But -- surprise! -- not every task is as simple as it looks once you dig in.
Some projects demand specialized tools, technical knowledge, or physical effort that turn a fun job into something overwhelming or even dangerous.
However, there are ways to approach DIYing that save you money, deliver the results you want, and avoid common pitfalls.
What to consider
Typical homeowners begin staging their home once they're serious about selling it. If this is you, then you could be searching for your next home at the same time that you're prepping your present one. You're probably talking with a Realtor or two, assessing what needs fixing, juggling the timing and other logistics of a move, and trying to decide what to discard, sell, donate, or pack.
That's a lot on your plate.
Maybe it's time to hand off some of your tasks to others. These would be the jobs that require expertise you don't have, the ones that clearly increase the value of your home, and the ones that are dangerous or require a license or equipment you don't have.
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| You want your home to be picture-perfect when it's listed. Staging it yourself will help you achieve that goal. |
Find a Realtor
I never recommend people go the For Sale By Owner route. I know that people complain about the commission real estate agents get, but if you consider the benefits a trained and licensed Realtor brings to the process, you'll see how cost-effective it can be.
The agent can reach a far wider, ready-to-buy audience than you can, and will screen people so you don't waste your time with "Lookie-Loos." She'll line you up with an attorney to make sure all the 't's are crossed and 'i's are dotted. She'll handle all the timelines, disclosures, legal landmines, and time-consuming communications that happen between a showing and a closing.
Likewise, a home inspector brings the same level of knowledge to your selling process. I've blogged about the value of having your home inspected professionally before you list it. No home is perfect. An inspector will identify issues before buyers do so you can fix them on your own terms. These issues are often the kinds of things that make a buyer walk away or ask for a serious discount.
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| I like photos like this, ones that show buyers more about the floor plan of a home. |
Schedule a photographer
Photos drive showings! Getting a photographer onboard is usually something your listing agent will take care of. Be particular, and ask for samples of his work. Today's buyers expect multiple exterior photos and pictures of each room, often from different angles. Higher-end homes require video tours and drone shots.
This is not a DIY project for you or your agent, because, no matter how experienced you are with your camera, without the pro-grade equipment and know-how a real estate photographer has, you're likely to end up with poorly composed, unevenly lit photos that don't flatter your property.
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| It's easy to find poor real estate photos like this one, where the walls are angled wrong because the photographer was inexperienced. |
Play by the rules
You can learn how to change an ugly light fixture, rewire a lamp secondhand, add a fancy doorbell camera, or update outdated electrical outlets by watching a YouTube video or following the manufacturer's instructions. But complicated electrical tasks should be left to licensed electricians. In some states, it is illegal to do your own electrical work.
Besides electrical work, some plumbing repairs demand the expertise and license of a plumber. Did you know that natural gas connections like gas logs and gas water heaters require professional checking before turning on the gas? A plumber will make sure there are no water or gas leaks.
And a HVAC pro will make sure the ductwork is intact and that your heating and cooling systems are working at their peak efficiency. When you pay a professional to help get your home to market, you can then document that these things have been taken care of and are safe and updated. These docs become part of your sales package.
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| Air conditioning units, heat pumps, ducting, and other HVAC equipment is an important consideration for buyers. |
Minimize mistakes
You'll be able to choose the perfect paint color for your walls, clean your windows, sew new pillow covers, and patch nail holes in your walls, but other projects could call for someone who does this job every day. A company or professional tradesperson can help you avoid mistakes like choosing the wrong color roof, or doing a sloppy job recaulking around your bathub.
One rule of thumb can be "If it's YouTube-Simple and you're handy, then do it yourself. Otherwise, turn to the pros."
I've blogged about mistakes I've learned from by doing DIY projects.
Avoid danger
I've also blogged about the hidden dangers of DIY projects for home stagers and others.
If you're not used to lifting or exerting yourself in other ways, you could injure yourself when tackling some home-prepping projects. For example, according to This Old House, three of the main benefits of working with a professional junk removal company include saving you time, minimizing stress, and preventing you from straining your back moving heavy things.
Equip yourself, maybe
Finally, ask yourself if you have the tools to DIY a staging job the right way. Painting window trim, and cleaning gutters calls for a ladder. If you want to clean your vinyl siding well, you will need a pressure washer. To clean carpeting, you'll want a steam cleaner. There are times when hiring an HVAC company, a range hood cleaning service, window washers, or a landscaper makes far more sense than renting equipment and doing the work yourself.
Get the look, get the book
Of course, you want to save time and money, and to enjoy the satisfaction of a job done well. But knowing when to step back and hire a professional can protect your time, budget, and safety.
When it comes to the finer details of homestaging, I always encourage sellers to do it themselves, whether decluttering, organizing, rearranging furniture, or sprucing up the front entrance. There are still plenty of safe and satisfying DIY homestaging projects that return good profits at selling time. Some, such as creating a wreath or staging a manel, can provide some relaxation at a time that can be stressful.
Wherever you are in the selling process, be sure to download my eBook, DIY HomeStaging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For top Dollar. It will help you choose and succeed when you take on the DIY projects that make a home more valuable.