Sometimes it makes sense to roll up your sleeves and get things done yourself. Other times, such as when you need to find a top immigration lawyer, outsourcing isn’t just a luxury—it’s a lifesaver. Striking the right balance between DIY and hiring a pro can save you time, money, and maybe even your sanity.

7 Tasks Worth Doing Yourself

1. Basic Home Repairs

A leaky faucet or squeaky door hinge doesn’t need a professional. With a quick online tutorial and a wrench, you can handle minor fixes and avoid paying a contractor’s call-out fee. Plus, the satisfaction of fixing something with your own hands beats waiting for a technician who’s “definitely coming this afternoon.”

2. Painting Walls

Painting is a job anyone can tackle with a bit of patience and a steady hand. Whether it’s an accent wall or the whole living room, DIY painting is manageable and far more budget-friendly than hiring painters. Just don’t skimp on painter’s tape unless you enjoy cleaning up uneven edges.

3. Cleaning Your Car

Taking your car to a professional detailer is nice, but it’s also pricey. A couple of hours with a bucket, sponge, and vacuum can give you similar results. Bonus: you won’t find yourself silently judging someone else for missing that crumb-filled corner of the backseat.

4. Cooking at Home

Sure, takeout is tempting, but cooking your own meals is healthier, cheaper, and surprisingly rewarding. You don’t need to be a Michelin-star chef—just master a few staples. Start small with pasta or stir-fry, and you’ll quickly start feeling curious about other meals and cooking styles. Soon, you’ll be saving stacks of money while also avoiding questionable delivery fees for lukewarm food.

5. Gardening

Planting flowers, trimming hedges, and pulling weeds are straightforward tasks that double as moving meditation and light exercise. So you get three benefits rolled into one. There’s something therapeutic about seeing your hard work bloom—literally. Just wear gloves, unless you enjoy intimate encounters with thorns and dirt under your nails.

6. Budgeting and Basic Finances

While tax filing or investment strategies might require professional help, creating a budget is well within your grasp. A spreadsheet or one of the many budgeting apps available can help you track spending and prioritise savings. Trust us, understanding where your money goes is less painful than pretending you don’t know.

7. Decluttering

No one knows your stuff better than you do, and paying someone to tell you to throw out those jeans from 2005 is just awkward. Take the time to declutter yourself—it’s cheaper, and there’s no judgmental stranger commenting on your drawer full of takeaway menus.

If you struggle with the emotional side of letting go of old belongings, there’s a DIY answer for that too. Box up anything you don’t need but feel weirdly attached to and put it out of sight in your garage, garden shed, or spare room. 

If you don’t have the luxury of these extra spaces, you can rent a nearby self-storage unit for a surprisingly low monthly cost. Modern storage facilities offer a wide range of sizes, ensuring you only pay for what you need. And they have no lock-in contracts, meaning you can empty your unit as soon as you know for sure whether you want to keep or dump those items. 

Hint: If you forget you even had things stored away in boxes, that’s your sign to let them go. If you find yourself going back to the boxes to dig things out, those items may still have a meaningful place in your life. 

3 Tasks That Aren’t Worth Doing Yourself

1. Major Plumbing or Electrical Work

When it comes to jobs involving water pipes or wiring, step aside. One wrong move could result in flooding, fires, and other disasters. Worse still, your insurance company may use your attempt at a DIY fix to wriggle out of having to cover the costs. 

Save yourself the risk and leave these tasks to licensed professionals who know which way to twist a wrench—or not twist at all.

2. Tax Filing for Complex Finances

If your taxes are more complicated than plugging in a few numbers on a tax app, it’s time to call a pro. Things like rental income, investments, or business expenses can quickly become a headache. 

Professional tax preparers may cost more upfront, but they can save you so much money (and stress) in the long run that they tend to be well worth the investment. Also, if you prep your taxes with an accountant, you’re less likely to be audited. And if you are audited, you’ll automatically have their help and guidance. 

Hint: Look for an accountant who offers free year-round tax advice to clients. Major accounting firms like ITP offer this complementary service, and it can be a massive perk if you take advantage of it. 

3. Roof Repairs

Climbing onto your roof with a hammer sounds adventurous until you’re halfway up and realise you’re not great with heights—or that the ladder is wobblier than expected. Roof repairs require skill and safety equipment, so unless you moonlight as a roofer, hire someone who won’t fall off the edge (literally).

Why the Balance Matters

Knowing when to DIY and when to outsource is as much about saving money as it is about preserving your time and energy. Some tasks are manageable and even satisfying to tackle yourself, while others are best left to the professionals. Choose wisely, and you’ll find yourself with more time, less stress, and a few extra dollars in your pocket.