Hit $500 in DIY upgrades and it changed how I see cheap fixes

I spent $500 over 6 months on paint, trim, and new switch plates, but my neighbor spent $2k on a contractor for the same look. The debate is whether sweat equity counts as savings or just hidden labor. Any of you hit a number where you realized DIY was either way worth it or a total trap?

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charlesj464d ago

and honestly once you hit that point where the stuff you did yourself actually looks better than the contractor work, it shifts your whole brain on what "cheap" means. i mean, my buddy redid his bathroom with youtube videos and it cost him a third of what i paid, but he also spent two weekends cursing at a pipe wrench, so it's really about whether your time is worth the frustration or not. maybe it's just me, but i've noticed most people either get hooked on the learning part or they quietly hire someone next time and call it peace of mind.