Why I DIY and my DIY lifecycle!!

[tooqk4u22]

I do a considerable amount of DIY like others here do as well, but it is certainly not common in my neighborhood.  People always ask why I do it, as opposed to paying someone - I once again was asked this earlier this week.  I am sure they assume it is because I can't afford to pay someone, and while I am doing the work they always assume that it won't turn out that great.

So anyway here is why I do it.
1. Challenging - I like to be challenged and try to do something I haven't done.
2. Learn new things - not only is it good to expand your skills, it also allows you to have conversations about a broader range of topics.
3. Setting Examples - demonstrating to my kids that you can do things if you just try and learn, and there is value in hard work.
4. Not having to deal with contractors - earlier in my DIY life this would have been higher on the list as I find that it takes almost as much time and effort to track down and monitor a contractor to do good work - even the good ones - and that is if they even show up.
5.  Ego - hate to admit it but it sure feels good when all those people asked why you DIY see the finished product and amazed by it and envious of my skills. 
Money - Bottom of my list but goes without saying but you can save a lot of money DIY. Sure there is the implied cost of your labor, but the reality is my kids are playing or helping and because of them I wouldn't otherwise be able to work while watching them.

Of course it is not all peaches and cream, I do have my moments that I can express as my lifecyle for a DIY project (this applies to large projects).

1.  Planning Stage - creative juices are flowing, learning is in full swing, very good stage.
2.  Mobilization Stage - energized, excited to start, good stage.
3.  Works Stage 1 - effort being extended, physical activity is good, excited to be started but it is earlier, good stage.
4.  Work Stage 2 - about 1/3rd-2/3rd part of the project, tired, monotonous, wondering how much longer and how I will fit this in with familay and work obligations. Not a great stage.
5.  Work Stage 3 - the last 3rd or so.  Frustrated that it is taking this long and still enough work to be done that it feels like the end is not in sight. Wondering why the hell I did this and why I didn't pay someone. Not a good stage.
6.  Finished - goes without saying this is a great stage.  This is the Lovin' Life and Time for a Beer Stage.  Oddly enough getting from the worst stage (Work 3) to finished usually isn't anywhere near as long as it feels it will be when you are in Work 3.


What about for you DIYer's out there how do you see it.

[Random]

You left out the last step, #7: On-going critique - in this stage you notice every defect of your labors, almost all of which are too minor to draw notice from anyone else and certainly are less the flaws in work by contractors you have paid good money to on other projects.

[Spork]

I can agree 100%.  It seems silly, but I can sit and stare at work I've done myself and just be filled with enjoyment.  It's not even that I am Norm Abram or anything.... I just like seeing that I accomplished mostly what I set out to do.

and an addition to the list: You get one or more new tools.  A project budget almost always comes in under the cost of the pro even when it includes the cost of one or two new tools that are required for the job.   ...and those tools are now available with the next project.

[tooqk4u22]

You left out the last step, #7: On-going critique - in this stage you notice every defect of your labors, almost all of which are too minor to draw notice from anyone else and certainly are less the flaws in work by contractors you have paid good money to on other projects.

You're right, how could I miss this one. 

[hybrid]

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of MMMers aren't merely saving money, they are often go-getters.  So DIY just naturally goes along with that.  I'm not a very big DIYer, my father passed when I was young and so I learned very few handy skills growing up, so I've been playing catch-up ever since.  So I give a big tip of the hat to everyone like OP that has developed these skills over a lifetime, you can't just go out and buy that no matter how much money you make.

Reading this blog and this forum helps me get out of my own little comfort zone and do more things I would not have taken on before.   

[rightstuff]

You left out the last step, #7: On-going critique - in this stage you notice every defect of your labors, almost all of which are too minor to draw notice from anyone else and certainly are less the flaws in work by contractors you have paid good money to on other projects.

You're right, how could I miss this one.

I had to laugh when I read this one as we redid a portion of our ceiling and wall in our basement and I can see my efforts at patching holes but no one else seems to mind!

[Jamesqf]

You missed what is for me a major factor: you don't have to go through the hassle of finding someone to do the work for you, making sure they do what you want done, having your life disrupted while they do it, and cleaning up afterwards. 

[tooqk4u22]

You missed what is for me a major factor: you don't have to go through the hassle of finding someone to do the work for you, making sure they do what you want done, having your life disrupted while they do it, and cleaning up afterwards.

that was my #4.

When I first started DIY this would have been #1 or #2 on my list (money would have been the other) but you only realize how bad it is dealing with contractors when you actually start dealing with them - it is lower on my list now because I am confident in my skills or ability to learn the skills needed to not have to worry about getting a contractor.

[ncornilsen]

There's been a few time's I've simply not had the time to do parts of projects myself, but having done quite a bit of DIY work, it's easier to communicate with contractors in thier language. They also realize they can't bullshit you, meaning you'll probably get what you want. The look on the contractor's face while doing a walk through after a job and citing the section in code they violated (majorly) on a plumbing job really made my day!

[Insanity]

You missed what is for me a major factor: you don't have to go through the hassle of finding someone to do the work for you, making sure they do what you want done, having your life disrupted while they do it, and cleaning up afterwards.

Finding someone good is hard.  But when you do find that someone good, it is more than worth it.

We hired contractors to do our kitchen - they came up with some creative and awesome looking solutions to some problems (we have tile in the kitchen and steps leading up to it - they created a wood transition from the tile to the steps that matches the cabinets - looks amazing).  We found them through friends that did their addition.  We are using them for some other work that I don't have the time but needs to get done.  The money is a bit more than I'd like to spend, but the work they did was astounding.

Want to find good contractors:
1) Talk to friends, neighbors, relatives.
2) Stay away from those that advertise.
3) Use ones that are big enough to do the work, but small enough they have to turn down some jobs

Why is number 3 important?  It means that they won't just go out and bring untrusted personnel on the job.   They work with people they know and have built relationships with. 

It took less than 3 weeks to find the contractor and interview them.  We interviewed others, but these guys did things we wanted - made us buy the large cost items, gave us a VERY detailed estimate, and more importantly came referred by word of mouth.  Yes, sometimes it took a few calls to get a call back, but at least they didn't flat out lie to us nor did they design our space without actually talking to us like the other two.

We are waiting for the counters to be fabricated, but absolutely love our kitchen.