Cost savings of DIY

[funflyer]

This thread should prove interesting as I know there are many of you on here who are DIYers and have done/saved much more than I probably have.

The wife and I have been keeping track of our home DIY project/repair savings (labor cost) since we bought our current home in 2013. We've done just about everything ourselves including kitchen and bath remodels, flooring, plumbing, windows, doors, workshop and shed builds. While updating my cost savings spreadsheet, after repairing the garage door opener and replacing torsion springs this week, I was quite surprised at the $$$ we've saved in 12 years. Labor cost saved was just over $88,000. Can only imagine how much it would be if I included all the automotive DIY over the years.

let's hear about your DIY $$$ saved.

 

[cptbarkey]

That feeling is incalculable. The past 3 years my family acquired a few tractors. With them I have done quite a bit of flood management, land clearing, landscaping and construction projects that probably would have exceeded $100k in labor. It happens to be a boatload of fun too.

 

[Pew]

Outside of basic vehicle maintenance and small work like sound insulation/sound systems, probably close to $0. I don't DIY much outside of basic vehicle maintenance as nothing of decent value has been broken and nothing outside of the washer/dryer/very minor stuff has broke. If I owned a house that needs to be fixed or remodeled outside of electrical or gas, that would be a different story.

 

[KrisZ]

While I don't keep track of the costs, I know I'm saving a ton from the few quotes I have gotten for some painting or HVAC repair.
I was quoted around $5k for painting kitchen cabinets, I did them for around $500.
Same with a blown capacitor for the AC system. Cost me $30 for a quality cap, whereas an hvac pro would charge at least $300 for this with the cheapest cap he's got.

I would say it's safe to assume around 10x savings for most of the projects around the house.

 

[gfh77665]

I am an outlier, I know. I generally don't do DIY. I have utmost respect for those who do, my Dad could literally build a house from the ground up. He had insane mechanical and building skills. For me though, its efficient and practical for me to fix things by making a phone call and hiring contractors while I pursue whatever else. Exceptions are oil changes and tree trimming. Works for me.

 

[Kira]

A pal with a long gravel driveway got a ridiculously high quote for leveling....call it $7,000 years ago.
He bought a tractor with some implements...for $7,000.

 

[thastinger]

Water heater installs and things like that are obvious...but building our retirement home has opened my eyes to what labor costs. Of course they never break the estimates down to how much materials are vs how much labor is but labor must be high now.

I worked the week of Christmas and saved 7K by installing/painting 2 interior doors, trimming out/painting 3 windows, trimming out a set of double doors and trimming out 1 steel entry door. Also installing 1/2" wire mesh behind 7 louvered arches to keep wildlife out. I probably had 1200 total in materials for what was quoted as an 8500 job and I used all SS fasteners...which I'm sure the estimate didn't include but it is in a garage area 100ft from saltwater.

 

[funflyer]

While I don't keep track of the costs, I know I'm saving a ton from the few quotes I have gotten for some painting or HVAC repair.
I was quoted around $5k for painting kitchen cabinets, I did them for around $500.
Same with a blown capacitor for the AC system. Cost me $30 for a quality cap, whereas an hvac pro would charge at least $300 for this with the cheapest cap he's got.

I would say it's safe to assume around 10x savings for most of the projects around the house.

I've also done a few minor A/C repairs but draw the line when it comes to complete installs. We had a new 18.5 SEER air conditioner w/heat pump and furnace installed last year which cost us a little over 12k. Estimates ranged from $8,500 up to 25K.

 

[MyWifesBoyfriend]

Nevermind the savings, it is hard enough to find a contractor that cares about their work nowadays. Seems like no matter how much you pay someone, no one will care as much as the homeowner.

 

[4wd]

I don’t count the savings but they are pretty obvious - plus get some exercise above and below the shoulders …
Well, the other thing is setting an example for the family - one of my son’s favorite pastimes is working on stuff together … and knowing we saved money while getting it right …
(He lives nearby in the same town) …

 

[Ausfahrt]

If it's a job that I feel confident with then I will do it myself. As I am getting older there are more things that I will contract out.

Having it done right is more important to me than saving a few bucks.

 

[JeffKeryk]

When I DIY, or even watch or try to help, it's price * 3.
Fix 1 break 5.

 

[walterjay]

Except for roofing I do most all maintenance and upkeep. I don't know but surely many tens of thousands saved.

 

[demarpaint]

I'm certain with all the work I did on the houses I owned over the years I saved enough to buy a house.

 

[Hall]

Labor cost saved was just over $88,000.

How did you come up with that number ?

 

[97prizm]

A pal with a long gravel driveway got a ridiculously high quote for leveling....call it $7,000 years ago.
He bought a tractor with some implements...for $7,000.

Sometimes I wonder if places quote high just because they aren't interested.

 

[Dave P.]

I don't keep track of what I've saved over the years because then I might wonder where all the savings are?!
Over the years I've built a deck, built two sheds, done some basic electrical and basic plumbing, replaced dishwashers and hot water heaters as well as oil changes and some basic auto maintenance and repairs. We just had our bathroom remodeled which I left to the pros.
Took them over three weeks at a total over $30,000.00 including fixtures so almost $20,000 was the labor. I know I would never have the talent to do what they did and since I still work, I would never have the time to undertake that kind of project.

 

[wavinwayne]

If it's a job that I feel confident with then I will do it myself. As I am getting older there are more things that I will contract out.

Having it done right is more important to me than saving a few bucks.

Almost word for word what I was going to post.

 

[Dave P.]

Sometimes I wonder if places quote high just because they aren't interested.

A friend of mine is the Father-in-law of a well known North Jersey band member. For some reason, they hate playing weddings so anytime they do get a request to do one, their quoted fee is exceptionally high. If the couple is willing to pay that amount, then they do it and if the couple isn't willing to pay, the band does a gig that they like to do.
So, I do believe you are right in thinking that there are jobs some contractors probably don't want so they bid high. I also think they bid high so they leave a little negotiation room and this way the homeowner is happy and the contractor is happy too.

 

[kenny91]

Saving $88k is an incredible achievement. Most people don't track it that closely, but seeing the actual number really puts the value of those hours into perspective. Doing your own garage door repairs, especially torsion springs, is no joke and definitely saved a few hundred right there.