Let it be known, I'm an avid do it yourselfer. I choose this route for other reasons than most, for example: quality, knowledge, and the satisfaction I get from completing a task. Most are attracted to this course to "save a buck"!!! And, who could blame them, with rising costs of everything around us we could all use an extra dime from time to time! I have learned the hard way though, that some things are not worth the headache or the time, many cost me more to complete as I have to make my own mistakes along the way, and some projects don't turn out with the planned result.
First, lets examine each of these elements: Quality, knowledge, satisfaction, and cost.
Quality - How often have we heard the old adage, "They don't build 'em how they used to". This message has been around for decades, and I believe even centuries. I even have a book from my grandfather's library titled, "Build It Better Yourself". No one cares about the quality of a project or task more than the one who will enjoy it in the end. Most of us have all noticed an apparent lack of integrity in our world today, and many providing services simply don't seem to care like they should. So there is a good argument for this point, but there is also a downside. Quality often depends on knowledge and experience, and those traits can only come by performing a task multiple times. I recall a time several years ago, I had a truck and I wanted it painted correctly, so I started my research. I got the primer the paint and the equipment I needed and started prepping the truck. I did exactly how it was directed and was excited for the outcome. I was so proud when it was finished and couldn't wait to show off what I've accomplished. Then I pulled the truck out of the garage and into the sunlight. The paint was crinkled, some spots showed sagging, other areas were already chipping where I removed the tape. In the end I was not proud of the quality I produced and wound up bringing the vehicle to someone who had the experience I lacked. I have found in some of my DIY projects that, although quality was my goal, things just didn't turn out as I planned. I have learned (after many results not turning out right), that I had to be vigilant on choosing what projects were for me and what tasks were best left to the professionals.
Knowledge - I LOVE learning, everyone that knows me knows that there is nothing I enjoy more than research, reading, and bringing an idea to life. This is my biggest reason for choosing to do a lot of projects on my own. I have said it over and over that, "knowledge is something no one can take away from you", and that you can apply it over and over again, so it's value is ongoing. Knowing how to do something is excellent, but what about the tasks that I have no chance of having to repeat? Are they worth the time, effort, added cost, and chance of a lower quality. I already mentioned that I am an avid DIY'er, and when I say avid I mean it; so when our house needed a new roof, I was already making plans. I enjoyed researching roofing, checking out the types of shingles, making the measurements, and discovering the aspects of a good roof. BUT, then it dawned on me, a roof lasts 20 to 30 years!! All this knowledge and effort, is it really worth sacrificing the time and money to have the knowledge to do this. By the time it needs to be done again, I will probably not be able or willing to do it. So, is the knowledge I would gain worth it, I decided not and hired a contractor.
Satisfaction - This is something that for me links quality and knowledge. Nothing beats that feeling I get when I've completed a job, I look at it, and take pride in what I've accomplished. I've built things that I rarely use, just for this feeling, and nothing keeps me motivated more than this aspect. The downside is when I delve into a project, and the quality is not to my expectation, and those projects where the knowledge I've gained is simply: never to try that again. I've also noticed that even when I hire someone else to complete a task, I do get a sense of satisfaction that the job is complete and I don't have to put the time or effort into it.
Cost - This is the determining factor for most individuals and the reason many take on projects on their own. I can tell you from experience, it has often cost me more to complete tasks on my own than I would had I hired someone. Not always, but far more times than I can count. One example is the time our house needed carpet. As with the roof, I was excited as all get! I couldn't wait to obtain and use the tools, pick out the carpet, and get this job rolling! This project I did complete on my own, but after buying the tools, miscalculating my cuts, and the cost of extra supplies (because I had to learn how to use them); I found I hadn't saved a nickel. If fact, it cost me over 50% more than it would had I hired the professional and I wasted several days of my time that could have been spent doing things more productive. The knowledge I gained from this experience was groundbreaking for me. Now when I look at a project I calculate the cost and include the learning curve, then decide whether it is something worth taking on.
I have learned through my time as a DIY'er that it is important for me to look at all of these aspects and evaluate whether a task is best for me or someone else to take on. Some projects I take on even though they cost more for me to do, because of the fact as I stated earlier, that I value quality, knowledge, and satisfaction, more than anything. Others are simply not worth the time or effort because I can't produce the quality that would give me the satisfaction that I long for. I have found that the knowledge I would gain from some projects is simply not worth the cost.
The answer to the question of whether a job is worth it for the DIYer is this, what will bring you the most value: Quality, Knowledge, Satisfaction, or Cost. Every task will have its own answer, and the answer may vary from chore to chore. It is very rare to get all of these qualities out of a job, usually 3 of the 4 is the best score that can be achieved.
Now a pest control perspective (as this is a pest control blog!!). The market is full of DIY products and the internet is always there to send us information (good and bad), so why not do it myself?
Pest control has gone through many advances through the years and is far different than it was even a decade ago. New methods, procedures, and products are available now that weren't just a few years ago. Knowledge of pests is a key element to connecting these methods, procedures, and products, which has been found to be the greatest breakthrough in the pest control industry. Safety is stressed more than ever before and training to use chemicals is an ongoing task. Keeping up in licensing, state and federal regulations, continues everyday through classes and exams. The quality of a job is dependant upon this knowledge in order to give the satisfaction of the job done correctly. Lastly, the cost of gaining this knowledge usually is far more than a professional can offer.
