Due to the current housing shortage, increasing homeowner equity, and the high cost of borrowing, more California homeowners are aiming to remodel rather than move than ever before. As a result, interest in do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are on the rise, with bathtub or shower replacements, interior painting, and built-in storage solutions as the most popular among the DIY set.
Nationally, 74% of homeowners plan to start a DIY project in 2025, with 24% having plans to do the entire remodeling project themselves, while another 23% plan to contribute some of the labor themselves, only choosing to hire professionals for the parts they feel inadequate to tackle. In a 2025 consumer report, 40% stated they did an entire home improvement project themselves, including labor and purchasing materials. This growing trend in homeowner DIY is largely driven by a desire for cost savings, personal accomplishment, and concerns regarding high contractor costs. Among homeowners, 3 in 4 cite the high costs of hiring an expert contractor as a key challenge, but homeowners also feel empowered with all the DIY videos that are available, and some view DIY as the means to save big on home improvements.
Before 2020, a study of 1000 homeowners across the US revealed that nearly 9 in 10 homeowners made mistakes during a DIY home improvement project. And, it was also revealed that 1 in 4 suffered a serious injury.
Among the most common DIY misadventures:
These are neither inconsequential nor simple “misadventures!”
Therefore, when considering a home construction project, it is still best to call someone actively licensed and expertly trained to do the job, and to get it done right!
Is your home in need of repair? Would you like to renovate parts of your house? Maybe you could undertake a bit of DIY to tackle these issues.
But, if you have been dreaming of a gourmet kitchen, an expanded master bedroom with a spa-like bathroom, or you want to build an ADU or expand your living space, you are very likely to lack the confidence and skills needed for these complex construction processes. The wisest – and certainly the most financially prudent thing to do – is to turn to an expert: an actively licensed general contractor.
And of considerable significance, all of the aforementioned home improvements DO require a building permit. The consequences for California homeowners who fail to pull the required building permit include fines, the potential need to demolish the unpermitted work, legal action from the local city or county, as well as significant difficulties selling your home. On top of these consequences, your insurance coverage could also be voided, and your property could be subject to a lien that may prevent future financing or sale.
Nearly 40% of the work that general contractors do for homeowners happens to be work to correct DIY efforts or to repair work incorrectly done by handymen or unlicensed “imposter contractors.” This is why it is important for every homeowner to take the time to check their contractor’s license, construction bond, and insurance status with the Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board.
Whenever you are thinking about undertaking a large-scale project or major renovation involving multiple systems, it’s time to call a pro!
It is important to call a pro when you are considering a structural remodel of your home’s floor plan, or when you want to undertake a complex kitchen remodel that includes expanding the space, and when it involves any changes to your electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems. You will benefit significantly – and spare yourself from the added stress and any unnecessary costs from poor implementation – if you make sure to seek out a licensed general contractor who has all the essential construction and project management expertise that may be required.
Even a common bathroom remodel, whenever it involves a structural redesign, changes to the plumbing, electrical, or mechanical, or a relocation of ducting or a fan, demands a level of expertise uncommon to the average DIYer.
Homeowners who are facing electrical work, structural alterations, and major plumbing or gas line repairs would be very wise to avoid DIY entirely. Unlike the average homeowner or DIYer, a licensed general contractor has the required specialized knowledge for dealing with dangerous, costly, and far more complex construction projects. And if you select a full-service general contractor, such as Ed Neir Construction, you will be provided with structural engineers, architects, and any other required professional to ensure that the job is done correctly.
Additionally, a general contractor can serve as your complete project manager, from start to finish, working with professionals to develop the necessary plans, getting them reviewed, and the permits pulled. And this general contractor can ensure that all the work is fully inspected and approved all along the way, while remaining on budget and within the project timeline.
So, for the times when a project involves your homeowner warranty or home insurance, take advantage of the special expertise offered by an experienced general contractor to ensure peace of mind and to safeguard you from the potential of runaway DIY costs. The work of an actively licensed general contractor is typically bonded, insured and warrantied, protecting your home investment and providing you with peace of mind.
Before undertaking a DIY project in your home, call Ed Neir Construction at 707-999-5878 for a free consultation, or send a text to 408-368-7162.
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