DIY home repairs vs. hiring unreliable contractors: which is the lesser of two evils?

[Keenan Fitzpatrick]

There is tremendous value in DIY upgrades. The majority of the expense on projects is labor, not materials. And good contractors are battling a shortage of labor and skilled labor. But you need to be honest with yourself about your abilities. The good thing about some rentals is that they are perfect to learn on and if it isn't perfect then it's still good enough but be honest if your property is a good candidate for that. Something in a high value area is not a property to learn on. Finally, ask yourself what your time is worth and if this is something you'll enjoy and benefit from acquiring tools and building out a new skill set and how this experience will benefit you in the future when you hire contractors. An unreliable contractor can cost you a huge amount of money in delays and expenses. I would never consider that an option.