Contractors Agree: These 5 Things Make Your DIY Project Look Bad

Why hire a contractor when you can tackle a project yourself and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars? While we couldn’t agree more, it’s also important to maintain your home’s quality and appearance in the process.

To help you knock your projects out yourself while achieving professional results, we’ve asked a pro contractor about the five signs that are dead giveaways of a DIY job.

Mismatched or Poor Quality Materials

Dustin Wince, Estimating & Preconstruction Director at BOLT Builders, says that one of the most obvious signs of a DIY job is choosing poor-quality materials or ones that don’t match the existing materials in your home.

Instead, contractors and designers will have better knowledge of the materials previously used and how to source matching or complementary materials.

“DIY jobs usually use lower-quality materials than what was previously used or something that looks almost the same but not quite,” Wince says. “So the color, texture, or material itself might look a little off.”

While it may not seem that consequential, getting your materials right can make all the difference in the quality of your end product.

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Uneven Installation

Older homes are rarely perfectly square, level, or straight, especially if they’ve been remodeled or renovated. Wince says that professional contractors are used to working in these conditions and have the expertise and know-how to bridge the awkward, uneven gaps that often appear.

“Contractors bring years of experience and know the best way to install to seamlessly match the project to the original,” Wince explains.

Without that expertise, he says that poor DIY work often results in uneven lines, gaps, crooked tiles, or trim that isn’t cut correctly.

There aren’t many ways to avoid uneven installations, as this skill generally comes with experience. The best way to get better is to keep trying and learn as you go.

Inconsistent Quality

Wince says that another common consequence of inexperience is inconsistencies.

“With DIY, some areas will look good and some won’t, because renovations can be tricky and a DIYer doesn’t always know the best technique to repair or install something,” he says.

The best way to avoid inconsistent quality is to know your limits before taking on DIY projects. For example, before you take on a full kitchen renovation, take time to consider the various skills you may need, such as tiling, caulking, plumbing, and more.

Awkward Transitions

One of the worst things you can do for your home’s interior is to ignore the overarching design during a DIY project, yet contractors say they see this all the time. Wince says this is often a result of DIYers not considering continuity or simply not knowing how to achieve consistent results.

“When one room looks like it was an afterthought or doesn’t sit quite right with the rest of the home, it was clearly a DIY,” says Wince. “Professionals are going to do everything they can to make your home look seamless and part of the original home.”

Be sure to maintain a big-picture perspective when planning your DIY projects. While many homeowners prefer to tackle home improvement projects as budget, time, and inspiration allow, be sure to maintain an overarching vision and design theme as you go.

Poor Prep Work Before Paint

Painting is one of the best DIY projects you can take on, as nearly anyone can do it, tools and supplies are relatively inexpensive, and you can save a lot by doing it yourself. However, ignoring proper prep work before painting is a telltale sign that you did it yourself.

Wince, along with many others, calls this “The Landlord Special.”

“You might see painting over an electrical cover or a hood range or caulk that is too lumpy or overdone, because the homeowner hasn’t done that before,” he says.

Taking time to mask certain areas, remove switch covers, doorknobs, and more, will yield more professional painting results.

Tips for Getting More Professionals DIY Results

To ensure your DIY projects look as professional as possible, keep these tips for improving DIY project results in mind:

• Don’t take on more than you can handle. It’s essential to keep your skill level in mind if you’re after professional results.
• Invest in the right tools. Knowledge is essential, but it only gets you so far. Without the right tools, your DIY projects may fall flat.
• Plan ahead. To achieve consistent results, start with a plan and stick to it.
• Do your research. Before starting a project, take time to understand what it entails, and do your research. Learning skills ahead of time will give you confidence in the midst of your project.