1. What do you earn per hour?
2. What's the job?
How We Calculate the "True Cost" of DIY
Most people only consider materials when calculating DIY costs. But your time has value. If you earn £20/hour and a job takes you 4 hours to DIY — that's £80 of your time, even if the materials are free. A professional who charges £100 but finishes in 1 hour is actually cheaper when you factor in your time.
We also factor in tool costs (do you need to buy tools you don't own?), the risk of mistakes (damaging the item, needing to rebuy parts, or having to hire a professional anyway to fix your attempt), and the opportunity cost of your weekend.
FAQs
Is this calculator biased toward hiring?
No — for low-wage earners and simple jobs, the calculator genuinely recommends DIY. It's based on maths, not marketing. If DIY saves you money, we'll tell you. We'd rather you trust the tool and come back when you do need a professional.
What about the satisfaction of doing it myself?
That's real and we respect it. This calculator only measures the financial question. If you enjoy DIY and it's your hobby, the time cost doesn't apply in the same way. But if you're dreading it and only doing it to save money — check whether you're actually saving.
Do I really need specialist tools?
For most furniture assembly, a Phillips screwdriver and the included hex key are enough. But for plumbing, electrical, tiling, and many building jobs, you'll need specialist tools that cost £20-£200+. If you'll only use them once, hiring a professional who already owns them often makes more sense.
What if I make a mistake?
This is the hidden cost of DIY that most people don't budget for. Stripped cam locks, cracked tiles, incorrect plumbing connections, or walls that need replastering after a failed attempt — fixing DIY mistakes often costs more than hiring a professional would have in the first place.