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Should you DIY it or hire a pro?
Score a home project against the factors that actually decide the answer - safety risk, skill, tools, time, and permits - and get a clear, reasoned recommendation.
6Risk factorsScoredReasoned resultSafetyFirst filter$0No signup
Score your project honestly
Check every risk factor that applies
Recommendation
Handyman or pro recommended
Project difficulty & risk score: 38/100
Why
•Likely requires a permit or inspection: Permitted work usually expects a licensed trade and passes inspection.
Your next move
Get in-person assessments from licensed contractors and compare written, itemized bids.Planning guidance, not a substitute for professional judgment. When in doubt, have a licensed contractor assess the work.
What decides DIY versus pro?
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Honest skill assessment
A project a step or two beyond your real experience is where budgets and timelines blow up. Rate yourself honestly.03
Tools and time
Buying tools and clearing weekends both have real cost. Factor them in before assuming DIY is cheaper.04
Permits and inspections
Permitted work usually expects a licensed trade. DIY permitted work that fails inspection gets expensive fast.Methodology
How this tool scores the decision
The tool weights safety-critical risk factors most heavily, then adds points for gaps in skill, tools, and available time. Gas, electrical, and structural work trigger a firm recommendation to hire a licensed professional regardless of the rest of the score - those carry fire, shock, carbon-monoxide, and collapse risk. The recommendation is a planning guide, not a substitute for professional judgment. When in doubt, get a licensed contractor to assess the work in person.