One in Three Regret DIYing a Home Improvement Project

Three quarters of homeowners completed a do-it-yourself ("DIY") project in the past three years. However, nearly 40 percent of them wish they hadn't, according to a new survey from home design site, Zillow Digs®.[i]

Attempting to add or expand a room to a home, such as a bathroom or bedroom, was the biggest DIY regret among homeowners surveyed, with more than half of respondents (53 percent) unhappy with some aspect of the project. Homeowners had fewest regrets around minor projects like replacing light fixtures or cabinet hardware. Less than 20 percent of homeowners regretted taking on those projects.  

While many people choose to tackle home improvement projects themselves to save money, nearly a quarter of those surveyed said their DIY project went over budget. This was especially true for larger-scale renovations, like building a new deck or refinishing a basement. Instead, DIYers were more likely to stay within budget on smaller projects such as painting or replacing plumbing fixtures.

"With seemingly endless DIY tips and how-to videos available today, home improvement projects appear easier and more accessible than ever before," says Kerrie Kelly, Zillow Digs home design expert. "While some DIY projects can save you money, involving a professional for larger-scale projects, especially those that require specialized skills, can help eliminate headaches and costly mistakes."

Zillow Digs surveyed homeowners from around the country to find which popular DIY home improvement projects people regretted the most and least. The survey also identified which projects homeowners were most likely to go over budget, with and without professional help.  

Top 10 most regretted home improvement projects:

Home Improvement Project	% of Homeowners with DIY Regrets	% of Homeowners Who Went Over Budget When DIYing	% of Homeowners Who Went Over Budget With a Professional
Add a room or expand/alter an existing one	53%	42%	32%
Reface or refinish cabinetry (kitchen or bath)	49%	20%	18%
Refinish basement or attic	48%	23%	23%
Replace or reinstall new carpeting (any room)	43%	23%	13%
Refinish or reinstall new hardwood floors (any room)	42%	22%	14%
Reinstall new cabinets (kitchen or bath)	41%	15%	22%
Retile a floor or shower	37%	13%	19%
Add or replace backsplash (kitchen  or bath)	37%	16%	7%
Build or install a deck	35%	22%	23%
Reinstall new countertops (kitchen or bath)	33%	12%	18%

Top 5 least regretted home improvement projects:

Home Improvement Project	% of Homeowners with DIY Regrets	% of Homeowners Who Went Over Budget When DIYing	% of Homeowners Who Went Over Budget With a Professional
Replace lighting fixtures (any room)	15%	7%	8%
Replace cabinet hardware  (kitchen or bath)	18%	7%	13%
Paint one or more rooms	18%	5%	13%
Install new kitchen appliances	19%	13%	14%
Replace plumbing fixture(s) (bath, sink or toilet)	23%	8%	13%