4 household jobs you can DIY and 5 you should always outsource

I’m not going to lie, I’m one of those rare creatures who genuinely enjoys cleaning. There’s something so satisfying about creating order out of chaos.

What I love a lot less is when the family and dogs come inside post-clean and have the audacity to try and live in it.

On the flipside, I am incredibly unhandy, and even the most basic of repairs generally ends in tears and far bigger bills than I would have received had I started with a phone call to an expert.

With over 20 years of independent living under my belt, here’s the jobs I’ve learned to splash out on, and the jobs I never would:

1. Electrical repairs

This one may seem obvious, but considering I asked my hubby to do them in the early days of home ownership, I think it rates a mention for others who don’t know why it’s not a good idea to DIY.

“Attempting these kinds of repairs yourself can lead to damage, injuries and death that can, and unfortunately do, happen when something doesn’t go right,” says Ryan D Jaye from hipages and Magic Plumbing.

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2. Clear blocked drains or toilets

Jaye says he recently showed up at a job where the homeowner had already attempted to fix a blocked drain from under a basin, and as a result had put his neck in an obscure position and landed an injury that required rehabilitation and two weeks off work.

Potential damage may also occur to your drains or property when you attempt to DIY, for example cracking a pipe could mean excavation and replacement costs. Additionally, blocked drains and loos can have many causes, and failing to deal with the problem thoroughly and swiftly can wind up costing you bigger repair costs or more frequent blockages.

Opting for a professional painter may just add value to your house. Photo: Stocksy

3. Pest removal

If you hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet that don’t belong to anyone in the house, it pays to get in the professionals. A professional will know the most effective and safe ways to remove pests and can ensure the safety of children and pets. They’ll also be able to advise you on keeping them at bay in the future.

4. Painting

I enjoy painting, but when an overstuffed gutter caused water to wash under the roof and cause bubbling in our ceiling paint, we hired an expert to repair it. He did it so quickly and expertly that we then hired him to paint the rest of our house – a project we’d already lost three weekends to, with no end in sight. It was done within days, to a much higher standard than we could manage, with quality products and no waste.

5. Tree lopping and gutter cleaning

Our yard houses several “widow maker” trees that grow close enough to power lines to require a regular, and thorough pruning. Because power lines and heights are involved, hiring a professional means getting it done safely – for us and anyone walking by. Those trees also throw a lot of leaves into our gutters, so for those that hate heights, an expert will clear them quickly and safely, and can recommend products to help keep them clear.

Why not break down the cleaning duties throughout the whole family? Photo: iStock

The five jobs I would never outsource:

1. Gardening – a great opportunity to zen out and grab some Vitamin D (though always slip, slop, slap).

2. General cleaning – being one of those weird creatures that finds cleaning soothing, I find by breaking the cleaning down into chores for the whole family, by Friday I only need to change the sheets and do the floors. It also teaches my children how to run their own home when they get older.

3. Food shopping – thanks to online shopping (and the “favourites list”) I find online shopping allows me to shop from a farmers’ market miles away and have it delivered – for a lot less and at a better quality than my local supermarket.

4. Washing the windows and the car – thanks to the judicious purchase of a high-pressure washer several years ago, our family argues over who scores these two jobs. A power washer not only does a better job in less time than a bucket and sponges, it’s also super fun.