DIY Statistics (2026): Savings, Failure Rates & Safety Data

Who DIYs and Why

• A large majority of homeowners, commonly measured around 3 in 4 or more, complete at least one DIY project per year., Source: Home improvement retail surveys (Home Depot, Lowe's) (2024)
• Painting is the most common DIY project in America, followed by landscaping and minor plumbing fixes., Source: Houzz / industry surveys (2024)
• Since labor typically represents 50 to 80% of a professional quote, competent DIY can cut a project's cost by half or more., Source: Industry cost breakdowns (NAHB, PCA) (2024)
• The home improvement retail market (led by Home Depot and Lowe's) exceeds $400 billion in annual U.S. sales., Source: Company filings / U.S. Census retail data (2024)

When DIY Goes Wrong

• Roughly one in three DIYers report a project they had to redo, abandon, or pay a professional to fix., Source: Consumer surveys (multiple, incl. improvement retailers) (2024)
• Ladder-related injuries send on the order of 500,000 Americans to medical treatment each year, with several hundred deaths., Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / CDC (2023)
• Electrical, gas, structural, and roofing work are the categories pros and insurers most consistently say should never be DIY, both for safety and because unpermitted work can void insurance coverage., Source: Insurance industry & code-official guidance (2025)
• In the DMV, homeowner-performed electrical and plumbing work still requires permits in most jurisdictions, and some (like DC for most licensed trades) restrict it outright., Source: DC/MD/VA jurisdiction permit rules (2026)

Common Questions

How much money does DIY actually save?

Labor is 50 to 80% of most professional quotes, so a well-executed DIY job saves roughly that. The catch: a failed DIY job costs the original materials plus the pro's rate to undo and redo it, often more than hiring out from the start.

Which projects should never be DIY?

Electrical panel work, gas lines, structural changes, and roofing top every professional list, the injury and liability stakes are too high, and unpermitted work in these categories can void your homeowners insurance and complicate resale.