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 50–80% 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 50–80% 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.