DIY vs Hiring a Tradie: Where's the Line?
There's a satisfaction to doing things yourself, and sometimes the savings are real. But there are jobs where DIY is illegal, dangerous, or ends up costing more when a tradie has to fix it. Here's an honest guide to where the line is in New Zealand.
What You Legally Can't DIY
Some work in New Zealand must be done by a licensed professional by law:
- Electrical: All prescribed electrical work (anything involving fixed wiring) must be done by a registered electrician. You can change a light bulb and plug things in. That's it.
- Gas: All gasfitting work must be done by a registered gasfitter. No exceptions.
- Plumbing (sanitary): Work on sanitary plumbing (water supply, waste, drainage connected to the mains) must be done by a registered plumber or supervised by one.
- Restricted building work: Structural, weathertightness, and fire-rated building work must be done by or supervised by an LBP. However, owner-builders can do restricted building work on their own home if they go through the consent and inspection process.
Good DIY: Where You'll Genuinely Save Money
| Job | DIY Cost | Tradie Cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting a room | $100–$300 (paint + supplies) | $400–$1,200 | $300–$900 |
| Garden landscaping (basic) | $200–$1,000 (plants + materials) | $2,000–$5,000 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fence staining | $50–$150 (stain + brush) | $500–$1,500 | $400–$1,350 |
| Replacing tap washers | $5–$20 | $80–$200 | $60–$180 |
| Filling and sanding plaster holes | $20–$50 | $100–$300 | $80–$250 |
| Laying mulch / garden beds | $50–$200 | $300–$800 | $200–$600 |
| Cleaning gutters | Free (ladder + gloves) | $100–$300 | $100–$300 |
Risky DIY: Where It Often Costs More
| Job | Why DIY Goes Wrong | Cost to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Tiling (bathroom) | Uneven surfaces, wrong adhesive, no waterproofing | $2,000–$5,000 to strip and redo |
| Deck building | Wrong timber treatment, structural inadequacy, no consent | $3,000–$10,000 to rebuild |
| Exterior painting (2-storey) | Improper prep, falls from height, streaky finish | $3,000–$8,000 to redo properly |
| Plaster/GIB work | Visible joins, uneven surfaces, cracking | $1,000–$3,000 to redo |
| Kitchen flatpack install | Not level, wrong measurements, damaged benchtop | $2,000–$5,000 to correct |
The Hidden Costs of DIY
When calculating whether DIY saves money, most people forget:
- Tool hire or purchase: A tile cutter, mitre saw, or scaffolding can cost $100–$500+ to hire for a weekend.
- Your time: If a tradie does a room in 1 day and it takes you 3 weekends, what's your time worth?
- Mistakes and redo: The most expensive paint job is the one you do twice.
- No warranty: If a tradie's work fails, the Consumer Guarantees Act protects you. If your DIY fails, it's your problem.
- Resale value: Buyers and building inspectors can spot DIY work. Poor quality DIY can actually reduce your home's value.
The Smart Hybrid Approach
Many homeowners get the best value by doing some work themselves and hiring tradies for the skilled parts:
- Painting: DIY the easy rooms, hire a painter for high ceilings and exteriors.
- Renovations: Do your own demolition (carefully), then hand over to the professionals for the rebuild.
- Landscaping: Dig, plant, and mulch yourself. Hire for retaining walls, irrigation, and paving.
- Prep work: Clear the workspace, move furniture, and remove old fittings before the tradie arrives. Saving them an hour saves you $60–$100.
The Golden Rule
If a mistake would be dangerous, illegal, or more expensive to fix than the original job, hire a professional. If the worst case is "it doesn't look great and I have to redo it," DIY away.