TO DIY OR NOT TO DIY THAT IS THE QUESTION

Which home projects are worth spending time on, and which are better spending money on and getting expert help? Here are all the answers...

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There are plenty of projects that can be done to keep your home looking fresh. The key is to work out which tasks you are capable of as a DIYer, and which require specific skills and safety measures. The good news is we are here to help you navigate this conundrum. We've identified four improvements you should be able to take on yourself, and five areas where it's best to get the experts in. We've also factored in time and money implications, to help you feel prepared.

Painting & decorating

Perking up walls, woodwork and ceilings with paint is one of the simplest ways to update a room. You can also go a step further with wallpaper, and this is great for adding pattern to zoned areas.

You only need basic skills for painting, while hanging wallpaper is trickier. If you stick to the basics, cost- wise for DIY it's simply brushes, rollers, paint trays and the paint - assuming you already have a stepladder and some dust sheets. Wallpaper costs can be pricier. You also need paste, brushes and a special table, which you could borrow. If you need to hire tools, a wallpaper steam stripper costs from £23 per week, while stair scaffold hire is £85 to £100 per week.

TRY THE DIY: Time 2-3 days Saving £500-£600 on labour Skill Beginner+

Refreshing kitchen cabinets

When your cabinets are in need of some TLC, but you don't want to buy a whole new kitchen, you can give unit doors a fresh look instead. As a basic DIYer, use a foam roller for the flat parts and a paintbrush for the edges. If you want a more professional finish, it's best to spray them, and this is more suited to a slightly more confident DIYer.

This project takes careful prep and patience, so read up and watch how-to videos first to ensure you get it right. If you need to hire tools, an airless paint sprayer costs around £185 for 24 hours, or £210 for a weekend, while an orbital sander is £25 for two days.