For many property owners, the DIY bug hits home—hard.

Recent data from Business Wire suggests that by 2027, DIYers will have helped contribute to a home improvement industry worth more than $800 billion. That’s a lot of appliances, tools, paint, and wiring. And the pandemic did little more than fuel the desire among homeowners to do handyman jobs themselves.

In and after lockdown periods, consumers ordered supplies galore in order to spruce up their private castles. According to a survey from Freedonia, nearly four out of 10 respondents said they spent part of Covid remodeling. If you’ve been to the hardware section of any big box store, you can attest to this DIY craze.

Here’s the problem, though: Not all DIY results in an Instagram-worthy result. We’ve all known keen DIYers who’ve made major mistakes. Even small errors can cost big money to fix. Alternatively, those problems might never get fixed at all and just end up lowering a house’s real or perceived market value.

How can you avoid pricey missteps as a DIYer? When a project’s scope goes beyond the “easy to do in a day” line, call a pro. Hiring a professional isn’t a sign that you’re giving up or giving in. It’s an indication that you know the following advantages to bringing on an expert.

1. Professionals carry insurance.

You and your neighbor climb onto your roof. After all, you both know a bit about repairing the pointing on a chimney. Unfortunately, your neighbor loses his footing—and you end up in the ER. Beyond feeling bad about your neighbor’s injury, you’re now in a strange position. Your homeowner’s insurance might or might not pay for part of your neighbor’s bills. But what if the damage is life-threatening or permanent? This is where hiring a tradesperson makes sense.

Tradespeople are supposed to carry insurance. In fact, you should ask to see a copy of their insurance coverage or proof that they have insurance. This protects both them and you from experiencing money problems after accidents.

2. You’ll support the local economy.

Love to buy local? Remember your community plumber, electrician, or landscaper the next time you have a DIY job. Reporting from home services website Angi reveals that many skilled tradespeople felt economic shockwaves during and after the pandemic. From lowered profits to decreased take-home pay for their workers, contractors and other experts are hurting.

By hiring someone who lives in your area, you’re keeping your dollars close to home. Who knows? You might even be helping an apprentice get real, hands-on experience. Lots of professionals actively recruit apprentices and trainees. Your project will give them the chance to test their mettle under the supervision of a master tradesperson.

3. You can get more done in less time.

We’ve all had a DIY project that takes on a life of its own. The “simple powder room fix” turns into a six-month disaster. Or a DIY carpet install ends up forcing the family to live without carpet for years.

Though taking the DIY route can seem like it’s going to be fast, you need to keep a realistic perspective. Often, tasks take longer than you anticipate. Your obligations can also get in the way. What happens if your work suddenly picks up and you no longer have as much free time for DIY stuff? You could end up with The DIY Project That Wouldn’t End. Hiring a skilled tradesman may seem to cost more upfront, but it can help you preserve your time (and mental energy.)

4.  You might have to pay a premium for tools.

Forget about the supplies you need for a DIY project. How about all those tools you need, too? Many DIYers are surprised by all the tool and equipment items they didn’t realize they’d want. They end up going back and forth to the home improvement store, adding more to their credit card balance each time.

In addition to purchasing tools, you’ll also have to learn to properly use them. Again, this is where finding a skilled professional through a portal like Angi makes sense. Skilled tradespeople gain tremendous comfort around and knowledge of tools. They understand how to use them safely and effectively, too.

5. You could have trouble finding quality materials.

The building supplies and equipment supply chain was hurt during the pandemic. This means you might have trouble finding the highest quality items to make your DIY project come to life. Who wants to settle for second-best, especially when you’re envisioning a fantastic outcome?

Though professionals are also dealing with supply chain hiccups, they have more access to materials. They may even be able to reuse or reclaim materials from a different job to use on yours. That way, you won’t have to keep making compromises or waiting until next year to remodel.

6. You won’t have a warranty or guarantee.

When you take the DIY route, you naturally take on all the responsibility. If your family isn’t happy with what you did, you have no recourse. Either everyone needs to live with it, or you have to start from scratch—and put more time and money into the mix.

Experts tend to back their work with warranties, guarantees, or some other kind of consumer protection. As the buyer, you can hold them accountable for their craftsmanship. It’s peace of mind that you can’t get if you DIY.

7. You can avoid permit paperwork headaches.

Depending upon where you live, you might need a permit for what seems like a simple DIY job. A contractor or tradesperson will have the knowledge to get the permit moving. You, on the other hand, will need to begin from scratch.

Make no mistake: Some permits can be a bear to get passed through municipalities. It’s just simpler to work with someone who’s been there, done that.

Still convinced that you have to scratch your DIY itch? No problem. Concentrate on tinier DIY tasks. But save the biggies for the people who have made DIY their careers.