Do the work or pay someone?

Sounds like someone might need a hip replacement.

Oh wait...

Exactly! You don't always have the tools/materials to work on DIY projects. Also, it's very easy to overspend on spare parts or materials when you have no idea how much they really cost.

In some cases, paying a bit more to DIY is worth the lesson. You gain the knowledge about whether or not to try to attempt it again. I recall changing a kitchen sink faucet mechanism back 35 years ago when I bought my first home. My new wife was a bit shocked to hear swearing like that without seeing a Navy ship nearby.

Seriously, I never knew was inside a gear shift faucet with those little ball socket spring thingies. I thought I would learn how to reassemble it by what it looked like coming apart. This was in late-‘80s, well before Internet “how-to” videos were so prevalent.I never touched another faucet repair again unless it was for a drip 💧 repair.

I buy lower cost faucets and then when they give a problem toss them. Much less frustrating and not that expensive.

Also, I used to contract work from a real estate man. He wanted me to build him a cedar fence. He did not want a company to do it. So we got the cost of material and my labor and then compared to a company estimate on the same fence. The company wanted less for the complete project than we would have spent for the material.

Very interesting

For example, if something needs to be repaired. Then it's better to pay someone who knows better.

Generally hire specialist trades for anything inside. Whatever the job, they can always provide a better finish and in half the time. Plus, it's good to give local people work when you can.

Some things I do myself, usually basic repairs on anything without a plug or tap attached.

I find anything with timber I do myself but that's because I have been a hobbyist woodworker for a time. I always do the garden myself, but anything like driveways or paving, I tend to hire.