Beneath the hopeful charm of painting your own walls and installing backsplashes is a more complicated and sometimes dangerous reality.
While DIY stands for "do it yourself" and can feel empowering, it doesn't always end well. Sometimes it turns into "damage it yourself" or even "danger involving yourself." Following instructions carefully still doesn't eliminate the risks of tackling projects without professional help. Relying on a person's tutorial on YouTube or simply "winging it" does not guarantee success.
Taking on home renovations without professional help can expose people to serious health risks. Many older homes still contain lead paint, asbestos, or toxic mold; disturbing these during remodels can release harmful particles into the air.
One sobering case comes from Melbourne, where a couple who had renovated multiple homes was later diagnosed with the same rare blood cancer. Read the full story here.
Instead of relying on outside surveys to tell the story of how renovations affect relationships, we asked homeowners directly. Our research and survey dives into how rising home prices push more couples into high-stress DIY projects—and how those projects impact their partnerships.
Take our quick survey to share your own story: DIY or Divorce? How Rising Home Prices Are Affecting Couples
It's not just about who picks the paint color or which backsplash "feels right." DIY projects can bring massive emotional and financial pressure. Unforeseen expenses pile up quickly, especially when mistakes have to be undone and reworked. This leads to what's been dubbed "Mid-Project Regret Syndrome"—a term coined by Better Homes & Gardens—where 89% of respondents said they felt overwhelmed mid-renovation and questioned why they ever started.
Alongside emotional exhaustion, there's also a growing physical cost. In 2022, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported approximately 12.7 million consumer product-related injuries, many of which were linked to DIY home improvement projects and common household items. That number has been climbing steadily since the pandemic-era home renovation boom began.
The simple point of this article is that DIY can be dangerous. Getting the home you deserve is important, but bad DIY renovations can result in relationship tensions, financial strain, injuries, and even death.