We’re busy people with plenty to do. Until someone figures out how to squeeze more hours into a day, we need to make some tough decisions: Should we do everything ourselves or pay someone to help? Before we share our tips to help you decide, let’s look at some everyday tasks that can be outsourced.1
Cooking
We get it. Weeknights are hectic, and no one is thrilled about the post-meal cleanup. So, should you cook, order takeout, or subscribe to a meal kit service? It’s hard to beat the value of home cooking, especially if you make meals in batches and freeze them. But if life keeps you super busy—or your cooking skills are not so great—spend the money to save time and hassle.
Grocery shopping
Groceries have gotten pretty pricy. Add a delivery fee and tip, and a trip to the store suddenly becomes worth it, with the bonus factor of choosing your own produce. For people who can’t get to the store regularly, delivery is a necessity. For others, it boils down to paying more to save time or bringing home avocados and bananas that last longer than a day.
Housecleaning
Coming home to a clean, tidy house is undeniably fantastic. It gives you more time in the day and reduces arguments about whose turn it is to clean the shower. On the other hand, there’s something satisfying about wiping away the dirt, dust, and grime yourself. Since the average cost for a housecleaning visit is $200, your budget can determine whether weekly, monthly, occasional, or no outside help is possible now.
Landscaping
Like housecleaning, there’s something to be said for a crew that makes everything look good without you lifting a finger. And most suburbanites agree that yardwork feels like a full-time job. Hiring someone to mow costs typically $30-$65 a week, more for trimming, fertilizing, aerating, dethatching, and cleanup. This one is a toss-up that depends on your time, energy, budget, and green thumb.
Oil change
Changing the oil is fairly easy, but we still recommend hiring a professional to do it. Your mechanic has the setup to change the oil safely and a legal, environmentally friendly way to dispose of the used motor oil. Plus, they can identify other potential issues with your ride.
Taxes
Hire a tax pro ($220), purchase tax prep software ($120+), or break out the calculator ($0)? It depends on how complicated your tax situation is and how comfortable you are with tax forms. Filing errors can get expensive, so choose a well-done return over IRS trouble.
Home improvement and repairs
File this under “It depends.” Do you consider yourself pretty handy? A lot of projects are DIY-friendly. With a few tools and a video tutorial, beginners can patch drywall, clear minor clogs, and replace a kitchen faucet. Call a pro for major work that could harm you or your house. For minor work that’s out of your wheelhouse, it can be costly to hire a business. Ask your neighborhood social media groups for advice and recommendations for independent contractors—but make sure they are insured and licensed before they get to work.
Transportation
Ride-share apps have drastically changed how we move through cities and suburbs, and we welcome anything that gets people home safely after a few drinks. However, for short trips, consider cheaper alternatives like cycling, walking, and public transportation.
Moving
Relocating is ALWAYS a pain. Always. The process of packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking is best avoided at all costs. But should you hire a mover? Again, “depends” is the verdict. Are you moving a houseful of items and furniture? Across state lines? Then, a properly licensed, well-reviewed moving company is probably worth $2,000-$5,000 (based on distance and volume). Chances are, you have more stuff than you realize. If you recruit friends and family instead, respect their time and pack up everything before they arrive.
Questions to help you decide
Is it cheaper to do it yourself?
Sure, you don’t have to pay yourself, but your time is valuable, too. If you have the skills to do something quickly, easily, and competently, give it a go, but remember to consider costs like new tools, supplies, software, gasoline, and whatever else it takes to get the job done.
Is it quicker to do it yourself?
A professional is often more efficient, but you still may need to research and get estimates to find the right person for the job. Hiring someone also means working on their schedule, not yours.
Can you do it competently?
There’s a lot to be said about trying something new, whether it’s painting a bedroom or understanding your tax return. But learning a skill takes time, patience, and some ability in that area. If it’s something you think you might be good at, even if it takes longer, give it a go. Otherwise, leave it to the pros.
Can you do it safely?
Unless you already have experience in an area, hire a pro for tasks that can hurt you, like climbing a ladder, operating heavy machinery, or handling chemicals.
How much is your time worth?
Would you rather spend the weekend assembling a bookshelf or catching up with friends? Do you want to spend your lunch hour walking your dog or actually having lunch? Maybe you even enjoy walking Milo, mowing your lawn, or fixing your car.
Think about budgeting your time like budgeting your money. Give yourself a certain number of hours for projects as well as time to relax. What are some tasks you always DIY or call a pro? Let us know on our social media channels!
