- When to DIY, When to Hire a Pro
Problem
Your china cabinet is full of unused mint-condition heirlooms.
Enter
The eBay drop-off store. These independently owned stores handle everything from photographing to shipping. Stores known as Power Sellers, such as iSold It, may fetch a higher price than you can, and there's usually no charge if an item doesn't sell.
Cost
A commission of up to 35 percent of the sale.
To Find One
Go to i-soldit.com for stores, or look under Consignment Services at auctionbytes.com.
Consider Doing It Yourself When
You are comfortable uploading digital pictures and have time to pack and ship the goods. Setting up an eBay account and posting a picture is free. If you sell, eBay keeps a commission of 5.25 to 1.5 percent of the sale, depending on the selling price.
- When to DIY, When to Hire a Pro
Problem
Your bookcases are buckling under their heavy load.
Enter
The carpenter. A professional knows exactly what to do, from choosing the right veneer to finding the proper wall studs that will prevent it all from crashing down.
Cost
Varies considerably. Count on spending at least a few hundred dollars for multilevel shelves.
To Find One
Ask friends and neighbors for referrals, or contact your local building association at the National Association of Home Builders' website (nahb.org).
Consider Doing It Yourself When
You relish the chance to act as a handyman and break out your power drill. Find a kit with instructions and hardware at a home-improvement or hardware store.
- When to DIY, When to Hire a Pro
Problem
Your energy bill has gone through the roof, and you still feel a chill.
Enter
The energy auditor or rater. These pros come armed with sophisticated equipment to trace even tiny air leaks and will prioritize problem areas inyour home. Some local utility companies will send a contractor to you for a free basic inspection.
Cost
Zero to $350.
To Find One
Check out energystar.gov or the ResidentialEnergy Services Network at natresnet.org for a certified rater.
Consider Doing It Yourself When
You want to know your house from the insulation out. Check your local utility company's website. Many have relatively easy instructions for do-it-yourself energy audits. Or see the U.S. Department eere.energy.gov/consumer.
- When to DIY, When to Hire a Pro
Problem
You have a living room full of lovely furniture, but the arrangement isn't working.
Enter
The professional restyler. Also called redecorators and interior refiners, restylers will pop into your home, look at what you've got, and rearrange it, giving your old furniture new life.
Cost$200 to $350 a room.
To Find One
The Interior Refiners Network (interiorrefiners.com) has a directory of local restylers.
Consider Doing It Yourself When
You want to learn the tricks of the styling trade. You can read a book such as Home Therapy (Perigree, $20, amazon.com), by Lauri Ward, or check out15 Minutes to a Better Room.
- When to DIY, When to Hire a Pro
Problem
Despite your best efforts, your house always seems to be a disaster zone.
Enter
The house cleaner. One person or a whole crew will do the dirty work for you, whether it's a weekly visit or a job every few months -- all in acouple of hours.
Cost
$80 to $400 a visit, ranging from maintenance to a deep cleaning.
To Find One
Ask friends for referrals, or try the National Cleaning Directory (cleaningassociation.com).
Consider Doing It Yourself When
You're picky about where you stash Bobby's toys. It may take a bit longer to get the job done, but you'll have the peace of mind of knowing what's where.
- When to DIY, When to Hire a Pro
Problem
Your carpet is stained, and your upholstery and curtains are looking dingy enough to darken anyone's mood.
Enter
Curtain, upholstery, and carpet cleaners. They'll work with heavy equipment and cleaning solvents for a deep cleaning that will extend the life of your home's fabrics.
Cost
About 25 cents a square foot for curtains, $12 to $25 a linear foot for upholstery, and 30 cents a square foot for carpets.
To Find One
Ask around, or look up Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning in the Yellow Pages.
Consider Doing It Yourself When
It's a small job, the stains are minor, or it's an in-between maintenance job. For less risk of permanent damage, know the type of fiber and stainsyou're dealing with.
- When to DIY, When to Hire a Pro
Problem
Your home computer has taken mutiny to a new level.
Enter
The home-technology consultant. A pro will save you time on tasks like setting up a computer and rescuing a hard-drive crash and make all systems go by the endof setup.
Cost
$100 to $250 a visit.
To Find One
Find a tech specialist nationwide at Best Buy stores or geeksquad.com, or servicemagic.com.
Consider Doing It Yourself When
You have a knack for technology and aren't intimidated by the jungle of wires inside your machine's guts. For live troubleshooting help, call a manufacturer's 800 number and be prepared for a wait and perhaps a fee.
