DIY vs Hiring a Professional: A Cautionary Tale (ft. One Very Unhappy Tin of Paint)

I’m all for a good DIY moment. There’s something satisfying about rolling up your sleeves, saving a bit of money, and thinking, “How hard can it be?”

Well… let’s just say I’ve learned my lesson.

In a bold money-saving effort during my renovation project, I decided to tackle the painting myself. Just a few walls, a quick wash coat — easy, right? I hated every single second of it. The fumes, the streaks, the drips, the roller that somehow managed to flick paint in every direction except the wall.

But, being stubborn (and optimistic), I soldiered through that first coat before calling it a day. I cleaned up, packed away the brushes, and climbed onto a chair to pop the paint back up on the top shelf.

That’s when it happened.

One swift, accidental elbow and — in slow motion — two other paint cans came tumbling down. One landed safely (phew). The other… well, the other decided to go out in a blaze of glory, exploding across the floor like a paint-filled firework.

It covered everything — the rug, two pairs of boots, and any shred of dignity I had left.

So yes, lesson learned: next time, I’ll be calling in the professionals. Because as it turns out, paying someone to paint your walls is still a lot cheaper than buying new boots, a new rug, and several litres of paint you’ll never want to see again.

And to those who genuinely enjoy painting — I admire you, I really do. I’ll be cheering you on from a safe, paint-free distance.