Hello weekend warrior... have you got a DIY itch to scratch and want to know what residential construction projects you can actually tackle? Here is list of things that are within the realm of the everyman - before you should hire a contractor on iseekplant to do the work for you.

DIY can save you money and makes for a great hobby, but if you do it yourself when you really shouldn’t, you can run into trouble, so let’s make it simple for you and take a look at 10 things you can do yourself, and 10 you never should!

10 DIY Residential Construction Projects You Can Conquer

1. Painting Walls and Furniture

Sure, it can be a messy job, but if you prepare well, there is no reason why you cannot do your own painting, whether it be on the walls or the furniture. Just make sure you buy lots of protective sheets, and a range of brushes and rollers, and that you prep the surfaces first, and you should have very few issues!

2. Installing Flat-Pack Furniture

Flat-packs, let’s be honest, can be infuriating, but they can also save you tons of money, and if you stay calm and work through the instructions carefully, you can build an amazing piece of furniture without having to call in an expert, bar the odd leftover screw or three!

3. Simple Shelving

Putting up a shelf is more straightforward than you might think. As long as you’ve got a level, a drill, and a decent pair of arms, you’re sorted. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even bust out an impact driver for swiftly driving in screws. Just make sure you check for hidden pipes and wires—unless you’re in the market for an unintended indoor water feature.

4. Replacing Light Fixtures (Minor Ones!)

Changing a basic pendant light or swapping out an outdated lampshade can make a world of difference to a room. If the wiring is already in place and you’re just replacing like-for-like, go for it. Switch off the mains first, follow a proper guide, and you’ll soon have a swanky new chandelier to show off (just watch your head).

5. Landscaping Your Garden

Trimming bushes, planting flowers, and edging the lawn are straightforward tasks you can tackle without a degree in horticulture. If you’re living that suburban dream, a bit of elbow grease in the garden can massively boost your home’s kerb appeal. And let’s be honest, there’s something oddly therapeutic about hacking away at weeds—you can imagine they’re all those irritating tasks on your to-do list.

6. Laying Peel-and-Stick Floor Tiles

If you’re itching to update your kitchen or bathroom on a budget, peel-and-stick tiles might just be your fairy godmother. They require minimal skill, and you can cut them to size with a basic utility knife. Just be sure to prep and measure properly, or you’ll end up with tiles that look as though they’ve had one too many G&Ts.

7. Building a Feature Wall (Shiplap or Panelling)

Whether you fancy yourself the next interior design guru or you just want a cosy cottage feel, adding shiplap or wooden panelling to a feature wall can be surprisingly manageable. Measure twice, cut once (or thrice, if you’re not fully awake), and make sure you use a level to line everything up. Before you know it, you’ll have a statement wall worthy of a glossy interiors magazine spread.

8. Re-Caulking the Bathroom

Let’s talk about that grimy black mould creeping around your tub. Nothing says “I love my home” like fresh, clean caulk lines. All you need is a caulk gun, a steady hand, and a will of steel to peel off the old stuff. You’ll be amazed at how a quick fix can make your bathroom look brand spanking new—minus the terrifying renovation bills.

9. Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Buying a whole new set of cupboards can cost a fortune, but painting your existing ones? Piece of cake (relatively speaking). Remove the doors, give them a good clean, maybe a bit of sanding, and slap on a specialised cabinet paint. The transformation can be dramatic, and your wallet will breathe a sigh of relief.

10. Installing Simple Backsplashes

This is another peel-and-stick wonder. If your kitchen splashback has seen better days, you can overlay some snazzy self-adhesive tiles or mosaic sheets for a fresh look. No tile saw required—just measure, peel, and stick. Well, and maybe smooth out a few bubbles with a credit card. It’s oddly satisfying, like covering your wall in giant stickers.

10 DIY Residential Construction Projects You Should Probably Avoid

Here is when to call a qualified, verified supplier from iseekplant. 

1. Major Electrical Work

Yes, changing a simple light fitting or swapping a fuse is one thing, but rewiring an entire circuit is a different kettle of fish. Mess it up, and you could quite literally be playing with fire (or shocking yourself silly). Leave anything beyond the basics to qualified electricians—they’ve got the right tools and the insurance.

2. Gas Related Upgrades

If your dream home revamp involves installing a new gas cooker or relocating your boiler, kindly step away and call an engineer. One wrong move could lead to carbon monoxide leaks, explosions, or something equally terrifying. Not worth it, trust me.

3. Structural Alterations

Feel the urge to knock down a wall for an open-plan space? Unless you’re 100% certain it’s not load-bearing (and you have the proper building approval), that’s a hard “no.” Otherwise, you risk your entire house collapsing in on itself like a poorly constructed soufflé. Best to let the pros handle any major structural changes.

4. Complex Plumbing Overhauls

Fixing a leaky tap or unblocking a drain is borderline okay for seasoned DIYers, but installing new pipes or messing with water pressure is a recipe for disaster. You don’t want to turn your lovely home into an impromptu swimming pool. Plumbers have specialised knowledge and tools, plus they usually arrive with charming banter to ease your stress.

5. Roof Repairs

Yes, I know, you see one missing roof tile and think, “How hard can it be?” Then you remember your fear of heights and realise the nearest hospital is a 30-minute drive away. Roof repairs often involve complicated angles, safety gear, and a healthy respect for gravity. Best to call someone who does it for a living—and can do it without turning your roof into a patchwork mess.

6. Asbestos Removal

If your home dates back to when flares were in fashion (the first time around), you might have asbestos lurking in walls, ceilings, or insulation. This isn’t a casual “throw on some gloves and a dust mask” scenario. Asbestos can pose serious health risks if not handled and disposed of correctly. Book a professional who knows how to do it safely.

7. Major Tiling Projects

I know, I know—tiling a small splashback or floor seems straightforward on a home improvement show. But large-scale or complicated tile jobs (like mosaic patterns in awkward corners) can quickly spiral into lopsided chaos. If you’re not an absolute perfectionist with the patience of a saint, you might end up with cringe-worthy results. No judgement if you do want to try, but maybe start in a low-traffic space, like the downstairs loo you never use.

8. Advanced Carpentry (Cabinets and Built-Ins)

Have you ever looked at a stunning built-in bookcase or custom cabinet and thought, “I could make that!”? Possibly you can, if you’re a wizard with circular saws and measuring tapes. But for the rest of us mortals, advanced carpentry can be a rabbit hole of frustration, wasted timber, and creative cursing. Sometimes it’s cheaper (and far less soul-destroying) to hire a joiner.

9. Tree Stump Removal

Sure, you can prune a branch or two, but taking down an entire tree is a different story altogether. One wrong cut, and you’ll have a freefalling trunk smashing your roof, your fence, or your neighbour’s new conservatory. Worse, you could seriously injure yourself. Arborists exist for a reason. Let them handle the literal heavy lifting.

10. Large Flooring Overhauls (Hardwood, Stone, Etc.)

Peel-and-stick vinyl? Go for it. Laying complex hardwood floors or stone tiles across multiple rooms, though? That’s a massive project with heaps of room for error. If you’re not a professional, you could end up with squeaky, uneven floors that haunt you for years. Unless you’ve got time, patience, and an excellent track record with power tools, call in the experts.

Now you know what you can DIY and what you can’t, your home is sure to look amazing! If we've turned you off DIY for now, and you want a qualified supplier, then use our Get a Quote feature to find a supplier near your jobsite today.