Save 20% When You BIY Instead of DIY

You want to get projects done around the house, but you lack the skills, desire, or the time to DIY. The other side of the coin — hiring it all out — is an expensive option you’d like to avoid. What to do?

BIY, that’s what.

BIY — buy-it-yourself — is a smart middle ground for those who want to upgrade their homes, be actively involved in the process, and keep a lid on the budget. A BIYer can save up to 20% on home improvements by shopping for bargains and eliminating contractor markups on materials and finishes.

It’s a growing trend that industry experts and big-box home improvement centers are watching closely, defining BIY as its own genre. Fred Miller, managing director of the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), identifies BIY as a distinct subset of DIY.

“We’ve found that about 17% of homeowners have completed BIY projects,” Miller says.

Marketing expert Matt Carmichael, author of the book “Buyographics,” suggests demographics play a role.

“Many millennials don’t have the DIY mindset their parents had,” says Carmichael, “but they still want to be hands on when it comes to fixing up and improving their homes, and they know how to buy stuff.”

Mining online information is second nature for millennial BIYers, who eagerly search for price comparisons, peer product reviews, and instructional videos.

The BIY Basics

Buy-it-yourselfers research the materials, finishes, and appliances their project requires, then shop for the best deals possible on the items, purchase them, and have them delivered to the work site.

That way, they avoid markups that a contractor or subcontractor routinely applies to the materials they buy. A BIYer also:

Avoids any hourly charges a contractor adds for picking up and delivering the BIY materials
Negotiates directly with suppliers for the best price on items
Is able to find bargains a contractor may overlook

Good BIYers work closely with their contractor or builder to decide which products and materials make sense for the BIYer to tackle, and which are best left to the contractor.

The BIY Skill Set

You might not know which end of a hammer to use, but you’ll still need a good set of skills that include:

A thorough understanding of the scope of your project
A shop-til-you-drop mind-set
An obsession with due dates and delivery schedules
A willingness to communicate tirelessly with your contractor or handyman

Understanding Your Contractor’s POV

Although it may sound like shopping and buying are your primary BIY duties, your No. 1 priority is to have good communication with your builder or subcontractor. Tell prospective contractors upfront about wanting to BIY.

Traditionally, contractors have purchased materials and scheduled delivery. They often have established relationships with suppliers that offer steep discounts to them. The contractor, in turn, marks up 50% or more on those discounted practices. It’s a standard practice in an industry where margins are narrow.

Still, depending on business, many contractors may be willing to forgo traditional pricing to secure steady work — good news for BIY homeowners. Home improvement centers help by hooking up contractors with homeowners — a practice HIRI notes is on the rise over the past several years.

A contractor’s main concern is that BIYers hold up their end of the bargain by ensuring everything is delivered to the job site on time so that work proceeds smoothly.

For you, this means ordering exactly the right types and quantities of materials, and pinning down delivery dates and times. Let your contractor know of any changes (a delivery truck got stuck in Reno) right away.

The Remodeling Contract

Your remodeling contract should clearly state what materials, appliances, and finishes you will supply, and approximate delivery dates. Your contractor needs this information before he can prepare an accurate bid for the work.

Any changes to your responsibilities should be stated in writing and signed by both the contractor and you. You’ll want to make sure that any casual suggestions for changes to the scope of your project (and what you’ll provide) don’t result in a contractor dispute.

Related: 5 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor

What to BIY and What Not to

Stick to buying items that will be visible when the project’s done and leave everything else for your contractor to get. Not only will you be in charge of high-profile finishes, materials, and appliances, but you’ll be assured of getting the look that makes you happy.

The BIY Basics

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