Feeling Overwhelmed During a DIY Project? Here’s What Experts Recommend

You were a different person when you started your current DIY home renovation project; you felt eager to begin and excited for the finished product. But after weeks dragged on and the costs mounted, you lost motivation. Now that you’ve seen what’s involved, you’re questioning if you’re up to the task. 

If that sounds familiar, you’re likely experiencing Mid-Project Regret Syndrome (MPRS), a real phenomenon that 89% of survey respondents reported feeling during projects, according to our 2024 DIY Trend Report. Below, we’ve outlined five tips to consider when you’re in the thick of it.

1. Pinpoint the Problem

“You need to figure out what the issue is and how to rectify it,” says owner of Air Force Roofing and Dreamscape Construction Matthew Consolo. “You won’t think clearly while you’re still muddling through.”

Per our trend report, the number one cause of MPRS is projects taking longer than expected. This is super common, even for professionals who regularly experience setbacks either when products and supplies fail to ship or they uncover problems with the home mid-project. You might even feel overwhelmed if you realize the job is a little more difficult than you first thought. 

“For some jobs, it takes a knack,” Consolo says. “Tiling is one of those jobs that appears easy, but with uneven walls and recesses, it can become a nightmare.”

It could even be that you’re stressed about something serious such as electrical or plumbing, in which case there’s no shame in pumping the brakes. 

“Safety first,” says Anastasia Ristau, PhD, LP, Clinical Psychologist & Director of Psychotherapeutics, PrairieCare. Ristau suggests calling it quits if a project requires specific certified skills for safety or to meet standard legal or safety requirements.

2. Shift Your Mindset

“Breathe, take a step back, and be logical. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, then chances are you’ll make poor choices,” says Consolo. “If you rush a project through, you end up with a result you’re simply unhappy with.”

At the outset, planning for setbacks is crucial to your success and your expectations. If you anticipate knocking a project out in record time without a single hiccup, you’ll get upset if anything goes south. Consolo says to find tutorials before you begin as a confidence boost. Maybe consult a seasoned DIYer who can give you another pair of eyes on your progress.

And don’t forget to keep it cool, calm, and collected throughout. When you feel frustration creeping up, it may be time to put down the hammer.

“If you are feeling stressed, walk away and take a break,” Consol says. “This technique really works. When I’ve got frustrated tackling a rusted fastening, rather than plow on, I’ve reached for a can of WD40, given it a squirt, and gone for a tea break. Once you’re relaxed, pick up the tools again.”

3. Be Practical with Costs

According to Consolo, many DIYers believe they’re saving money when, in reality, the project can be more expensive than using a contractor. It’s best to put aside extra cash for this reason.

“Professionals always figure in a 10% buffer for project budgets, to prepare for ‘surprises.’ It’s easy to get discouraged mid-project if you feel that the costs are running up faster than you had planned,” says Diana Hathaway, an interior designer and color expert at Diana Hathaway Home. “If you have a realistic budget with surprises figured in, it will help you feel good about the project all the way through.”

Consolo also says if you’re over budget because you’ve made some mistakes during your project, that might be enough reason to hire a professional. They know where you can save and where you need to spend, and splitting tasks between you and the professional could help you speed through the project. You could also revisit the drawing board and save a few bucks on the materials. 

“You can cut costs by trading high-ticket items for similar but lower-cost alternatives,” says Consolo. “If you planned to use natural slate tiles you could opt for cheaper man-made slate. Small down-grades that don’t affect the aesthetics can cut costs without looking cheap.”

4. Come Up with a Game Plan

You likely had a plan when you started your project, but production times changed or materials aren’t available, and it’s time to regroup. If you’re feeling stressed halfway through, it could be time to engineer a new game plan. 

Instead of looking at the project as a whole, Consolo recommends focusing on individual tasks, breaking the project down into small chunks that are easier to handle on their own. It’s especially helpful to estimate the time required for each of these bite-sized tasks and then add some additional time as room for error.

And when you do create these smaller tasks, make a manageable plan for yourself to help you regain control over the project. Set a timeline per week of which tasks you will complete and make it during doable hours so you aren’t working late nights where your quality of work may dwindle.

“Think of this like creating chapters for the larger story—each chapter gets you closer to the end goal and allows you to notice when you could use help early on to prevent becoming overwhelmed and gives more opportunities to feel the satisfaction of achievement and success along the way,” says Ristau. “This, in turn, helps keep motivation and momentum at useful levels.“

Ristau also says you can maintain motivation by celebrating milestones within the project. This way, you can see all you have completed and where you are in the process. Another helpful tip from Consolo is to specifically label each task so your plan is more focused and doesn’t sound as daunting.

5. Get Skilled Help

If you’ve tried a few of these tricks, but want to cut your losses, it might be time to hire a pro. One sign it’s time to call it quits is if the job has gotten too complex for your abilities—especially if it means compromising your safety. 

“Fiddling with electrics, gas, and pipes can have serious consequences and should not be done without proper training and, in some cases, qualifications,” Consolo says. 

From a bigger-picture standpoint, calling in a professional could mean seeing a bigger return on your investment. For example, if you want to maximize your home’s resale value later on, or if you have an upcoming project deadline because you need to sell, then hiring a professional may be in your best interest, according to Ristau.

When you decide it’s time to ask for help, that doesn’t mean you don’t get to try another DIY project down the road. Calling in the professionals could help you tackle your next endeavor with a little more experience and knowledge under your belt. 

“Start by reaching out to friends, family, and neighbors,” says Ristau. “Help can come in the form of people to do the work, support from others, ideas, tips and tricks of the trade, materials, supplies, or tools. You never know—you might be surprised at the degree to which help is available!”