DIY Regrets (and Why You’ll Eventually Have to Fix Them)

Turns out “good enough” wasn’t

By Sarah Allen
Real estate coordinator, homeowner, and human navigating life’s plot twists

Whether you’re thinking of selling your home or not, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually regret a few of your DIY shortcuts. I didn’t think much of mine—until I started getting the house ready to list. Suddenly, every uneven drywall seam, crooked outlet cover, and paint smudge I once shrugged off is demanding attention. Past me meant well… but present me has a lot of patching to do.

The Hidden Cost of DIY Shortcuts

I’ve made plenty of DIY decisions over the years—some out of pride, some out of budget, and most out of the belief that “it’s fine for now.” Like the drywall seams I patched myself a few years ago. At the time, it felt smart and resourceful. Now, as I prepare to sell, I’ve had to post on my local Facebook group:

“Looking for a drywall person to fix the terrible job I did with the seams.”

Enough said!

Painting Without Tape: A Family Tradition

Letting my 15-year-old son paint his own room felt like a rite of passage. Unfortunately, he didn’t know how to cut in—and he definitely didn’t believe in taping or maybe he was just copying me. There’s still wall paint on the ceiling to prove it.

And now, of course, I have to fix it.

But I’m just as guilty. I’ve got light fixtures with rings of paint around the base because I once decided that taping was optional. That shortcut didn’t age well.

The Reality Check: Buyers Notice Everything

Now that I’m prepping for photos and showings, I’m seeing the house the way buyers will—and suddenly, all those “invisible” issues are hard to ignore.

That chipped baseboard I stopped noticing? Obvious. The crooked outlet cover? Glaringly off-centre.

When you’re getting your home ready to sell, the details matter. Buyers don’t have your history with the home—they just see what’s in front of them, and assume what they can’t see might be more of the same.

Lessons Learned (the Hard Way)

If you’re even thinking about selling one day, here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:

Hire help for drywall or mudding. It’s not a beginner-friendly job, and shortcuts will show later.
Paint like someone’s going to notice. Tape, prep, and second coats matter more than you think.
Fix small things while they’re still small. Loose handles, unfinished trim, scuffed baseboards—buyers notice what you’ve gotten used to.
Shortcuts often cost more later. What felt “good enough” then might come back to bite you when you’re under pressure.

It’s Too Late for Me—But Maybe Not for You

I’d love to say I’ve learned my lesson, but give me a paint roller and half an hour alone, and who knows?

What I have learned is that homes are meant to be lived in—not showroom perfect. But when it’s time to hand over the keys, you’ll wish you’d patched that drywall properly, taped off the trim, or fixed the squeaky door.

It’s too late for me, but maybe not for you.

And if this is sounding a little too familiar, you’ll probably relate to this one too:
Why Do We Wait Until We’re Leaving to Make It Lovely? — the backsplash saga, the pre-sale rush, and the very real regret of doing things too late.

I know I’m not the only one with a “what was I thinking?” project lurking in the corner. What’s your most memorable DIY misstep?