Fair points, but honestly, even pros can mess up foundations—I've seen my share of "expert" builds that needed serious fixes later. DIY isn't always about cutting corners; sometimes it's about taking the extra time to get it right. If you're thorough, patient, and willing to learn, you might end up with something sturdier than a rushed professional job. Still, foundations aren't exactly forgiving...so caution's definitely warranted.
Good points there, but I gotta say, even if you're patient and careful, foundations are one area I'd personally hesitate to DIY. I've tackled plenty of home projects myself—some turned out great, others...well, let's just say I learned a lot—but foundations are tricky. A small mistake early on can snowball into major headaches later. Maybe the sweet spot is hiring a pro for the critical parts and then DIY-ing the rest? Curious if anyone's tried that hybrid approach and how it worked out.
I've done something similar with my garage extension—hired pros just for the footings and slab, then tackled framing and finishing myself. Honestly, best decision I made. Knowing the foundation was solid gave me confidence to DIY the rest without second-guessing every little step. But now you've got me thinking...would the same hybrid method work as smoothly for something more complex, like a full basement or multi-level structure?
Interesting thought—I'd say it depends a lot on your comfort level and how much complexity you're willing to handle. A garage is pretty forgiving, structurally speaking, but once you get into basements or multi-level setups, there's more at stake with waterproofing, drainage, load-bearing walls...you get the idea. I've seen DIYers pull it off, but usually after tons of research and a few sleepless nights. Maybe hiring pros for the tricky bits like foundation waterproofing or structural beams could strike a good balance? Curious if anyone here's actually tried it.
I tackled a similar project last year—went DIY for most of it but hired pros for the foundation waterproofing. Definitely saved me some headaches. Curious though, has anyone found DIY waterproofing solutions reliable long-term, or is professional always the safer bet?
