Couples Fight the Most Over This Common DIY Home Project
We’re normally on team DIY when it comes to home projects. But it's important to be realistic with what you take on. A botched tiling job or a big construction mishap can cause more harm than good.
Porch.com, a service that matches homeowners with contractors, conducted a study with more than 1,000 homeowners to learn about the DIY projects they accomplished successfully—and the ones that didn’t go so well. The study also asked couples which DIY projects have caused a fight or strain in their relationship. As you might expect, the projects that resulted in an argument weren’t as easy as hanging art or building a shelf. The top contenders involved projects only experienced DIYers should tackle.
The study didn’t dig into why couples fought over these DIY projects, but we have some pretty good guesses.
5. Exterior Paint
With all the decisions that go into painting your home's exterior, we’re not surprised to see that 32.7 percent of respondents reported fighting with their partner. In addition to picking an exterior color, you also need to choose colors for the shutters, trim, and doors. And with your home’s curb appeal on the line, there can be a little extra stress placed on the person doing the painting.
4. Installing a Ceiling Fan
We would expect a new ceiling fan to come with a handy instruction booklet outlining installation. According to the 38.2 percent of DIYers who fought over the task, that might not always be the case. Electrical work is tough, and when one partner wants to call it quits and hire a professional, it can cause some rifts in your relationship.
3. Replacing an Electrical Outlet
Starting to notice a pattern? Three of the top five projects that cause couples to argue involve electrical work. Thirty-nine percent of couples fought when working together to replace an electrical outlet. Before you try this project, make sure to test an electrical receptacle to avoid an accident.
2. Drywall Hanging or Patching
Not many couples have experience hanging or patching drywall, which could be why 41.7 percent of DIYers who give it a try end up quarreling. Maybe they disagree about how a hole ended up in the wall in the first place! When tackling new projects, it’s best to do as much research and troubleshooting before you begin so you know what you’re getting into.
1. Electrical Wiring or Rewiring
Topping the list, 43.6 percent of respondents blame electrical wiring or rewiring as a cause for bickering. Wiring can be complicated for someone without the proper tools and training. Taking your time and knowing when to call a professional can greatly prevent a squabble.
