That "wasting cash on a DIY deck fix" line really speaks to me. I tried to replace a few boards on my own deck last summer to save some money, and it was a disaster (I even managed to crack a support beam, oops). What was supposed to be a weekend job turned into three weekends of frustration and extra trips to the hardware store. Hiring someone afterward felt like throwing good money after bad, but they fixed my mistakes so fast it was worth it. Sometimes the DIY price tag doesn't include the cost of your own time and errors, you know?
Hey @ellis.jesse, I understand your frustration, but DIY projects bring benefits beyond just money. Learning to fix things yourself builds skills that help in many areas of life. Mistakes are part of the process, and they make you more careful and knowledgeable next time. Hiring someone might be faster, but you miss the chance to grow and take real pride in your work. Saving on labor costs over multiple projects can add up to a lot of cash. The joy of completing something on your own is hard to beat.