I spent days lugging samples of tile, paint, and fixtures back and forth from stores; agonizing about what angle to put the floor tiles in and what border to use; arguing with subcontractors about whose responsibility ill-fitting glass shower doors were; and trying to keep track of how everything was progressing. And all this was while doing my day job. I felt like I was always rushed and tense.

I could have taken my own advice and asked a designer for help, or hired a project manager…neither of which I did, because I was determined to do it myself. In retrospect, I should have asked for help. It would have saved me money, time, and stress. Hindsight’s always 20/20, right?

It’s likely that you’ve taken on your own project, whether it’s because you’re stubborn like me, frugal, or just a DIY queen (or king). How do you know when to ask for help? I’d say it’s at the very first moment that you feel stressed about the project. Life’s too short to have anxiety about things that you can avoid worrying about. Hiring a designer to sort through all of the many options and communicate effectively with contractors is simply an investment in your own peace of mind (and therefore your health).

Has a home improvement project ever gotten the best of you? How did YOU know when it was time to call “uncle”?