A workable line, used by plenty of pros themselves: do it yourself if the job needs basic tools, the cost of a mistake is a replacement part, and you can stop halfway without leaving the house unsafe. Patching a small hole, unclogging a stopper, swapping a shower head — safe DIY territory.
Call someone when any of these show up: the job involves the breaker panel, gas, or water under pressure behind a wall; the work is overhead, on a roof, or up high ladders; a previous DIY attempt has already failed (the second attempt is usually harder); or the tool you need costs more than the visit would.
The middle ground that saves people most: do the preparation yourself — clear the area, buy the parts, make the list — and bring a handyman in for the hour of actual fixing.
That’s exactly how our visits are built. CMG Bridge, Staten Island: $125 covers the first hour, and you can queue the whole list.