When to Do It Yourself, When to Hire a Pro

Problem: You'd like to spruce up your house, but you can't seem to find the right red paint (Painting Tricks and Timesavers) to complement your olive green couch.

Enter: The color consultant. She can help you select colors that work for your space and spare you from testing 15 different reds on your walls. She can also lead you to unexpected, possibly more daring choices.

Cost: Around $50 to $75 an hour (enough time to pick colors for two rooms).

To Find One: Contact the International Association of Color Consultants/Designers at www.iaccna.org .

Consider Doing It Yourself When: You have the time and the inclination to sort through paint chips and design magazines for inspiration. For ideas, try Choosing Colors, by Kevin McCloud (Watson-Guptill, $35, www.amazon.com).

Problem: Your bookcases are buckling under their heavy load.

Enter: The carpenter. A professional knows exactly what to do, from choosing the right veneer to finding the proper wall studs that will prevent it all from crashing down.

Cost: Varies considerably. Count on spending at least a few hundred dollars for multilevel shelves.

To Find One: Ask friends and neighbors for referrals, or contact your local building association at the National Association of Home Builders' website (www.nahb.org).

Consider Doing It Yourself When: You relish the chance to act as a handyman and break out your power drill. Find a kit with instructions and hardware at a home-improvement or hardware store.

See Real Simple's Easy DIY Home Repairs

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