I'd prefer to fix it myself before hiring someone that charges way to much that I could do myself. I also have friends that will do the job really really cheap if I really really need them otherwise, I paint, put up all my own wall border, install my own faucets and my boyfriend has installed some light fixtures and ceiling fans.
Most of the time I prefer to do these things myself. Some jobs I just really like (painting, wall papering, spackling) and I like the satisfaction of being able to do it myself or to learn somethings new. When I face a job that I haven't done before, and feel like I could really mess it (or myself!) up if I made a mistake (like burn the house down, flood my house, or electrocute myself-- LOL!), then I call someone to help walk me through it, and I pay them, but watch to learn, and ask a lot of questions about it, hoping I can do it myself next time. Also, when a job needs major tools I don't have, I usually just call a contractor, though I don't like paying someone for something I can do myself, given the right tools.
My fiance and his dad are Mr. Fixits so when something needs done one or both of them do it. My fiances dad is a licensed contractor and we help him with a lot of remodeling jobs... So we do it ourselves.
