A century ago, very few Americans thought that they could (or should) make home improvements by themselves. Heavy-duty household tasks (including painting, carpentry, carpet-laying, and plumbing) were done only by hired professionals.
However, over the past several decades, the phrase "do-it-yourself" has become the mantra of modern suburban America.
The term "do-it-yourself" was first coined in a 1912 issue of Suburban Life magazine. The article encouraged men to do their own interior painting instead of paying a professional. Over the next few decades, several other popular magazines, including Popular Mechanics, Better Homes and Gardens, and Family Handyman touted the benefits of do-it-yourself projects, often with accompanying step-by-step instructions.

U.S. home ownership skyrocketed in the early 20th century, but it wasn't until after World War II (as middle-class baby-boomer families began to populate the suburban landscape) that the do-it-yourself movement became a mass cultural phenomenon. Power tools and building supplies became widely available via mail-order catalogs and in retail stores like Sears.

By the mid-1950s, many families were doing their own house painting, thanks to the invention of the roller brush and to the paint-mixing machines that became a fixture at hardware stores across the country. Customers were able to select, match, and replicate virtually any color they wanted. Painting became an easy and inexpensive way to brighten up and individualize one's home.

Nowadays, many "do-it-yourself" practitioners have gone beyond simple painting and are willing to tackle almost anything. Popular projects include: bathroom and kitchen improvements (laying tile, installing sinks and other appliances, and cabinetwork), adding a new bedroom or family room, redecorating rooms, installing heating and air conditioning systems, and putting in windows, exterior siding and roofing. Common outdoor projects include decks, sheds, fences, sprinkler systems, and yard landscaping.

In the past decade, the advent of the Internet has fueled the "do-it-yourself" boom even further. Details about virtually any project are readily available at the click of a button -- plans can be downloaded, ideas can be exchanged, and photos and tips can be shared around the world. Web sites such as doityourself.com and www.diynet.com are excellent places to get started. Hardware stores and home improvement stores are also good resources for helpful "how-to" hints, in addition to the needed supplies and materials.

A main reason that many people do home improvement work themselves is that they save on labor expenses (which can often exceed the cost of materials). In addition, the successful completion of a job gives the worker a sense of satisfaction and pride in their own handiwork.

By Jeff Richards