Plus, on the first few, you just might not have the upfront cash to "hire it out"For example, I do my own electrical in my personal residence, and from that, I NOW it doesn't "cost" a lot in materials for electrical work (aside from some specialty breakers, GFCI's, etc.), but the labor is more intensive than you might think, so that $3500 bid is not unreasonable, unless it has $2k+ in materials....I also know I am not going to do the electrical in my REI due to the time/effort involved even though I could save $2.5K on that $3500 bid...it's not worth the week It'll take me, plus the "permitting lag" that happens if you aren't a local tradie, which sets back pretty much everything else, drywallers, flooring, cabinetry, paint...etc.  

For example, I recently sold a condo I owned in Costa Mesa ($550k for 1200 sq ft!)

Just like when you avoid fixing a repair on a house for a few years that will only cost a fee hundred now.

Of course, the variance is always a possible solution, but it cost a chunk of change and is at the whim of the neighbors and politicians.