do-it-yourself

The two companies are competing for the more consistent spending of professional building and repair companies, particularly as consumers delay large remodels and do-it-yourself projects, analysts say.

The company derives about 70% of its revenue from do-it-yourself consumers and 30% from professional contractors, leaving it more vulnerable to the vicissitudes of the consumer environment.

Robo advisers are a useful tool for the do-it-yourself type of investor, but when finances start to get tricky, such as multiple life changes or big moves, a real human can make all the difference.

Looking at the proliferation of do-it-yourself online tasks, the software company Liferay calculated this year that 82% of adults in the U.S. find themselves doing work once handled by an employee.

Life milestones like marriage or retirement can create financial complexities that even do-it-yourself investors need assistance on.