Why Do You Want a Plugin?
Before deciding how to enhance your site, ask yourself these questions:
What’s the specific functionality you need?
Is there a core function already in place for this?
Is it a simple, single function like adding another sidebar or customizing the admin menu?
Do you (or your client) need to change options for this particular use?
This will help you decide if it’s more effective to install a third party plugin, or if you should write one yourself.
And, when weighing your time, remember to include how long it will take you to find, test, and vet someone else’s plugin.
Also remember that once you’ve written a plugin, you can easily modify and re-use it for other projects.