Buying a house is an expensive endeavor.
An easy way to save money is to tackle repairs around the house yourself.
Some projects are easier than others, and theres definitely a learning curve for novicehandypeople.
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But the numbers dont lie:Youll save money with DIY home repair.
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
For example:
Those are big jobs that require a lot of skill.
20 DIY Home Repair Skills Everyone Should Learn
1.
Either way, its pretty easy to repair yourself.
Check out thisguide for repairing drywall.
Theres even a shopping list for when you hit up the hardware store.
It costs even more for larger homes or if you want the ceilings and trim done as well.
Just go at it one room at a time, maybe one per weekend, until its done.
Painting Cabinets
New cabinets are the most expensive part of akitchen remodel.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association estimates they make up 28% of your total renovation costs.
Be warned: Painting kitchen cabinets is a time-consuming project, but the payoff is usually worth it.
Usually, you just need to replace a leaky flapper, which is less than $10 at Lowes.
If you call aplumberout, be prepared to pay $100 or more just for the service call.
Want to save even more money in the bathroom?
Switch to a low-flow toilet.
Just ensure you know the actual cause of the leak before you get going any repairs.
Instead, a plumbing snake from the local hardware store could do the trick.
Family Handyman offers a greatstep-by-step guide.
Unclogging a Drain
Toilets arent all that need unclogging.
Instead, bust out the drain snake again.
If the clog isnt too deep, you might be able to handle it yourself.
If you oughta replace any pipes to fix your water pressure, leave that to a professional plumber.
Sometimes all it takes is a clockwise turn to increase pressure.
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Fixing Creaky Floors
Creaky floorboards might just need a bit of lubrication.
The average professional floor repair costs $40 to $60 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor.
Fixing Squeaky Doors
Doors can also be a source of unwanted sound.
You might reach for the WD-40 toremedy a squeaky door hinge, but Bob Vila advises against that.
Mayonnaise or steel wool.
Just double-check you know what kind of light switch youre working with.
Dummies has adetailed guidefor various types.
Its smart to have someone with you when you install a ceiling fan.
Doing it yourself can save you up to $250 in labor costs, per HomeAdvisor.
In fact, you should do this regularly even if your dryer isnt malfunctioning.
A clogged vent can be a fire hazard.
But whatever the fix?
you could do it yourself.
Then take a hammer and putty knife (or crowbar) to loosen the window.
This is actually an important step to take for your familys safety.
In the event of a fire, its crucial that all windows are operable.
How to Learn DIY Home Repair Basics
Learning basic home improvement skills can be daunting.
But dont sell yourself short.
You just need a little time and some quality resources to learn how to do it yourself.
you’ve got the option to often score these for a bargain secondhand.
Over time, your basement or tool shed will be well stocked for any repair.
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Which House Repairs Should You Leave for Professionals?
While DIY home repair can save you a lot of cash, certain projects are better left to professionals.
In general, its better to leave anything beyond basic plumbing and electrical work to professional contractors.
Other projects might be unsafe for the novice handyperson.
Their job is to help verify home improvement projects are done right.
Contributor Timothy Moore is a writer and editor in Cincinnati.
He focuses on banks, automotive, insurance and a variety of lifestyle topics for The Penny Hoarder.
His work has been featured on Forbes, USA Today, Angi, LendEDU, Chime and SoFi.
