Is your home in need of a little TLC? If a home remodel is in your future, you may not need to call on the help of a professional. Save yourself money and get your hands dirty. These are the most common home repairs that you can do yourself. So roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Common DIY Home Projects
Painting–painting a room, or rooms, in your house is fairly simple, and is not all that expensive. Start by choosing your paint colors, and be sure that you buy good brushes and rollers, as well as any other materials (painter’s tape, tarps, etc). The last thing you want is your painting job to look like you did it yourself.
Updating fixtures or hardware–changing knobs or handles on fixtures around your home can create a different look. Even better, it can be done quickly and cheaply. Most fixtures and hardware are standard sizes, though some are custom-sized. Always check the size before you purchase anything new.
Replacing molding–adding crown molding can complete transform the look and feel of a room. Installation doesn’t take long, and it can be done cheaply. To save time and aggravation, paint the molding before you install it.
A waterproofed basement can have many benefits. Waterproofing, for example, can limit mold growth. It can also protect a home from flood damage, the most common disaster in America, and averages about three million dollars in claim costs each year. DIY basement waterproofing can be dangerous sometimes. If you think moisture is coming from giant cracks in the foundation, for example, then you likely won’t be able to fix the problem yourself.
Installing a new toilet–perhaps one of the most common home projects you’ll take on is replacing your toilet. Most homeowners have to do this atleast once. Look for a step-by-step guide to walk you through the process.
Changing a showerhead–another very common project that is both easy and cheap to perform. Home improvement stores like Lowe’s or home Depot provide step-by-step directions to replace your old shower head or faucet with a new one.
Replacing light fixtures–this one does take a bit of skill. The most important thing to keep in mind is to turn off the electricity while you are changing out the fixture so that you don’t get electrocuted. Certain types of lighting allows you to simply replace the cover, instead of just the entire light fixture itself. Salvage yards can be a great place to find new fixtures but you do want to ensure the wiring is in tact.
Maintaining toilet – In older homes, toilet leaking is quite a common problem. Possible causes are tank lid leak, loose tee bolts, loose water supply line, or faulty wax ring. Contact a professional plumber to fix the issue. Check out more about – How to fix toilet leaking around its base?
Is It Worth it to Do it Myself?
Doing DIY projects can be money-saving or a challenge – of doing it yourself. DIY painting, installing kitchen floors, or bathroom remodeling can be an exciting experience. But this is not the same when it comes to foundation repair. DIY foundation repair can be dangerous because foundation repair is complicated, and efficiency requires years of on-the-job experience.
Doing things yourself may save you money, but it can come with a cost. Certain projects can take a long time to complete. If you only have limited days to complete work, weekends, for example, then your home may be a construction zone for a long period of time. Other projects, like replacing a toilet, can be done quickly.
newflowplumbing.com/toilet-leaking-around-its-base-simple-solutions/Another thing you need to consider before starting a project is the cost of materials. Before starting a project, it is a good idea to price out all of your materials at a few different stores. Don’t forget to check salvage stores as well. Often you can find materials at a significant discount from the big box stores simply because they’ve been discontinued, are overstock or are seconds quality.
A final step before starting any project is to estimate the cost of the repair. Use this calculator to determine what an hour of your time is worth, and then multiply that number by the number of hours the project is estimated to take. This will give you a concrete answer for what your time is worth and use it to decide whether or not you should hire a professional.
Risky or complicated home repairs, such as ones involving plumbing or electrical work are best left to a professional. If you are in doubt about making the repair on your own, always consult a professional.
If you’re thinking about listing your Cincinnati home for sale, doing some basic home improvements may improve its curb appeal and possibly increase it’s value. With spring and nicer temperatures on the way, now is the best time to start all your home improvement projects.