We’ve Found 20 DIY Hacks That Could Save You Thousands

Here's how much you can save if you get your hands dirty

For homeowners, the to-do list of projects very rarely gets shorter. Whether you've just moved into a new place or you're looking to refresh the space you already have, the cost of materials and hiring a professional to help you do the job can soon spiral.

From giving your kitchen cabinets a makeover to sprucing up your backyard, these DIY projects are easy enough to tackle yourself and could save you thousands.

So, roll up your sleeves and click or scroll to discover the tasks that could save you money and transform your home...

Paint the front door

Did you know that a new front door can cost, on average, anywhere between $200 and $2,400, according to Angi? Then, if you need to pay someone to install it for you (which is always recommended for safety and security reasons), you're looking at an additional $550 to $2,000 and upwards, depending on the door type and where in the country you live. Staggering, isn't it?

If your front door is spoiling your curb appeal, it might be time to repaint it. This guide from the experts at Family Handyman will show you how. Just make sure you buy exterior wood paint, that's designed to endure constant exposure to the weather.

Fix, fill and prep walls for painting

If you're looking to repaint your walls but they're showing signs of wear and tear – chips, cracks or holes – then they'll need to be fixed in advance. You could hire a professional to do the job, but it won't be cheap. Airtasker suggests you'll be charged between $860 and $1,218, for someone to replaster a medium-sized room.

However, filling and smoothing walls is actually a fairly easy DIY job and limited tools, such as a plastering trowel, filler knife and sandpaper, make it an affordable one, too. 

Repair wallpaper

Have you noticed some of your wallpaper is starting to look a little worse for wear? Perhaps the joins are starting to curl, sections are beginning to peel or tears have cropped up. Instead of hiring a contractor to repair any wallpaper problems, or starting from scratch, grab your apron and tackle the job yourself.

According to Angi, hiring someone to re-wallpaper could cost you $25 to $80 per hour in labor alone, so that could soon add up if you have more than one room to sort. WikiHow explains the process of repairing wallpaper and it's surprisingly simple!

Stencil floor tiles

If your bathroom or kitchen floor is starting to look dingy or old-fashioned, you might be considering ripping it out and laying new tiles. Well, according to Fixr, Americans can expect to pay between $1,000 and $5,000 for a new tiled floor, or $7 to $14 per square foot, "however, elaborate patterns may raise this cost an additional 10% to 20%."

A fantastic alternative to starting from scratch is giving your current tiling a facelift. You can buy tile stencils online from sites like Etsy. You must prep your floor and use a good quality flat sheen base coat paint. "Any good latex or acrylic wall paint will do," Cutting Edge Stencils says. "Durability is achieved when you prime your tile floor with adhesive primer."

Hang new doors

If you want to swap your internal doors for new ones, then you can expect to pay a handyman, on average, between $149-$348 per door to do the job for you, according to Airtasker. However, "several factors determine the cost to hang a door, including the type of door you want, the tools needed and if there is a need to remove the old door."

So you could save yourself a small fortune by taking on the task yourself. This guide from Family Handyman will show you how to replace a standard internal door, including how to trim it to size and how to properly screw on the hinges.

Regrout and seal bathroom tiles

No matter how regular we are with our cleaning routine, tile grout and sealant can quickly become discolored and start to deteriorate. Old grout can act as a breeding ground for mold or mildew in damp bathroom conditions and this can cause the seal between the tiles to no longer be waterproof.

So, if you're planning to fix your bathroom tiling, you could save as much as $1,945 by doing the job yourself, according to Forbes. That's because "you could spend as much as $2,000 on materials and labor or as little as $55 if you decide to DIY the project." Follow this guide from The Spruce.

Transform a backsplash

Fitting a new kitchen can cost thousands. In fact, according to Angi, the average U.S. homeowner spends $26,901 on a kitchen remodel, "but the cost ranges from $14,606 and $41,439, depending on the scope of the project." Avoid such eye-watering sums by sprucing up what you already have.

If you don't have the budget to retile your backsplash, then consider buying a tin of waterproof tile paint, like Muscovado Intelligent Eggshell (pictured) from Little Greene, or use kitchen-proof tile stickers to give your backsplash an affordable makeover. 

Repaint kitchen cabinets

And why stop there? Giving your kitchen cabinets a fresh lick of paint will make a big difference – and not just to how the room looks. According to Singletrack Painting, repainting your kitchen cabinets could add an average of $2,000 to the value of your home, with the outlay for materials (sandpaper, a paintbrush, and a can of furniture paint) being as little as $300. 

This is even more enticing when you consider that "new kitchen cabinets typically cost anywhere from $2,500 to $24,000," Cliqstudios confirms. There are countless guides to painting kitchen cabinets, like this one from Architectural Digest, but just ensure you buy suitable paint.

Pull up carpets

If you're looking to lay a brand-new carpet or expose original hardwood floors, then you may need to rip out old carpets to do so. But did you know that carpet removal costs can range from $120 to $720, with many homeowners spending around $280? 

Since you're looking at paying between $2.50 and $6 per square foot for carpet installation, which "means that for 1,000 square feet of carpet, the cost could range from $2,500 to $6,000," you should consider pulling the old ones up yourself.

Follow this step-by-step guide by This Old House and ensure you wear gloves and protect your face and eyes with a mask and goggles, because it's a dusty job and loose nails or staples could easily cause injury.

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Hang pictures or shelves

It might sound like a scary prospect, but hanging your own pictures and shelving units will teach you skills that you'll be able to use again and again. Not only that, but you'll also save hundreds of dollars.

According to Homewyse, you can expect to pay someone in the region of $18.41 to $26.93 per linear foot for installing shelving, while the average service rate for installing a single picture is $60. Our dedicated guide to easy DIY tasks will show you how to successfully tackle both projects.

Personalize flat-pack furniture

In a world where new furniture can cost hundreds of dollars, flat-pack alternatives are a fantastic, budget-friendly option. These self-assembly units tend to be fairly basic in terms of design, but they will set you back a fraction of the price of designer furnishings.

However, should you want to achieve a more bespoke finish, you can easily tackle an upcycling project to turn a generic flat-pack item into a one-of-a-kind statement piece. Lick has a guide to upcycling furnishings, as well as some amazing project ideas to inspire you.

Check your pipes

Each year, it’s vital to check your pipes to ensure there are no leaks, corrosion or kinks that need to be fixed. Pipe cleaning kits and solutions can solve many of the most common plumbing problems, such as a blocked garbage disposal or backed-up toilet, and are relatively cheap to buy from hardware stores. After all, "most plumbers charge $45 to $200 an hour depending on the type of job" Forbes suggests, with "simple leaks from a fixture such as a toilet or a kitchen sink" costing about $275 to repair.

Build your own recess storage solutions

There's nothing better than a custom-made built-in, crafted by an artisan carpenter, but it's a luxury that doesn't come cheap. As Fixr suggests, the "average hourly rate of a carpenter who creates cabinetry is $75 to $125 an hour," but the total range is $40 to $200 per hour, "depending on the job and the level of mastery the carpenter has." So, if you're on a budget, consider buying modular units or adapting flat-pack items to create valuable recess storage.

Fix fencing

Over time, heavy rain and strong winds can wreak havoc with backyard fencing, causing it to look unsightly, or worse, fall apart. The longer you put off fence repairs, the worse the situation will become, so time is of the essence.

In the U.S., "the average fence repair cost is $599, including materials and labor," Angi says, with most homeowners paying "between $302 and $926 depending on the extent of damage, the fence’s material, its size and more." But, with endless online tutorials available, you'll be able to replace an entire fence panel or install a new supporting rail in no time.

Secure the shed

Sheds are ideal storage units for everything from valuable tools to bicycles, which is why they are often targeted by criminals. "Despite holding such valuable items, many sheds aren’t very secure," Safewise explains. "Whether your shed is next to your home or not, treat it with the same level of security as your home and yard."

From identifying structural weaknesses to ensuring hinges and locks are secure, Safewise's guide to successfully securing your shed could help you protect your belongings and save money, since the average rate for a handyman in the U.S. is $50 to $80 per hour.

Refresh your patio/deck

Over time, your once shiny new deck or patio can become overtaken by weeds or green algae, so they require regular maintenance to keep them looking fresh. "Depending on the patio and yard size, the average cost to clean them is between $100 and $500," The Pinnacle List suggests. However, "if your patio has a lot of grease marks, you may need to pressure wash it, which can cost between $200 and $500."

Alternatively, you can pick up a pressure washer from your local hardware store for as little as $55, and you'll be able to use it again and again. Alternatively, "white vinegar is a popular natural cleaner that can be used both inside and outside," Decks & Docks says. "Simply combine one gallon of water with one cup of white vinegar and scrub the deck with the solution to remove algae, mold, and mildew."

Repair patio furniture

If left exposed to the elements, backyard furniture – particularly wooden items – can quickly look tatty and even deteriorate to the point of breaking. However, a new outdoor set can cost hundreds of dollars.

Instead, make do with what you have by repairing and revamping your old patio furniture. If made from wood, you can measure and cut new slats and install them using nails. Wood should also be treated once a year with a wax-free preserver, to prevent fungi and rot.

If your furniture is metal, this cleaning guide from Gardenista should help, while those with wicker or rattan pieces can follow this expert guide to fix any broken elements.

Clear gutters

We know it isn't the most enticing of household jobs, but ensuring your gutters are cleared of debris and leaves will ensure water flows freely, preventing issues like damp and internal leaks. Plus, clogged gutters won't exactly be adding curb appeal to your property.

According to Angi, professional gutter cleaning costs $166 on average, but most people pay between $119 and $234, depending on several factors, such as the length and type of gutters you have, as well as the size of your home. So, grab a step ladder, goggles, bucket and a pair of gloves and get stuck in!

Protect exterior paintwork

From window frames to brickwork, exterior paint not only makes homes look inviting but acts as the first line of defence against the elements. You might think that chips, cracks and flaking paint aren’t a big issue, but durable exterior wall coatings protect your property from weather damage and stop water from penetrating the walls, which can lead to mold growth and other forms of damage. 

Exterior house painting costs $1 to $4 per square foot on average, Home Guide suggests and labor costs increase for homes with multiple stories, obstructions like trees, or uneven ground. So, you might want to consider taking on smaller jobs yourself. Just be sure to always follow ladder safety guidelines.

Spruce up the backyard

If you're lucky enough to have a backyard, you'll know there's nothing better than enjoying an alfresco meal or drink during the warmest months of the year. But, it goes without saying that yards can be fairly high maintenance and require work to keep them looking neat and tidy.

If yours needs sprucing up, you could save yourself a couple of hundred bucks by doing it yourself. According to Bark, a professional gardener will charge between $20 and $30 per hour. So grab those gardening gloves and get started!

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