Many homeowners get in over their heads when it comes to do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. There’s nothing more frightening than getting halfway finished with a job and realizing that you bit off more than you could chew. At that point, calling in professionals is the only option. Besides feeling like you wasted your time and money, the pros might have to fix or clean up what you did before they came to the rescue. Not a pretty picture.
Here are seven of the most common DIY projects that just about anyone can do. There’s certainly no “heavy lifting” involved with these fun, easy-to-do projects that all cost less than $100 and pay for themselves many times over. As we always say here, make sure you have the know-how and proper tools before taking on any home repair job. And remember, safety first!
If you own a home and want to spruce it up a bit or perform a fix-it job here and there, consider any, or all, of the following seven projects.
Install mesh gutter guards:
OK, it’s not the sexiest of DIY jobs, but is an absolute must if your gutters routinely get clogged with leaves and other seasonal debris. Clogged gutters can lead to multiple costly problems, like roof damage and unwanted water buildup.
For about $1 per linear foot, you can purchase gutter guards at a local hardware store and go to work. After clearing the junk out of your gutters, cut the guards to size and make sure they cover the top of the gutters all around your house, or maybe just in trouble spots where leaves accumulate. These magical, and cheap, little screens are worth their weight in gold, and will keep your gutters clog-free for many moons.
Reinvent your front door:
This is a DIY that everyone seems to love. Transform a blah front door into a showpiece by repainting it, adding new hinges, replacing doorknobs, and attaching a shiny set of address numbers to the front. A tasteful welcome mat and a couple of brightly colored flower pots finish the job. Cost: minimal. Fun factor: way high.
Love your lawn:
Now for the mundane part: yard work. Actually, if you have a green thumb, this might be the most interesting job on the list. Spend less than $100 on fertilizer, seeds and a few colorful plants. Then, go to work on your lawn’s problem areas. You will be surprised how far $100 goes when it comes to giving new life to a limp, lackluster lawn.
Patch your sidewalks and driveway
Don’t let a tiny crack turn into a costly repair job. Concrete and asphalt patching sealant is cheap and easy to use. Just load up a caulking gun and go to work. A bit of you time and money today prevents a major repair bill tomorrow. Rating: E for easy, and S for smart!
Build a compost bin
This DIY job is easier than it sounds. All you need to do is build a wooden structure several feet high that is non-airtight. Place all your organic food waste, lawn clippings and leaves in it on a regular basis. Nature does the rest.
Install decorative landscape lights
Buy a half-dozen or more landscape lights at your local home store and get creative. These are easy to install, require no backbreaking labor, and look great.
Mail call! (Upgrade a boring mailbox)
Buy, or make, a new mailbox, complete with brass lettering and bright colors. This can be a fun project for the whole family and need not cost more than $50.
Easy projects are both fun and functional. Let your creative spirit run free with the items listed and maybe you’ll end up doing all seven of them! Be safe and enjoy these DIY projects.