12 home repairs you’re wasting money on that you could DIY
Homeowners are quietly overspending hundreds, sometimes thousands, on routine repairs that are far simpler and cheaper to do themselves.
Owning a home often feels like a never-ending cycle of things breaking down and needing attention, which drains your wallet faster than you can refill it. You might think calling a professional is the only way to handle these issues, but you are likely wasting money on simple fixes. Many of these tasks require no special skills and can be completed before you even finish waiting on hold to book a contractor.
Taking the DIY route gives you a sense of pride and keeps your hard-earned money in your bank account where it belongs. Stop paying premium prices for labor when all you really need is a screwdriver, a little patience, and maybe a quick video tutorial. Here are 12 home repairs you should stop outsourcing immediately to start saving big.
Swapping HVAC Air Filters
Your heating and cooling system works much harder when it is trying to pull air through a thick layer of dust and pet dander. Replacing these filters is arguably the easiest home maintenance task you can do and requires absolutely no tools. Slide the old cardboard frame out, check the size printed on the side, and slide the new one in.
Service companies often charge a premium for this during routine visits, sometimes marking up the filter price. Keeping that extra cash is a no-brainer, since the entire process takes less than 60 seconds.
Unclogging A Sink Drain
Most clogged drains are caused by hair or soap buildup near the surface, yet people panic and call a plumber immediately. You can easily clear these blockages yourself with a simple plastic snake tool that costs less than a fancy coffee. Chemical drain cleaners are harsh on pipes, so manually removing the blockage is safer and more effective once the water flows freely again.
Professional drain cleaning can be costly for something that takes ten minutes of effort. Hiring a professional to snake a drain typically costs between $100 and $300. That is a steep price to pay for pulling a hairball out of the bathroom sink when you could do it for free.
Interior Room Painting
Transforming a room with a fresh coat of paint is the most impactful change you can make without doing a full renovation. While pros do a great job, you are mostly paying for their time rather than any secret technique. With some painter’s tape and a steady hand, you can achieve professional-looking results that brighten up your living space.
The markup on labor for painting is high because it is time-intensive rather than difficult. That 1 Painter reports that professional labor for a single room ranges from $300 to $800, depending on the size. You could paint the entire room yourself for a fraction of that cost by just buying the paint and supplies.
Repairing A Leaky Faucet
The constant drip of a leaky faucet is enough to drive anyone crazy, but the fix is usually just a tiny rubber washer. Most modern faucets are designed to be easily disassembled with a basic wrench, allowing you to replace worn internal parts. Turn off the water supply under the sink, unscrew the handle, and replace the cartridge or washer causing the issue.
Plumbers must charge for travel and minimum hours, so a five-dollar part can end up costing you a fortune in labor fees. A ConsumerAffairs study found that the average cost to repair a leaky faucet professionally is about $275. Doing this yourself saves you hundreds of dollars and stops that annoying water torture sound instantly.
Upgrading To Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are effective for saving energy, yet many people are intimidated by the wiring and end up paying for installation. Most of these devices come with clearly labeled stickers and a step-by-step app that guides you through every single wire connection. You basically match the letter on the wire to the letter on the new wall plate.
There is rarely a need for an electrician unless your system is ancient or has non-standard wiring. Installation services can charge hundreds of dollars to mount the unit and connect a few low-voltage wires. You can pocket that money and let the thermostat pay for itself through lower heating and cooling bills.
Clearing Out Rain Gutters
Leaves and debris clog your gutters every fall, increasing the risk of water damage if they aren’t cleaned. All you really need is a sturdy ladder, a pair of work gloves, and a bucket to collect the muck. It is a messy job, but it is straightforward and doesn’t require any technical knowledge about home construction.
Paying someone else to climb the ladder is tempting, but the rates for this seasonal chore are surprisingly high. Window Hero states that professional gutter cleaning services typically cost between $150 and $300 for an average home. That is a lot of money to pay someone to scoop leaves from a metal trough.
Patching Holes In Drywall
Accidents happen, and doorknobs often punch holes in walls that look terrible but are structurally harmless. You can buy a simple patch kit at any hardware store that includes everything you need to restore the wall to its original appearance. The process involves affixing a mesh patch over the hole, applying a compound, and sanding it smooth once it dries.
Contractors often have minimum job charges, so calling one for a small hole is not financially savvy. You can fix it yourself for less than twenty bucks and feel like a master builder.
Fixing A Running Toilet
A toilet that won’t stop running is usually caused by a flapper that has warped or decayed over time. Replacing a flapper is incredibly easy and requires no tools; simply unclip the old one and clip in the new one. You don’t even need to turn off the water to the whole house, just the valve right behind the toilet.
Plumbers encounter this issue frequently and must charge their standard hourly rate for a job that takes two minutes. According to GoPro Plumbing, the average cost of a professional toilet repair in 2025 is approximately $271. A new flapper costs about five dollars, making this one of the most cost-effective DIY repairs possible.
Replacing Entry Door Locks
Changing your locks is smart when you move into a new place, but you don’t need a locksmith for standard doors. Home improvement stores sell complete locksets that fit standard pre-drilled holes and require only two screws. It is as simple as sliding the new mechanism in and tightening it down with a screwdriver.
Locksmiths provide a valuable service for emergencies, but for a planned replacement, their fees are unnecessary. You can swap out every lock in your house in an hour and keep that labor money in your pocket.
Sealing Drafty Windows
Drafty windows let your expensive heated or cooled air escape, but fixing them is a breeze with a caulk gun. Applying a fresh bead of caulk around your window frames seals gaps and immediately reduces energy waste. It is a forgiving task because if you miss a line, you can wipe it away and try again.
Professional window sealing is expensive due to the time required to prepare and apply the sealant to each window. Kettle Contracting reveals that professional caulking services can cost between $200 and $800 for a full home. You can buy a tube of high-quality silicone caulk for under $10 and achieve the same energy savings.
Installing A New Showerhead
Old showerheads can become clogged with mineral deposits or look outdated, reducing the bathroom’s overall appearance. Unscrewing the old head and screwing on a shiny new one is easier than changing a lightbulb. You might need a pair of pliers to remove the old one, but the new one usually goes on hand-tight.
There is no reason to pay a plumber to come out for such a simple cosmetic upgrade. Save that cash for a nice dinner and enjoy your better water pressure knowing you did it yourself.
Swapping Light Fixtures
Boob lights and outdated chandeliers date your home, but replacing them is standard electrical work you can safely do. As long as you flip the breaker switch to cut the power, connecting the black and white wires is very straightforward. Most new fixtures include a mounting bracket that fits directly onto your existing ceiling box.
Electricians are highly skilled tradespeople who charge high rates, which makes sense for rewiring a house but not for swapping a fixture. Installing a single light fixture often costs hundreds of dollars in labor. You can buy a designer fixture for that price and install it yourself in under an hour.
15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love
The 15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love
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This piece explores 15 unique gestures women make when they’re in love. From tiny, almost invisible actions to grand declarations, each tells a story of deep affection and unwavering commitment.
