Five Home Renovations You Should Do Yourself

You can add value and get more enjoyment from your home by renovating and updating things, but the costs of hiring a handyman or contractor to complete the renovations can add up quickly. While some repair jobs require a professional , there are many tasks you can do yourself. Here are the best DIY home improvements you can make that are definitely worth the extra effort.

Hang your wallpaper

Adding wallpaper is a DIY-friendly update. Since wallpaper costs between $1.35 and $8 per square foot and doesn’t require many tools, it’s a good choice for a DIY project that will definitely save you money. Hiring a professional to wallpaper will add between $1 and $7 per square foot, so you can cut your costs by about 40% by doing it yourself.

Update your outlets and fixtures

Updating outlets, switches and light fixtures is a job you can do yourself if your home wiring is up to date. Be sure to turn off the power before beginning any of these projects, and always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions to complete the installation safely. New light switches cost between $2.50 and $38 each, depending on the type; new outlets cost between $1.50 and $40 depending on the type. Fixtures that are ready to plug into your home can cost anywhere from $10 to $250 on average. If you hire a professional, updating your outlets and switches will typically cost between $65 and $125 per job in addition to the cost of new equipment, while replacing a light fixture will cost between $75 and $150 per fixture, not including cost. devices.

Install a smart thermostat

If you have a central HVAC system with an analog thermostat, upgrading to a smart thermostat is a project you can probably complete yourself in less than an hour. Installing a smart thermostat yourself can also help you save on your energy bills. Smart thermostats range from $15 to $250; If you hire a professional, installation will typically cost between $140 and $350. Doing the job yourself can save you over a hundred dollars and won’t take much time.

Do your yard work

Doing your own yard and landscaping work can lead to big savings, plus it’s good for you. The exercise you get from gardening is a good way to lower your blood pressure and burn calories while doing something that will enhance your home’s curb appeal. Since landscapers cost an average of about $75 per hour, spending some time making your yard look beautiful can save you a lot of money in just a few hours.

Paint the room

Painting a room or multiple rooms yourself is a project you can do yourself to save money on renovations. While larger painting jobs (and exterior painting) are usually best left to professionals unless you have a lot of experience, interior painting can be done yourself. You should be sure to factor in prep and cleanup time when estimating the time for this job, since painting typically takes less time than prep, but you can save $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot by doing the painting yourself. .