Long-Time Homeowners Share List of DIYs Every New Homeowner Should Know

When you own your own home, you typically have one of two options: Learn how to fix some basic things on your own, or save up your money so you can afford to call a handyperson when something goes wrong.  

Fortunately, Threads user @ravenwoodwitches has decided to share a list of the basics that they say every new homeowner should know how to do. “As an old person who’s owned a few fixer-uppers, here are some easy DIY projects I recommend every new homeowner learn to save money,” they began the multi-part post.

The suggestions range from the things you may only need to do a handful of times while you own your home (like fixing your window screens) to those that you’ll need to do more regularly (like cleaning your gutters). 

And while some of these are easy enough to learn how to do after watching a YouTube video or two, others may take a little more skill (and bravery) to accomplish. But, once you master them, it’s likely that you’ll be able to save some money and headaches by handling these tasks on your own.

A Lot of the Suggestions Involved Ongoing Maintenance and General Care

 

 

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The list started with an easy one. “Learn how to replace window screens. The tools and materials are super inexpensive,” the poster wrote. From there, the suggestions veered more into maintenance territory, with a list of things you should learn how to do when it comes to your gutters.

“Inspect gutters and downspouts to make sure rainwater is draining well away from your foundation (prioritize correcting it if not!),” the post said. “Clean gutters and downspout extensions can help keep water out of the basement.” 

Another solid suggestion involved learning how to replace or adjust the float in your toilet to stop it from running. This is a pretty good idea when you consider that Angi says the average plumber visit can run you $180 to $450.

Some Suggestions Involved Making Upgrades

Knowing how to fix the big things when they go wrong is very important, but you can also save a lot of money when you learn how to make simple updates on your own as well. That’s why the Threads user also suggested investing in good painting equipment and learning how to paint, and warned against skipping the prep work. This could save you a lot of money depending on where you live. That’s because HomeGuide estimates that you’ll pay between $2 and $6 per square foot when you hire a pro. That usually adds up to between $1,000 and $4,800 for an interior project. 

Another upgrade suggestion included making changes to your home’s hardwired lighting. “Replacing an existing light fixture is usually pretty straightforward,” they wrote. “That said, always turn off the power at the breaker and use a voltage tester. Every. Time.” Wondering how much this one could save you? According to HomeAdvisor, licensed electricians charge an average of $100 to $350 for labor alone.

Other People Also Added Suggestions

Some other really good suggestions included shopping for replacement parts at a secondhand shop like ReStore and learning how to patch drywall. 

“Do as good a job as you can, but don’t be nuts about it,” yet another person wrote. “Imperfections are normal, especially in older homes. Be safe, follow good standards, and go for it.” That being said, there’s something to be said for understanding your limits and skipping the things that seem outside of your skill set.