If you’ve been spending more time at home lately, or if you’re thinking about selling your home soon, you might be considering taking on some DIY home repairs. Making minor home improvements can definitely add value to your home, particularly if you save on expenses and do them yourself. But not all home fixes are worth tackling solo.
Your Guide to DIY Home Repairs & Improvements
Even if you’re fairly handy, there are some improvements that really should be left to a professional. If, for example, the work is dangerous or could severely damage your home, it’s probably not a great DIY home repair. If it requires a permit (or you’re not sure), it might be worth investigating before you pick up the hammer.
Here are the improvements you can DIY… and which you should contract out.
DIY: Painting interior walls or decking
Painting is an easy project that just about anybody can tackle in a weekend, no expertise required. Be sure to cover exposed surfaces (like floors, furniture, or heating vents) to prevent drips, and make sure you have the right tools for the job. A paint roller, paintbrush, and paint tray are essentials.
When choosing colors, it’s always best to stick with neutrals as much as possible. Greys, beiges, and light pastels are easy to match with a variety of furniture and decor. This is especially important if you’re thinking of selling soon.
Pro: Painting the exterior
Exterior painting is a big job—and a detailed one. It also has a large safety element, since ladders are a necessity. Additionally, professional painters have the tools to get the job done neatly, efficiently, and safely.
DIY: Installing shelving
Installing shelves might require some measuring, drilling, or hammering, but for the most part, it’s a fairly straightforward project that typically can’t cause too much damage to your home or yourself. Buying prebuilt shelving, like a closet organizer, can make the job easy enough for even novice DIY-ers.
Pro: Installing a ceiling fan
While not a terribly difficult job, installing a ceiling fan can be time-consuming, and does have an electrical component. Additionally, the work is done primarily on a ladder, and, depending on how your home is laid out, might require working in an attic or crawl space. This installation could be attempted by a more experienced DIY-er, but probably isn’t a great choice for a beginner.
DIY: Replacing bathroom or kitchen hardware
Replacing a bathroom faucet is actually a fairly straightforward job if you follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Just be sure you completely turn off the water to your house, as well as to the faucet, before disconnecting any hoses.
Pro: Removing popcorn ceilings
Popcorn ceilings were quite popular back in the 50s and 60s, but nowadays, many are being replaced with flatter ceiling textures. Removing texturing from a ceiling seems like an easy task, but it actually requires a careful hand to avoid damaging or creating divots in the surface. It also necessitates a lot of ladder usage.
DIY: Fixing a leaky faucet or pipe
Fixing a leaking pipe might be as simple as tightening a slip-nut or replacing a hose. Holes in a drain pipe can be repaired with flexible coupling and a hose clamp. Leaking faucets can be replaced fairly easily, too.
Pro: Adding moulding
While installing crown moulding can be a DIY job (since you likely won’t cause any major damage to your home by attempting it), it’s probably best to hire a pro if you want to ensure your moulding is straight, accurately cut (those corners can be tricky), and ultimately looks its best.
Fixing Up to Sell in New Albany?
Are you making home repairs because you’re thinking about selling your home in the New Albany area? We’d love to help! Contact J. Morris Realty today to learn more about how we can help you get your home looking fantastic, price it competitively, and ultimately list it for top dollar.