Stop Paying Benefits of These 5 Cheap Home Renovations – You’ll Save Thousands

Owning a home can often feel like a never-ending cycle of things breaking, leaking or peeling. When you call a professional to fix these pesky things, you’re not just paying for the materials – you’re paying for his travel time, insurance and expertise. That’s why a 10-minute repair bill usually starts at $150 or more.

The good news is that many of these common problems do not require special skills to fix. As inflation drives up service costs, learning to manage a few basic repairs can save thousands of dollars in your pocket over the years.

Here are five home repairs where the price difference between DIY and a professional is huge, and how you can fix them for under $20.

1. Stop a running toilet

The sound of a constantly running toilet or “ghost flushes” is more than just annoying; it’s a waste of water that silently increases your utility bill. A professional plumber typically charges between $150 and $391 to fix a toilet, mostly because of the small service charge.

The culprit is usually a worn flapper – the rubber seal that lifts when you drive. Over time, chlorine and minerals in the water cause the rubber to curl or rot, breaking the seal.

• Fix: Go to any hardware store and buy a “universal” private flapper for about $6 to $12. Close the water supply valve at the back of the toilet, tap it to drain the tank, and replace the old rubber flapper with a new one. It taps directly into the overflow tube.
• Potential savings: $140+

2. Drain the water slowly

When the bathroom sink or shower begins to drain slowly, the instinct is often to call a plumber or pour strong chemicals down the pipe. A plumber visit for a simple clog can cost anywhere from $191 to $572, while chemical cleaners can damage old pipes over time.

To get rid of hair clogs in sinks and tubs, you don’t need a heavy metal snake. You need a plastic drain cleaning tool, often called a zip-it.

• Fix: Buy a plastic drain rod for less than $7. These are long, flexible plastic strips with retractable bars. Simply slide it down the drain and back up; the barbs catch the clumps of water-reducing hair. It’s ugly but it works well and takes less than five minutes.
• Potential savings: $180+

3. Insert small holes in the drywall

Whether a doorknob is too crooked or a picture frame hanger is pulled out, small holes in drywall are not visible. Hiring a handyman to fix this usually includes a small travel charge, meaning you can pay upwards of $100 for a place that’s usually less than a dime.

• Fix: Buy a drywall repair kit for about $10 to $15. These kits usually come with a small tub of spackle, a putty knife and a sanding pad. For nail pops or screw holes, just press the spackle, let it dry and sand it smooth. For larger holes (up to several inches), look for a mesh patch kit to add structural support.
• Potential savings: $90+

4. Renew dirty or cracked caulk

A seal around your bathtub and sink prevents water from getting behind the walls and causing mold or rot. Over the years, this caulk darkens, cracks or peels. Professional refinishing services can charge between $65 and $300, depending on the size of the tub and the number of old items they need to measure.

• Fix: A tube of high-quality silicone caulk for the bath and kitchen costs about $5 to $12. You’ll also need an inexpensive plastic scraper to remove the old caulk, which usually costs less than $5. The key is patience: Delete everything old caulk and clean the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol before applying new beads.
• Potential savings: $100+

5. Close broken doors

If you see light coming in from the bottom or sides of your exterior doors, you are paying for heating and cooling the space. Replacing weatherstripping is one of the least expensive jobs you can do, yet professionals often charge $130 or more to come out and install it.

• Fix: For door sides, buy a weatherstripping roll of self-adhesive foam for about $7 to $15. Clean the door frame, strip the base and attach it where the door meets the jamb. Under the door, you can buy a sliding or adhesive door sweep for less than $20. These simple additions block drafts instantly.
• Potential savings: $110+ (plus monthly energy savings)

Don’t be afraid to try

Home maintenance does not always require a contractor’s license. By tackling these low-risk, high-reward fixes yourself, you build confidence and keep your budget intact. Start with the project that worries you the most – perhaps a working bathroom – and enjoy the satisfaction of a quiet home and a full wallet.