Everything in do-it-yourself home repairs and home improvements, from painting the house to building a deck.

More and more home owners are choosing to do simple home repairs and home improvement jobs themselves. It will not only save you money, but you’ll also get a great sense of achievement and satisfaction, and you’ll probably find working with your hands is a nice way to relieve the stresses of the week. Keeping up a regular home maintenance routine means your home will always look great, and you won’t have to put up with annoying toilets which don’t flush properly, or dangerous broken floor tiles for weeks on end. Dealing with the little repair jobs quickly, and doing them properly, will prevent the problem escalating, and could ultimately save you a substantial repair bill and a lot of inconvenience. There are lots of basic home repairs which are suitable for anyone with a few simple skills and tools. Even larger home improvement projects like designing and building a deck or laying a patio are simpler to do than you might think.

You’ll find plenty of guides online, which cover a vast range of home improvement projects and home repairs you can do yourself. If you choose to hire a professional contractor, don’t be shy about checking up on them first. Check that their license is valid, verify their insurance, and check their record with the Better Business Bureau or a contractor referral service. Don’t be afraid to ask the contractor as many questions as you like about their experience and accreditation.

Home maintenance checklist.

It’s a good idea to have a checklist of regular home repairs and maintenance jobs. You could choose to make it on a yearly or twice yearly basis; perhaps one routine for Spring/Summer and another one for Fall/Winter. Your list will depend on your individual home, the climate in your area, and any potential hazards which are common to your area such as flooding, extreme cold, storms or wildfires. Your list could include things like caulking joints and minor cracks in exterior walls, repairing any damage to bricks or mortar, clearing gutters and installing gutter strainers, clearing leaves and deadwood from around your home, cleaning and sealing the deck and checking for any signs of rotting, and checking smoke detectors.

If you're interested in getting your deck ready for winter you should read this article on winterizing your deck.