By: Oliver Marks
Published: March 8, 2011
Doing home improvement jobs yourself can be a smart way to save money, but choose the right DIY projects or you´ll end up paying dearly.
Why pay someone to do something you can do yourself? Because sometimes doing it yourself costs more than it saves.
More than 100,000 people injure themselves each year doing home improvement jobs. So add medical bills to your DYI budget, and you ending up spending the same, or more, than if you hired a pro.
We´re not suggesting that you call a plumber each time you need to plunge a toilet. But think twice about what DYI might really cost you. Here´s how to decide.
Stick to routine maintenance for savings and safety
Seasonal home maintenance is ideal work for the weekend warrior because you can tackle these jobs when your schedule permits. Because these are routine maintenance projects, your savings will add up. Mowing your own lawn, for example, saves $55 to $65 a week for a half-acre lawn. The bigger the lot, the bigger the savings: with two acres, you´ll pocket around $150 per week.
When it pays:
- Snow removal
- Pruning shrubs
- Washing windows (be careful on that ladder)
- Sealing decks
- Painting fences
- Fertilizing lawns
- Replacing air conditioner filters
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