How to Save Money on Home Repairs (What to DIY vs. When to Hire)

Home repairs are where some of the biggest money-saving opportunities exist — and also where the biggest expensive mistakes happen. A simple faucet repair that takes a plumber 15 minutes costs $150-$250 with the service call. But attempting electrical work you're not qualified for could burn your house down or void your insurance.

The key to saving money on home repairs is knowing which jobs are safe and practical to DIY and which ones genuinely require a professional. This guide breaks down the 15 most common home repairs, tells you the real cost difference between DIY and hiring, and helps you make the right call every time.

The DIY Decision Framework

Before picking up any tools, run every repair through these four questions:

1. Is It Safe?

Some repairs involve systems that can injure or kill you if done wrong — primarily electrical, gas, and structural work. If the repair involves your electrical panel, gas lines, or load-bearing walls, hire a professional. Period. No amount of savings justifies the risk.

2. Do You Need a Permit?

Many repairs legally require a building permit and inspection. Plumbing changes, electrical work beyond simple fixture swaps, structural modifications, and HVAC installations typically require permits. Unpermitted work can create problems when selling your home and may void your homeowner's insurance.

3. Could a Mistake Make It Worse?

Some repairs have a low downside if you mess up — you can always try again. Others have a high downside — a botched plumbing repair can cause thousands in water damage. Assess the worst case before starting.

4. Do You Have the Right Tools?

A repair that's "easy" with the right tools becomes frustrating and time-consuming without them. Factor in tool costs when comparing DIY to hiring. If you'll use the tool again, it's an investment. If it's a one-time purchase, it may tip the math toward hiring.

Repairs You Should Always DIY

These repairs are safe, require basic tools, and save you significant money over hiring.

Fixing a Running Toilet (Save $100-$200)

A running toilet is almost always caused by a worn flapper valve — a $5-$10 rubber part that takes 10 minutes to replace. No tools required beyond your hands. A plumber charges $100-$200 for the same fix, mostly for the service call.

Our step-by-step guide on fixing a running toilet walks you through the entire process.

DIY cost: $5-$10 | Plumber cost: $100-$200

Fixing a Leaky Faucet (Save $100-$200)

Most faucet leaks are caused by worn O-rings, cartridges, or washers — parts that cost $5-$25 and are straightforward to replace with basic tools. The hardest part is identifying your faucet type, which our guide on fixing a leaky faucet covers in detail.

DIY cost: $5-$25 | Plumber cost: $150-$250

Patching Drywall (Save $100-$250)

Small to medium holes (up to 6 inches) in drywall are easy to patch with a $10-$15 repair kit. The technique is simple — apply a patch, cover with joint compound, sand, and paint. Our drywall patching guide covers everything from nail holes to fist-sized damage.

DIY cost: $10-$25 | Handyman cost: $100-$250

Fixing Squeaky Doors (Save $75-$150)

A squeaky door hinge needs lubricant, not a handyman. A can of WD-40 or silicone spray costs $5 and fixes the problem in 60 seconds. See our guide on fixing squeaky doors for the technique.

DIY cost: $5 | Handyman cost: $75-$150

Caulking the Bathtub (Save $100-$200)

Replacing old, moldy caulk around your bathtub is a critical maintenance task that costs about $8 in materials and takes under an hour. A handyman charges $100-$200 for the same work. Our bathtub caulking guide shows you exactly how to get clean, professional-looking lines.

DIY cost: $8-$12 | Handyman cost: $100-$200

Unclogging Drains (Save $100-$300)

Most drain clogs can be cleared with a $3 plunger, a $15-$25 drain snake, or the baking soda and vinegar method. A plumber's minimum service call for a drain clearing is $100-$300. Learn the techniques in our guide on unclogging drains without chemicals.

DIY cost: $0-$25 | Plumber cost: $100-$300

Repairing a Screen Door (Save $50-$100)

A torn window or door screen is an easy fix with a $10-$15 screen repair kit. The entire process takes about 30 minutes. See our screen door repair guide for instructions.

DIY cost: $10-$15 | Handyman cost: $50-$100

Repairs to DIY with Caution

These repairs are doable for most homeowners but have higher stakes if something goes wrong. Watch a video tutorial first and take your time.

Replacing a Light Fixture (Save $75-$200)

Swapping an existing light fixture for a new one is a straightforward job: turn off the breaker, disconnect wires, connect new wires (match colors), mount the fixture. The risk is low as long as you verify the power is off with a voltage tester ($15-$20).

This does NOT extend to adding new circuits, running new wiring, or modifying your electrical panel — those always require an electrician.

DIY cost: Fixture price only | Electrician cost: Fixture + $75-$200 labor

Replacing a Toilet (Save $100-$300)

Swapping an old toilet for a new one is a manageable DIY project. It's heavy (40-60 lbs) and slightly messy, but the plumbing is simple — drain, unbolt, lift off, scrape old wax ring, install new wax ring, set new toilet, bolt down, connect water line. The whole process takes 1-2 hours.

DIY cost: Toilet price + $5 wax ring | Plumber cost: Toilet + $100-$300 labor

Interior Painting (Save $500-$2,000+)

Painting is one of the highest-value DIY projects because professional labor is expensive — $2-$6 per square foot. A room that costs a pro $500-$1,000 can be painted for $50-$100 in materials. The skills are learnable and the results are forgiving.

DIY cost: $50-$100 per room | Painter cost: $500-$1,000 per room

Replacing Caulk and Weather Stripping (Save $100-$300)

Caulking around windows, doors, and trim is a basic maintenance task that improves energy efficiency. Materials cost $15-$30 for an entire house. This is closely related to saving on your heating bill and cooling bill — proper sealing reduces both.

DIY cost: $15-$30 | Handyman cost: $100-$300

Repairs You Should Usually Hire Out

These repairs involve real safety risks, specialized tools, permitting requirements, or high cost if done wrong.

Electrical Panel Work

Anything involving your main electrical panel — adding circuits, upgrading amperage, replacing breakers — requires a licensed electrician. The risk of electrocution, fire, or code violations is too high for DIY. Costs typically run $200-$2,000 depending on the scope, but the safety margin is worth every dollar.

Major Plumbing (Water Heater, Main Line, Sewer)

While you can handle faucets, toilets, and simple drain clogs yourself, major plumbing work like water heater installation, main line repair, or sewer work requires professional expertise and usually a permit. A botched water heater installation risks flooding, gas leaks, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Roof Repairs

Even minor roof work carries significant fall risk, and improper repairs can lead to water damage that costs thousands. If your roof needs more than a simple shingle replacement on a low-slope section, hire a roofer. The cost ($200-$1,000 for most repairs) is justified by the safety and warranty protection.

HVAC Repairs

Air conditioning and heating systems involve refrigerants, electrical components, and gas connections that require specialized knowledge and tools. AC repairs specifically require EPA certification to handle refrigerants. Annual maintenance ($75-$150) from a professional keeps your system running efficiently and catches problems before they become expensive emergencies.

Foundation and Structural Work

Any repair involving load-bearing walls, foundation cracks, or structural modifications requires an engineer's assessment and professional execution. The consequences of getting it wrong are catastrophic and may affect your home's insurability and resale value.

How to Save Money When You Do Hire a Pro

Even when hiring professionals, there are strategies to reduce costs.

Get Three Quotes

Always get at least three written quotes for any job over $200. Prices vary dramatically — we've seen 300% differences between the lowest and highest quote for identical work. Don't automatically choose the cheapest, but use the range to negotiate.

Do the Prep Work Yourself

Many jobs include labor for preparation — moving furniture, clearing access, removing old fixtures. Doing this yourself before the pro arrives reduces their billable hours. Ask what you can do to prepare when scheduling the appointment.

Buy Materials Yourself

For some jobs (painting, tile work, fixture installation), buying materials yourself and having the contractor supply only labor saves 15-25%. Contractors mark up materials, sometimes significantly. Just confirm with them that using your materials won't affect any warranty on their work.

Schedule During Off-Peak Seasons

Contractors are busiest (and most expensive) in spring and summer. Scheduling non-emergency work in late fall or winter often means lower prices, faster scheduling, and more attentive service. Roofers in January, HVAC in spring, and plumbers in November are often 10-20% cheaper.

Ask About Cash Discounts

Some contractors offer 5-10% discounts for cash payment because they avoid credit card processing fees. Always get a receipt regardless of payment method.

Building Your DIY Toolkit

A basic home repair toolkit costs about $100-$150 and covers 80% of common DIY repairs:

• Adjustable wrench and pliers set ($15-$25)
• Screwdriver set — Phillips and flathead ($10-$15)
• Tape measure ($5-$10)
• Level ($10-$15)
• Stud finder ($15-$25)
• Voltage tester ($15-$20)
• Plunger and drain snake ($15-$25)
• Caulk gun and utility knife ($10-$15)
• Putty knife and sandpaper ($8-$12)

These tools pay for themselves after your first or second DIY repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can I realistically save by doing my own home repairs?

The average homeowner who handles basic repairs themselves saves $1,000-$3,000 per year compared to hiring professionals for everything. The biggest savings come from plumbing basics (faucets, toilets, drains), drywall patching, painting, and caulking. Even if you only DIY the "always DIY" category from this article, you'll save $500-$1,500 annually.

What's the most common mistake DIYers make?

The most expensive DIY mistake is starting a project you can't finish, then having to hire a professional to fix your work and complete the job. This often costs more than hiring the pro in the first place. The second most common mistake is not turning off water or power before starting a repair. Always shut off the relevant utility and verify it's off before touching anything.

Should I watch a YouTube tutorial before every repair?

Yes, always. Even experienced DIYers watch tutorials for repairs they haven't done recently. Video tutorials show you the specific steps, common pitfalls, and required tools for your exact repair. Watch at least two different videos to get different perspectives and techniques.

Is hiring a handyman cheaper than a specialist?

For simple repairs — drywall, caulking, fixture installation, minor carpentry — a handyman is typically $50-$100 per hour versus $100-$200+ per hour for a specialist. However, for plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work, always hire a licensed specialist. Handymen may not carry the right insurance or permits for these systems, and their work may not be code-compliant.

Can DIY repairs affect my home insurance?

Unpermitted work can affect insurance claims. If you DIY an electrical repair without a permit and later have a fire, your insurance company may deny the claim. For any repair that typically requires a permit in your jurisdiction, either hire a licensed professional or pull the permit yourself and have the work inspected. For cosmetic repairs like painting, drywall, and caulking, permits are never required.

The Bottom Line

The sweet spot for most homeowners is handling the safe, common repairs yourself while hiring professionals for the dangerous, complex, or permit-required work. This approach saves $1,000-$3,000 per year while keeping your home safe and up to code.

Build your skills gradually. Start with the simplest repairs — changing a toilet flapper, caulking a tub, patching a small hole. As your confidence grows, move to slightly more complex projects. Every repair you learn to do yourself is money in your pocket for the rest of your homeowning life.