Americans spend over $400 billion a year repairing and renovating their homes, and that figure is likely to grow in 2022, according to a report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
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Although improving home value is an important reason for home improvement projects, a recent State of Home Spending report from Angi revealed that lifestyle issues are the primary driver. With many still working from home and spending most of their time there – not to mention opening their homes to family and friends for the first time in two years – the adage that home is where the heart is rings truer than ever.
Whatever your motivation for improving your home, rising prices could stretch your budget beyond the breaking point if you’re not careful. One way to reign in costs is to do the work yourself. While some home improvements are best left to professionals, others make excellent DIY projects for handy – and even not-so-handy – homeowners.
1. Fix Windows Instead of Replacing Them
Estimated cost to DIY: $30
How much it costs for a professional: $653 for weather stripping and exterior caulking
Think some or all of your home’s windows need replacing? Instead of forking over thousands of dollars, try improving the efficiency of the existing windows for far less time and money.
A little insulation goes a long way toward closing any gaps that could be letting in air and increasing your utility bills. Strips of self-stick rubber weather sealing, available at hardware and home-improvement stores, are easy to cut to size and press into place along your window sashes.
Once the