15 DIY Home Repairs That'll Save You Hundreds in 2025 (And When to Call a Pro)

Let's be honest – calling a handyman for every little thing gets expensive fast. As Atlanta's trusted handyman service, we believe in empowering homeowners with the knowledge to tackle simple repairs themselves. Here are 15 DIY fixes that can save you serious money, plus our honest advice on when it's time to call in the pros.

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1. Fix a Running Toilet ⏱️ 15 minutes Easy

A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. That's money literally going down the drain!

What You'll Need:

  • New flapper valve ($5-10 at any hardware store)
  • Your hands (no tools required!)

Step-by-Step:

  1. Turn off the water supply valve behind the toilet
  2. Flush to empty the tank
  3. Unhook the old flapper from the chain
  4. Install the new flapper
  5. Turn water back on and test
💰 DIY Cost: $10 | Professional Cost: $150-200 | You Save: $140+
⚠️ Call a pro if: The toilet continues running after replacing the flapper, or if you notice cracks in the tank or bowl.

2. Stop a Leaky Faucet ⏱️ 30 minutes Easy

That annoying drip isn't just keeping you awake – it's wasting up to 3,000 gallons per year.

What You'll Need:

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Screwdriver
  • Replacement washers or O-rings ($2-5)
  • Plumber's grease

Step-by-Step:

  1. Turn off water supply under the sink
  2. Remove the faucet handle (usually a screw under decorative cap)
  3. Use wrench to remove the packing nut
  4. Replace the washer or O-ring
  5. Apply plumber's grease and reassemble
💰 DIY Cost: $5 | Professional Cost: $150-250 | You Save: $145+
💡 Pro Tip: Take the old washer to the hardware store to ensure you get the exact size replacement.

3. Unclog a Drain ⏱️ 20 minutes Easy

Before calling a plumber, try these simple methods that work 90% of the time.

What You'll Need:

  • Plunger ($10-15)
  • Baking soda and vinegar
  • Hot water
  • Drain snake (optional, $20-30)

Step-by-Step:

  1. Try the plunger first – ensure there's water covering the plunger cup
  2. If that fails, pour 1 cup baking soda, then 1 cup vinegar down the drain
  3. Cover drain and wait 30 minutes
  4. Flush with hot water
  5. For stubborn clogs, use a drain snake
💰 DIY Cost: $0-30 | Professional Cost: $200-300 | You Save: $170+
⚠️ Call a pro if: Multiple drains are backing up (indicates main line issue) or if water is backing up into other fixtures.

4. Silence Squeaky Door Hinges ⏱️ 5 minutes Easy

Stop that horror movie soundtrack with this 5-minute fix.

What You'll Need:

  • WD-40 or silicone spray ($5)
  • Paper towels
  • Hammer and nail (if removing hinge pin)

Step-by-Step:

  1. Open door fully to access hinges
  2. Spray lubricant on each hinge while moving door back and forth
  3. For persistent squeaks, remove hinge pin, clean, lubricate, and reinstall
  4. Wipe excess lubricant
💰 DIY Cost: $5 | Professional Cost: $75-100 | You Save: $70+

5. Patch Small Drywall Holes ⏱️ 45 minutes Medium

From picture hanging mishaps to doorknob disasters, small holes are easy to fix.

What You'll Need:

  • Spackling compound ($5-10)
  • Putty knife
  • Fine-grit sandpaper
  • Primer and paint
  • For larger holes: Drywall patch kit ($10-15)

Step-by-Step (for nail holes):

  1. Clean the hole of any loose debris
  2. Apply spackling compound with putty knife
  3. Smooth and let dry (2-4 hours)
  4. Sand smooth with fine-grit sandpaper
  5. Prime and paint to match wall
💰 DIY Cost: $15 | Professional Cost: $150-250 | You Save: $135+
🔨 DIY Tip: For holes larger than 3 inches, you'll need a drywall patch. Consider calling us for holes larger than 6 inches – our drywall repair service ensures a seamless finish.

6. Fix a Sticky Door ⏱️ 30 minutes Medium

Doors stick due to humidity, settling, or loose hinges. Here's how to fix them.

What You'll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Sandpaper or plane
  • Pencil
  • Wood shims (if needed)

Step-by-Step:

  1. Tighten all hinge screws first (often solves the problem)
  2. If still sticking, close door and mark where it sticks with pencil
  3. Remove door from hinges
  4. Sand or plane the marked areas
  5. Rehang and test
💰 DIY Cost: $0-20 | Professional Cost: $150-300 | You Save: $130+

7. Tighten Loose Cabinet Handles ⏱️ 10 minutes Easy

Wobbly cabinet hardware is annoying and can damage your cabinets over time.

What You'll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Replacement screws (if stripped)
  • Wood glue and toothpicks (for stripped holes)

Step-by-Step:

  1. Simply tighten the screws from inside the cabinet
  2. For stripped holes: Remove screw, fill hole with wood glue and toothpicks
  3. Let dry, break off excess toothpicks
  4. Drill pilot hole and reinstall screw
💰 DIY Cost: $0-5 | Professional Cost: $75-100 | You Save: $70+

8. Re-caulk Your Bathtub ⏱️ 1 hour Medium

Old caulk can lead to water damage and mold. Fresh caulk prevents expensive repairs later.

What You'll Need:

  • Caulk remover tool or putty knife
  • Bathroom caulk ($5-10)
  • Caulk gun ($10)
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Masking tape

Step-by-Step:

  1. Remove old caulk completely
  2. Clean area with rubbing alcohol
  3. Apply masking tape for clean lines
  4. Apply new caulk in steady, continuous bead
  5. Smooth with finger, remove tape immediately
  6. Let cure 24 hours before using shower
💰 DIY Cost: $20 | Professional Cost: $200-500 | You Save: $180+

Need Professional Help?

Some repairs are best left to the pros. If you're dealing with electrical issues, major plumbing problems, or just don't have the time, we're here to help.

Get Your Free Estimate

9. Replace HVAC Air Filters ⏱️ 5 minutes Easy

Clean filters improve air quality and reduce energy bills by up to 15%.

💰 DIY Cost: $20 | Professional Cost: $75 | You Save: $55
💡 Pro Tip: Set a phone reminder to change filters every 1-3 months depending on usage and pets.

10. Reset GFCI Outlets ⏱️ 2 minutes Easy

No power in bathroom or kitchen outlets? Try this before calling an electrician.

How-To:

Simply press the "RESET" button on the GFCI outlet. If it won't stay reset, you may have a ground fault that needs professional attention.

⚠️ Safety First: Never work on electrical issues if you're not 100% confident. Electrical work can be dangerous – call us for electrical repairs.

11. Adjust Door Closers ⏱️ 10 minutes Easy

Storm doors slamming? Adjust the closer tension with a simple screwdriver.

💰 DIY Cost: $0 | Professional Cost: $75 | You Save: $75

12. Replace a Toilet Seat ⏱️ 15 minutes Easy

A wobbly or cracked toilet seat is an easy fix anyone can handle.

💰 DIY Cost: $20-50 | Professional Cost: $100-150 | You Save: $80+

13. Install Weather Stripping ⏱️ 30 minutes Easy

Save up to 20% on energy bills by sealing drafty doors and windows.

💰 DIY Cost: $20 | Professional Cost: $150 | You Save: $130

14. Fix Beeping Smoke Detectors ⏱️ 5 minutes Easy

That 3 AM chirping is usually just a low battery. Keep 9V batteries on hand.

💰 DIY Cost: $5 | Professional Cost: $75 | You Save: $70

15. Reset Garbage Disposal ⏱️ 5 minutes Easy

Disposal humming but not working? Hit the reset button on the bottom of the unit.

Quick Fix:

  1. Turn off disposal and unplug it
  2. Press red reset button on bottom of unit
  3. Use Allen wrench in bottom center to manually turn blades
  4. Remove any visible obstructions
  5. Test with water running
💰 DIY Cost: $0 | Professional Cost: $150-200 | You Save: $150+

The Bottom Line: Know Your Limits

These 15 repairs can save you over $2,000 if you do them yourself. But here's our honest advice as Atlanta's trusted handyman service:

✅ Definitely DIY:

🚫 Call a Professional For:

Save This Guide!

Bookmark this page for when you need it. And remember, when a repair is beyond DIY, Atlanta Best Handyman is just a call away.

📞 (470) 552-5382

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