In this article, we’ll take you through the best home renovations that require little to no construction supply knowledge. We’ll also cover what to look for when choosing a contractor and how to do the work yourself!
Successfully completing any home improvement project is tough enough, but doing so without breaking a sweat can feel impossible. And while we’re all for self-reliance, sometimes it’s just nice not having to worry about the details of renovations that don’t require building skills. Let’s take a look at some of these projects in detail.
We’ve compiled a list of home renovation projects that will have you moving into your dream space in no time—without ever getting dirty or breaking out your power tools.
Table of Contents
Flooring
Flooring projects always seem to be the trickiest part of any renovation, but they don’t have to be. You can choose from a wide variety of flooring options that offer beauty, durability, and affordability—each without requiring a complete tear-up and starting over. Here are some projects you can do with ease:
– Replace Floorboards: Replacing just the planks in your floorboard is a fantastic way to freshen up an otherwise outdated space. You simply have the boards removed, swap them out for new ones, and then fill in the holes with wood filler and sand it down for a perfectly smooth finish.
– Replace a Tile or Wood Floor: If you’re looking for a more complete renovation, replace your old tile or wood floor with a new, affordable option. And since wood floors are growing in popularity, it’s easier than ever to find pieces that can fit just about any budget.
– Renew Your Carpeting: Carpeting has seen its popularity fall over the years due to high replacement costs and growing concerns about off-gassing, but if your carpet is still in good shape, there are plenty of low-cost options for revamping it.
– Replace Window Tint: If you want to let more light into your house but you’re not a fan of the look of window screens, consider tinted replacement windows. You can get the look of a screen coupled with the benefits of tinted glass.
Landscaping
Landscaping projects can be intimidating, especially when it comes to digging and planting it yourself. With some construction supply, all you need is a shovel and some seed packets. So let’s take a look at the DIY landscape projects you can do yourself:
– Plant Sticks: If all you want to do is add greenery to your yard, you don’t have to call in a landscaping company or get advanced tools. Just plant sticks! This method of landscaping lets you plant your own flowers and plants instead of paying someone else to do it for you. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what’s growing where, as well as control over the size and shape of your yard.
– Create a Fire Pit: If you want to warm your backyard up for movie night or just need an open space for gathering, consider creating a fire pit. There are pre-made fire pits available that you can set up in under an hour, but if you’re looking for something a little more customized, consider getting blocks and building it yourself.
– Plant a Tree: While it’s true that planting trees require some digging and knowledge about the best places to put them, with some tools and the right information you can do it yourself. By planting a tree in your yard, you’ll have shade in full sun areas or color in shade areas—all while adding character to your home.
– Create a Rock Garden: Creating a rock garden requires little more than a shovel and patience, but the effect you’re able to achieve will be fantastic. Whether you’ve got an existing rock or rock-like surface or just need to fill in gaps in your yard, digging up some soil and planting is all it takes to bring the outdoors in.
– Plant Flowers: If you’re looking for ease of use over aesthetic appeal, consider planting flowers instead of trees. There’s so much that gets done with flowers that it’s easy to see why they make such an attractive choice for landscaping projects. Plus, you can choose from just about any type of flower and variety when it comes time to transplant them into the garden.
– Decorate with Rocks: If you want to up the homey feel of your yard but aren’t a fan of flowers, consider adding some rocks. Rocks can be planted and arranged in a variety of ways to achieve styles ranging from rustic to modern. And even if you decide to do it yourself, construction supply are still needed for this upgrade.
– Install a Rock Wall: If you’re looking at creating the perfect outdoor space for you and your family, consider installing a rock wall. These walls can be placed along walkways or at the edge of yards for protection from debris. They’re also a fantastic way to make use of unused space.
Handyman Projects
Here are some handyman projects you can do yourself:
– Install a New Door: There’s nothing like a brand new door to brighten up your home, but installing one is an undertaking that requires more than just a hammer and pry bar. Instead of being turned away by the expense, this project is actually quite affordable. You can get a new door installed at little more than half of what you’d pay from the company who sells them.
– Install a Curtain Rod: There’s nothing special about curtain rods, but you can use them to create a variety of looks in your home. And if they’re installed properly, you can get them done for the same price as most curtain rods from high-end stores.
– Install Window Treatments: There are countless ways you can decorate your home with window treatments, but don’t let that keep you from getting them installed yourself. You don’t need to spend hours researching different options or hiring the right person for the job. You just need a basic screwdriver and other simple tools that are easy to come by at any hardware store.
– Swap Out Light Fixtures: If you’re looking to add some personality to your home without spending much money, consider swapping out light fixtures. There are tons of light choices available for purchase online, but be sure that the ones you want will actually fit into the space available.
– Install a New Ceiling Fan: Ceiling fans can be installed in just a couple hours, and even better, they can be done for less than half of what you’d pay someone else. This is a do-it-yourself project that even beginners can accomplish with ease.
– Install a Shower System: It’s often hard to find something that’ll make bathing more comfortable than installing a shower system. And if you do it yourself, you can install a system for between 50 and 80 percent less than what a professional would charge.
– Install Shower Tile: If you’re looking to add style and elegance to your bathroom, consider installing shower tile. It’s very simple to install and doesn’t cost very much. That means you can get a durable shower upgrade without breaking the bank.
– Install a Toilet Seat: You don’t need to be a plumber or handyman to install a toilet seat. You just need simple tools (which can be found at virtually any hardware store) and about 20 minutes of time. And the best part is that you’ll pay about half of what you’d pay for the same toilet seat at your local home improvement store.
– Install Storm Door Weather Stripping: Many people are surprised to learn that they can adjust their door’s weatherstripping without hiring someone else, but it’s actually quite easy to do. All you need is some tape and you’ll have your door weather stripping back in no time.
– Repair a Frozen Door: When your door sticks or doesn’t work properly, it can often be attributed to issues with the weather stripping. And repairing these issues is very simple, as long as you don’t mind doing some basic repairs.
– Install a Shower Head: Installing a new shower head is a great way to upgrade your bathroom without having to spend an arm and leg. It’s also something that you can do yourself in about 30 minutes. In fact, most of what you’ll need can be purchased at any home improvement or construction supply store.
– Fix a Leaky Toilet: If you’ve got a leaky toilet that is wasting water, it’s time to fix it as soon as possible. And while many people might assume this is a major ordeal, it’s actually pretty easy. You’ll need nothing more than some basic plumbing tools and perhaps a new wax ring for the tank.
– Install an Air Vent: Installing a wall or floor vent is an easy job that you can do yourself in just about 20 minutes. All you’ll need are your measuring tools and an electric drill. You’ll also want to make sure that there is at least 1/4 inch clearance on both sides of the flange for proper airflow.
– Maintain an Attic Fan: Fans are great for a number of reasons, but one of the best things about them is how easy they are to maintain. All you have to do is change the air filter and keep your attic vent clean. This will have a huge impact on your energy bills.
Kitchen Upgrades
Here are some kitchen upgrades you can do yourself:
– Install a New Faucet: If you’re looking for an easy way to update your kitchen look without breaking the bank, consider installing new faucets instead of hiring someone else to do it. These projects can be done quite easily, and you can even get kits that come with all the right parts.
– Install a New Range Hood or Fan: Your ventilation system is an important part of your cooking experience, so do it some justice by installing a new ventilation system. You can choose from a variety of fans and hoods that’ll fit into just about any kitchen.
– Install a Garbage Disposal: If there’s anything worse than an underpowered garbage disposal, it’s no garbage disposal at all. Install one yourself and you won’t have to worry about kitchen smell or leaks for years to come.
– Install a Kitchen Sink: Maybe you’d prefer to install a kitchen sink yourself, especially for projects that don’t involve replacing the entire countertop. You can get sink upgrades for just about any type of kitchen and aren’t hard to install—as long as you’ve got the right tools.
– Install a New or Refinished Countertop: Kitchen countertops are another one of those upgrades that don’t require much more than basic tools, but they can make all the difference in your kitchen’s functionality. And if you’re looking for something to refresh your current countertop without having to replace it completely, consider refinishing it instead of replacing it with a new one.
– Install a Refrigerator: Just like your kitchen countertop, your refrigerator can add significant functionality to your kitchen. You’ll want to make sure that you choose a freezer that’s the right size for the space you have available so that it doesn’t look cramped. And if you’re planning to buy one instead of installing one yourself, check out our tips for installing a new refrigerator.
– Install Kitchen Cabinets: If you’re looking at replacing an entire piece of kitchen cabinets, there are plenty of companies (like Universal) that’ll replace them for free to make you feel more comfortable. Otherwise, just consider upgrading with something more durable or stylish—it’s easy and won’t cost much money at all.
– Change Countertops: It’s easy to replace your countertop with something new and modern, but be careful of the mess you’ll make. You’ll need to remove your existing countertop first, which is a task that requires some basic tools. After that, you can choose to hire someone for help or do it yourself.
– Install Cabinet Shelves: Cabinets are great for more than just storing food—they’re also good for storing things like dishes and appliances. But if you’d like somewhere to store your plates that isn’t in the way, consider installing new cabinetry shelves. These are easy projects that anyone can do themselves in about 30 minutes or less.
– Build a Kitchen Island: If you’re looking to turn your kitchen into more of the social space, consider building a kitchen island. You can choose from a variety of styles, sizes and even materials for these islands. But even if you make a mistake or want to change something later, it’s an easy item to remove and replace.
– Install Under Cabinet Lighting: If you’re looking for an easy way to add some interest to your kitchen without spending much money, consider installing under cabinet lighting. This is a project that can be completed in less than an hour by anyone who’s willing to do it. Best of all, this is something that you can continue adding to over time if you want more lighting in your kitchen.
– Upgrade Your Kitchen Faucet: Whether you want to add some style or functionality, you can upgrade your kitchen faucet without spending a ton of money. You can choose from a variety of kits that are easy to install and won’t cost you much more than $100.
– Install a Dishwasher: Installing a new dishwasher in your kitchen is one of the most affordable DIY upgrades that you can make. Just be sure to measure the height of the opening and the length of your subfloor so that it will fit properly. You’ll also want to make sure that it’s level before installing it.
To summarize, there are many projects you can do yourself that will have a big impact on the look of your home without breaking the bank. And as you can see, very little is required for most of these projects.