Are you interested in low cost DIY projects that will boost your home’s value?
Whether you are looking to sell or just want to enjoy a more polished space, this guide has you covered. We’ll go over projects like…
- Upgrading your front door with a smart lock
- Soft-close cabinet hinges that cut out the noise
- Sealing your air ducts for energy efficiency and comfort
- Practical additions like USB outlets and under sink water filters
Let’s explore these 16 budget-friendly DIY projects that pack a punch!
DIY Project #1: Smart Front Door Deadbolt
A smart front door deadbolt is perhaps one of the cheapest and easiest ways to make your home more accessible and safe.
These smart deadbolts are an easy DIY project that can be installed within an hour. It allows homeowners to lock their front door with the push of a button and allows custom door codes for multiple people at once.
Smart deadbolts may be programmed to automatically lock after you close the door with a timer of 10-99 seconds. You will be able to give contractors or delivery people one-time codes that instantly get deleted after use.
It’s essential to verify that your front door lock has a deadbolt to be compatible and that the hole size is the same. Worst case, the hole will need to be widened with a hole saw drill bit. Smart front door deadbolts can be purchased for as low as $35 but the higher quality ones are in the $60 to $90 range.
DIY Project #2: Accent Walls
An accent wall or feature wall is a great way to style a room for less than $200.
Hands down, THE most talked about accent wall in social media is the wood slat accent wall. Wall slat feature walls add a nice organic and modern feel to any room.
Behind the wood slats, the wall is typically painted a darker color for a nice contrast with the wood. The wood slats look good as a natural wood color or stained a richer color like dark walnut, mahogany, or black.
Wood slat panels can be installed by cutting inexpensive plywood or pine boards into strips, and nailing them onto the wall with brad nails. You can also purchase pre-fabricated wood slat panels for less than $200 online for a 4-foot wide section.
There are numerous other ways to make an accent wall with a small budget:
- Paint Colors: Simply painting the wall with a single bold color or a multi-color design using blue painters tape and a plumb level tool will make a room stand out.
- LED Lights: Adding an LED light strip that is recessed into a custom baseboard reflected upwards creates a nice ambiance.
- Removable Wall Paper: Just installing wall paper can make a living room pop and bring it to life.
- Custom Wall Molding: Create custom designs with trimwork that’s installed onto the wall to create a fantastic appearance.
There are an almost limitless number of wall designs that will transform your living room, office, or bedroom really shine.
DIY Project #3: New Outlets (USB and Night Lights)
Outlets are usually an afterthought when sellers put their homes on the market, but small things definitely add up.
I frequently inspect homes with outdated electrical systems with old and discolored outlets. Common issues include loose outlets that shake around, scorch marks, and ungrounded outlets.
If you’re comfortable with DIY electrical work, learning how to wire an outlet and add it to an existing circuit can be a valuable skill.
Outlets are actually dirt cheap, a pack of 30 new outlets go for around $25 online. Of course, the main cost will be the labor if you hire an electrician, but if you have the DIY skill to install them yourself — it will save a lot of money and boost your home’s value.
USB and Night Lights
Installing a few strategically placed outlets with USB connectors in the kitchen, bathrooms, or living room can add a nice touch. Outlets with LED night lights can be a very functional DIY project for kid’s rooms, hallways, and bathrooms. USB outlets and LED outlets can be purchased for around $10 to $20 each.
Most counties and cities do not require a permit to replace an existing outlet, but I recommend checking with your building department and to verify that the project aligns with local electrical code.
If you don’t want to install new outlets, just installing new outlet plates (covers) can make a big aesthetic difference — though it may look weird if the outlet prongs are discolored.
DIY Project #4: Soft-Close Cabinet Hinges
Soft or slow close cabinet doors are all the rage.
The majority of homes that I inspect have soft-close cabinet doors — especially in the kitchen. If you have a screwdriver and a bit of DIY skill, changing out the cabinet door hinges is a great way to subtly upgrade your kitchen or bathrooms.
There is nothing more annoying than the loud bang of cabinet doors and it’s a small thing that can turn people (or buyers) off. In addition, slow close cabinets will help protect the paint of your cabinets and the frames from accidental damage.
A pack of 20 slow close hinges can be bought for less than $30.
Try to buy slow close hinges that will fit exactly the same type of existing cabinet hinges to make them easier to install — and new holes won’t need to be drilled.
Project #5: Interior Door Knobs
The devil is in the details, and upgrading your interior door knobs to a uniform and modern style is a simple DIY project that anyone can do. The only tools needed are a screwdriver or preferably a cordless drill.
I am partial to door handles which gives a more contemporary look, but modern round knobs can also look great. The most popular colors are satin nickel, matte black, but even satin brass can work.
Ideally, you want to coordinate the style of your door knobs with light fixtures and cabinet handles if at all possible.
The average cost for new interior door handles is around $10 to $20 a piece. A pack of 5 door handles can easily be bought online for less than $60. New door handles typically come with latch bolts and strike plates for a complete replacement.
You may also want to consider installing new door hinges to match. Door hinges can be purchased online as a 10-pack for around $15 ($1.50 a piece).
DIY Project #6: Bathroom Fan Timer Switches
Bathroom fans are commonly left on, needlessly draining electricity.
On the flip side, bath fans don’t get used enough, and turn off too quickly before all the moisture is removed. Most people don’t know that a bath fan is supposed to be left on at least 15-minutes after you take a shower or bath.
Excess bathroom moisture leads to mold growth and damaged drywall. High moisture will even generate rust on cabinet hardware, water lines, and light fixtures.
Bathroom fan timer switches provide a great way to control exhaust fan usage.
A timer switch is a relatively easy to install for DIY enthusiasts and typically have a 5-min to 60-min range of timer options.
I definitely recommend determining if your existing bath fan switch has a neutral wire. Newer bath fans typically have a neutral and some timer switches won’t work unless it supports a neutral wire.
Likewise, a bath fan with a light, heater, or other advanced features may have more complex wiring and require a multi-function timer switch.
I recommend verifying the wiring prior to purchasing a new switch. Always shut off power to your bathroom or home at the breaker box before removing an outlet.
DIY Project #7: Under Sink Kitchen Water Filter
Under sink water filters are a great DIY project to improve the taste and quality of your drinking water.
The two most common types of filters are reverse osmosis and carbon block.
The reverse osmosis filter is the gold standard for home water filtration and it removes the most impurities but it’s the most expensive.
Carbon block filters tend to be the cheapest type of filter but will be very effective at removing chlorine and a broad range of particulates.
Most standard filters are multi-stage and use different materials to clean the water and can also remove heavy metals, chemical impurities, and sediment.
Point-of-use water filters are relatively easy to install and mostly consists of screw-on flexible water hoses. The filter will likely come with all the parts needed including the flex hoses. These kits don’t usually include the adjustable wrench, pliers, or plumber’s tape that will probably be needed.
Some under sink water filters require having their own dedicated faucet which would require using space in your existing sink like at the soap dispenser, air gap, or sprayer. Other filters simply use the existing faucet which makes it easier to install.
You may want to go over the installation manual prior to the purchase to make sure you have all the supplies.
DIY Project #8: GFCI Outlets (Shock Protection)
GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter and it is a type of outlet that has a safety shut off feature.
This means that if you have a plugged-in device or appliance, and it accidentally comes into contact with water, the outlet will automatically cutoff power to prevent electrocution.
A common electrocution hazard is a charging cell phone while taking a bath. If the phone is plugged into a standard outlet, the occupant will get electrocuted if the phone falls into the bath water.
With new construction, GFCI outlets are required by building code to be installed in the kitchen, bathroom, and exterior.
If you ever sell, home inspectors always test for GFCI outlets. It doesn’t mean that missing GFCI outlets are necessarily a defect, it would be a recommended upgrade since most older properties are grandfathered into newer building codes.
If your GFCI outlet ever trips or stops working, troubleshooting and resetting it can often resolve the issue without needing a professional.
A house with GFCI outlets is a modern electrical upgrade that can give some peace of mind and save your life.
DIY Project #9: Flexible Plumbing Connectors
I frequently call out rusted and old flexible faucet or toilet connectors in my home inspection reports.
People don’t typically replace these water hoses until it’s too late and they start a leak — hopefully a small one.
Flexible connectors are the water lines for the toilets, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators.
People don’t realize that these hoses have a lifespan of 5-10 years and should be changed out periodically. If you have standard rubber hoses, these are lower quality and have a lifespan of around 5-years only.
I once did an inspection for a seller and he told me how one of the flex connectors in an upstairs bath started leaking and flooded the floor — causing significant damage to the downstairs drywall ceiling which required total replacement.
Especially if you have flexible connectors that are rusted, bulging, or just old — it’s an easy DIY project to safeguard your house from a plumbing catastrophe.
I always recommend buying stainless steel braided hoses, and try to buy from a well-known brand such as Fluidmaster — avoid cheap foreign knockoffs. Flexible faucet connectors can be purchased online for around $10 each.
For washing machines and dishwashers, I recommend purchasing burst-proof stainless steel braided hoses for an extra layer of protection since they are under higher water pressure. Burst-proof hoses are typically color-coded red and blue (for hot and cold) and have two layers of PVC and two layers of steel braiding to help prevent rupturing.
DIY Project #10: Exterior Caulking
Almost every home inspection report I create includes comments on deteriorated exterior caulking.
Exterior caulking is a relatively simple DIY project that anyone can do, and it really should be regular annual maintenance which most homeowners neglect.
Caulk helps protect the property against water damage, pest intrusion, air leaks while also improving the energy efficiency of your HVAC system.
Proper caulking and sealing is one of many steps that can help you pass a home inspection with flying colors.
Items like windows, doors, wood trim all need caulking along the edges where it comes into contact with a different material. You will need a keen eye to look for hairline or larger cracks where caulking is needed.
Just be sure that you are caulking in the right place. For example, windows have weep holes and drainage channels that are NOT meant to be sealed — allowing water to drain out.
Vinyl siding likewise shouldn’t be caulked at the bottom or the J-channel trim and allows moisture to escape.
And don’t forget all the wall penetrations such as the power meter, exhaust hoods, vent pipes, light fixtures — or anything that has made a hole through the exterior wall.
I also recommend avoid using spray foam insulation since it isn’t meant to be used outside and will get water-clogged and degraded by sunlight.
Project #11: Downspout Extensions
Downspout extensions are an inexpensive and quick DIY project that will help protect your home’s foundation and basement from moisture intrusion.
People tend to underestimate the amount of rain that gets diverted to downspouts during rain storms.
For an average-sized 2,000-sf single family house, hundreds of gallons of water can get funneled into a single downspout during a 1-inch rain storm. Without downspout extensions (or even basic splash blocks), those hundreds of gallons get discharged right next to the home.
A phenomenon called hydrostatic pressure results when water in the ground pushes against the foundation — causing cracks, movement, and bowing.
Likewise, moisture may seep into the foundation — leading to mold growth and moisture damage to drywall and wood framing. In addition to downspouts, issues like poor grading, clogged gutters, and unsealed wall penetrations are also common causes of water in the basement.
Homeowners can buy a 7-foot plastic downspout extension for less than $20.
The farther away it drains rain (at least 5-foot plus) from the foundation, the safer your house will be from damage.
If you really don’t like the idea of above ground extensions, another option is to go under ground and terminating them with popup emitters — but that is much more work.
DIY Project #12: Clean Exterior A/C Or Heat Pump Condenser
The exterior A/C or heat pump condenser is commonly out of sight, out of mind.
These poor outdoor units often get beat up with weed whackers, baseballs, dog urine, and other problems.
However, the biggest issue I find during home inspections is that they are filthy. The condensing fins or coils are just caked in dirt and debris.
When the condensing coils/fins are obstructed from airflow, it greatly diminishes the A/C or heat pump’s efficiency and longevity. In some cases, a dirty condenser can even cause the A/C unit to freeze up, leading to more significant problems.
Any homeowner can clean the outdoor HVAC unit, it is really easy and simple.
Just buy an A/C condensing coil cleaner which is just a can filled with cleaning foam. It is sprayed onto the coil and then washed off with a hose. Some A/C coil cleaners can be left on without rinsing — read the instructions on the can.
This easy maintenance task will help your HVAC run much better and last significantly longer.
Project #13: HVAC Duct Sealing
If you have visible duct work in an unconditioned basement, crawlspace, or attic — carefully check with a flashlight if it needs duct sealing.
Up to an astonishing 30% of the energy can be wasted in your HVAC system from gaps, cracks, and poor duct connections.
And not only does it squander energy, loose duct connections can suck in dust, debris, pests, and surrounding fiberglass — degrading indoor air quality.
This DIY project comes in two parts.
- First, the ducts should be carefully inspected with a flashlight and sealed with aluminum HVAC tape.
- Second, after the duct joints are taped, I recommend using a cheap 3-inch paint brush to apply the duct sealant.
The latex duct sealant has the consistency of pancake batter and it dries a gray color that somewhat matches the ductwork.
I definitely recommend wearing gloves and a good mask to avoid breathing in the vapors.
Project #14: Attic Stairs Or Hatch Insulation
The hatch or pulldown stairs to the attic is a common place that’s missing insulation — or has poor insulation.
I tell my clients that an attic hatch without insulation is like having an open window in your home. Especially during winter with the heat on, hot air rises which gets funneled into the attic opening — wasting energy.
And during summer with the A/C on, a hot attic will radiate heat downwards through the attic opening compromising your expensive conditioned air.
Attic Hatch
The easiest way to insulate an attic hatch is to glue a few rigid foam boards together to get at least several inches of thickness — and then tape or glue it to the hatch.
Another option is to cut a piece of fiberglass batt insulation and loosely cover the hatch board. The fiberglass batt will need to be carefully adjusted each time the attic hatch is opened — frequently contractors get lazy and neglect to put it back on.
Pull Down Stairs
For attic pulldown stairs, the best way to insulate it is to install an attic stair insulation cover or tent.
If you’re wondering how to install one yourself, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process.
These stair covers are stapled to the frame of the attic opening and you will need to zip and unzip it every time you enter the attic. It is an easy way to guarantee a high level of insulation with pulldown stairs.
Project #15: Smart Water Monitor And Leak Detector
I once did a home inspection for a client who went on vacation during summer.
While he was gone, the water heater sprung a leak in the basement. When he came home, the entire basement was covered in disgusting mold — probably causing damage in the $50k+ range since the drywall had to be removed and completely redone.
A whole house water monitor could have prevented this plumbing leak from turning into a disaster.
These devices can monitor usage, track temperature, detect leaks, and even automatically shut off water to the home. They are typically wi-fi capable so you can monitor your home through an app and even turn off the water by hitting a button.
This DIY project does require a bit of confidence since you will have to shut off water to the entire home for a period and cut into the main water line. If you screw up, you may need to call in a plumber to help with the install.
I definitely recommend reading the installation manual prior to purchasing and to verify you comply local plumbing codes to see if you are up to the task. Most areas won’t require a permit but you will need to check with the building department.
The main tool involved in the installation is a pipe cutter and wrench. These smart monitors typically come with all of the plumbing fittings needed for the installation.
Project #16: Hot Water Recirculating Pump
Probably the most common complaint among new homeowners is the wait time for hot water.
Especially with older homes, the water heater may not be ideally located, the pipes may have a small diameter, or the pressure is too low.
Hot water recirculating pumps solve the problem of slow hot water by automatically pumping it to the fixtures.
These devices temporarily use the cold water plumbing as a return line back to the water heater so a dedicated return line isn’t required. They are usually installed just above the water heater and plugged into a regular outlet but some units can be placed under a centrally-located sink.
A sensor valve will also be needed which detects the temperature. The sensor valve checks for a temp below 95°F and signals (through opening water flow) back to the recirculating pump to turn activate. Once the temp goes to 100°F+, the valve shuts off and the pump turns off.
The sensor valve is easily installed underneath a bathroom sink with flexible connectors.
If you’re ready to tackle this project, check out this step-by-step guide on how to install a hot water recirculating pump.
Anyone with some basic DIY skills can install a hot water recirculating pump within a couple hours.
Final Thoughts
If you want to add value to your home, it doesn’t require expensive upgrades or hiring contractors.
These simple DIY projects show that low-cost improvements done in just a few hours or days can make a big impact.
Not only will these projects enhance the comfort of your property, but they can also improve the perception of the quality when you sell it. Neglected home-maintenance and updates may create a poor impression from visitors and buyers.
So grab your tools, roll up your sleeves, and start transforming your house today — one budget-friendly project at a time!
Ask me a question below or submit a comment below. Have you recently done a DIY project or have any suggestions?