If you\u2019re a homeowner, housing costs probably eat up a big chunk of your budget each month. From mortgage payments to home insurance to property taxes, you\u2019re locked into a lot of bills. But there is one area where you can cut costs, provided you\u2019re willing to put in a little elbow grease: maintenance and improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Annual maintenance and upkeep costs the average homeowner anywhere from 2% to 5% of the purchase price of the home, says home expert Dan DiClerico. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo put some hard numbers to that, if it\u2019s a $300,000 house, it\u2019s anywhere between $6,000 and $15,000.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, if you know how to DIY to save money, you can trim those costs down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to NerdWallet\u2019s Home Improvement Report<\/a>, homeowners spend far less money when they tackle projects on their own as opposed to hiring a professional to do the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are you paying for when you hire a pro? DiClerico estimates that labor costs account for one-third to half of the total price tag for most professional improvement jobs. Considering that the NerdWallet study above reports that 80% of homeowners feel professionals are charging too much for labor and materials, it\u2019s clear these bills can really add up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid costly hiccups when taking on DIY projects to save money by thinking through your expenses. Before you start your project, tally up your projected costs so you\u2019ll have an idea of how much you should budget for home repairs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With potential savings in mind, you\u2019re probably wondering: Which home DIY projects can save me the most money? Keep reading for tips from seasoned fixer-uppers on how to stretch your home maintenance dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n