Summer is a great time of year for home Improvement Projects. We’re all crawling out from under our winter rocks and feeling like we should probably start tackling our to-do lists. If you’ve got the urge to tackle some DIY projects this Summer, here are a few bang-for-your-buck options.

What if you don’t have room in your budget for a big renovation? Don’t fret. You can improve your living space by doing small projects, one at a time. And you can save even more if you do them yourself. Here are some easy DIY home improvement projects you can tackle this summer.

Choose projects that will help keep your home cool, safe, and energy-efficient for the warmer months. There’s no telling yet what this year’s summer weather has in store for us, but we can prepare now and make our spaces more inviting, comfortable, and even more cost-effective.

Paint your front door.

Whether you decide to make a big, bold color change or freshen up your current color, painting your front door is a relatively quick and easy way to improve the look of your home. As with all painting projects, the prep work is the most important. Remove your door from the hinges and give it a quick sanding and a good clean before you start painting. With proper planning, this project can be done over a weekend.

Expected time: 1 day
Expected cost: Under $100

Clean your gutters.

This home improvement project is the least favorite among most homeowners, but it needs to be done, regardless. As soon as the winter weather clears, you want to ensure that your gutters are in good shape to prevent leaks in your roof or water damage inside your home. You’ll want to hit this chore again in the fall before winter rolls around again.

The tools needed are likely items you already own, but the most important include a ladder, gloves, a scoop or trowel, bucket, and a hose. It should be noted that if you’re uncomfortable on a ladder or have any concerns about doing this yourself, you should pay to have it professionally done.

Expected time: 2-3 hours
Expected cost: $50-$100 for supplies

Change out hardware.

A very quick and easy way to update a kitchen or bathroom is by swapping our hardware. Drawer pulls and cabinet handles are affordable and easy to remove and re-install. Be sure to research the dimensions and the placements of the holes for the screws so they match up with your current hardware, making the swap much easier.

Expected time: 1-2 hours
Expected cost: $50-$75

Install a programmable or smart thermostat.

A DIY project that can save you money year-round, a programmable or smart thermostat allows you to set a daily schedule for the temperature of your home, saving you money while you’re away or asleep by keeping the temperature cooler (or warmer in the summer months) than during the day. A smart thermostat takes that convenience even further by giving you control from your mobile device through an app. Create vacation modes, turn the heat higher from your car on your way home from work, and keep it cooler for your pets while you are away, there are a lot of perks and options, making this a very worthwhile upgrade.

Expected time: 15 minutes
Expected cost: $200+

Pressure wash.

If you’re lucky enough to own a power washer, now is the time to bust it out of storage and put it to work. If you’ve noticed some dirt and grime on your siding, it’s best to clean it before it causes any damage to your home. While you’ve got the pressure washer out, go ahead and spray down your deck, porch, and patio to also keep those damage-free and ready for this summer’s events. This PryMAX Gas-Powered Pressure Washer is $290 until 6/3.

Expected time: 2-6 hours
Expected cost: $150 – $250 for the pressure washer

Install weatherstripping.

Not a fun or pretty upgrade by any means, but definitely a must for drafty homes before hot summers or cold winters. Whether it’s for your doors or windows, you can buy weatherstripping at Lowe’s or your local hardware store and install it yourself fairly quickly to stop the hot, humid air from sneaking in. This will help cut down on your air-conditioning bill during the hottest months of the year. Choose your weatherstripping carefully by selecting based on location and ease of installation for your specific windows and doors.

Expected time: 2-3 hours
Expected cost: $50-$75

Replace window treatments.

A quick and easy way to cut your energy bill even further is to hang some blackout curtains with thermal panels. By keeping these thermal panels closed in the summer, you’ll cool your home naturally by keeping the sun’s heat out.

Overstock has thousands of blackout curtain styles to choose from in every color to suit your home. Be sure to measure appropriately and buy curtains that cover your entire window to ensure energy savings.

Expected time: 1 hour
Expected cost: $20-$50+

Change out furnace filters if you have central air conditioning.

To help extend the life of your air-conditioner and to keep your air clean and energy costs down, replace your furnace filter every month, particularly in the summer and winter months. We normally see the best sales and prices at Home Depot or Walmart.

Expected time: 5 minutes
Expected cost: $10-$20

While all of these easy home repairs come with some upfront cost, the overall payback will be worth it. By doing it yourself you’re saving on the cost of labor and getting your home in good shape to avoid further costs in the future due to damage or excessive wasted energy. For more DIY home improvement motivation, visit our online coupon pages for Home Depot, Lowe’s, TrueValue, and Ace Hardware.

Frugal Living: DIY Home Repair

For even more on DIY home improvement projects, check out this episode of Frugal Living with Jim Markus. Frugal Living is a podcast for smart consumers. In this episode, Jim speaks with Ashley French, a realtor and home DIYer, about her own home projects. You can listen to Frugal Living on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you go to find podcasts.

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