The First-Time Homeowner’s Guide to Tackling DIY Projects

Owning your own home opens up a world of do-it-yourself (DIY) possibilities. No more landlord or parents to worry about. You’re free to hammer, nail and sand to your heart’s content.

Starting that first project can be intimidating, though. What should I do? How do I start? What if I screw it up?

“The biggest misconception is that you need experience before you can try,” says Danny Niemela of ArDan Construction. “That is backwards. You get experience by screwing things up, fixing them, then doing it cleaner the next time, even if it takes three trips to the hardware store.”

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities, it can also help to start by picking one skill that appeals to you, then growing from there, says Bar Zakheim of Better Place Design & Build. “The world of DIY is enormous, but learning how to properly maintain your home can save you a lot of money.”

As long as you work safely, there’s no shame in trying. With every project, you’ll get better and more confident, and we’ll be here to help.

Beginner DIY Toolkit

Whether you’re a new homeowner or just new to DIY, you won’t get far without a few basic tools. “You don’t need a professional workshop, but having the basic tools for the job will make a huge difference,” says Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Handyman. “You can always expand your collection as your skills grow. ”

A tape measure and level come in handy for hanging pictures. Screwdrivers and hex wrenches are a must for assembling furniture. And a power drill and saw make quick work of woodworking projects. You’ll also need tape, pencils and a utility knife.

Easy Projects for Beginners

Are you ready to start? Remember my ceiling light fiasco. If you’re not sure what’s lurking behind the drywall (or in my case, lath-and-plaster), try something a little more knowable. Here are a few easy projects to set yourself on the road to success:

Paint a room

Painting a room may seem harder than it is, so don’t be afraid to try. “Painting really is the ideal DIY skill to pick up first,” says Jonathan Palley of Clever Tiny Homes. “It doesn’t require many dangerous or expensive tools, it’s necessary for just about any home and it has both practical and aesthetic elements to it.”

Start with a bathroom or other small room to gain confidence. The key to painting is the prep work. If you just go in and start slinging paint around, you’ll end up with a big mess and sloppy results. Use painter’s tape to block off light switches and other obstacles and make crisp edges. Use a drop cloth to catch drips. No matter how careful you are, paint will still drip.

One other tip: Don’t overload your brush. You’ll think you can spread it out as you go, but I promise it will just make your job harder. Dip your brush in about one-third of the way and tap both sides against the can or container. Reload as needed.

Hang a gallery wall

Transform any blank wall into a showcase. We put up a gallery wall of family pictures when I was growing up, which basically meant hanging one pic in the middle and just kind of “winging it” outward. It was charming, but luckily not in a prominent spot!

For a more deliberate design, plan your layout before you start hanging. Use craft paper and painter’s tape to work out where things go before reaching for the hammer. You can put up this easy gallery wall in a couple of hours.

Niemela recommends planning out the layout on the floor. “Masking tape helps visualize spacing on the actual wall,” he says. Also, “Keep spacing consistent, three inches between frames usually looks clean.”

A few other pro-tips from Niemela:

• Use a laser level if you have it, though a regular level and a little patience also work fine.
• Do not eyeball the height.
• Pick a centerline and build around that.
• Drywall anchors are a must for anything heavier than a pound or two.

Build a bench

As a new homeowner, I dreamed of building a woodworking empire in my garage. Just one problem: The closest I’d come to building a wooden anything was assembling IKEA furniture. But hey, you have to start somewhere.

How about with an easy bench? Projects like this can be built for about $75 with just a few tools. If you have a saw, great. If not, just ask the home center to cut the wood for you.

Build a raised garden bed

I love to garden, so when I move into a new place, I usually start outside. Raised garden beds save your back and keep bunnies from eating your lettuce, although I usually plant some for them, too.

“You can build a raised garden bed in two hours with a circular saw, drill, tape measure and four clamps,” says Niemela, who also offers these pro-tips:

• Use cedar or redwood for durability. “Skip the cheap pine, so you don’t have to rebuild it every spring,” he says.
• Pre-drill everything, especially near the ends of boards. “Skipping that leads to splits and loose corners,” he says.
• Use 2.5-inch deck screws, not nails.
• Stack blocks or rebar if the bed is taller than 12 inches, or it will bow out over time.

The first garden I built was nothing more than four 2x12s screwed together into a box. But if you want to get creative, there are plenty of other DIY raised garden bed ideas to satisfy your green thumb.

Common Home Maintenance Tasks

These projects aren’t quite as fun as building a DIY cat tree, but homeownership comes with responsibilities. You spent your hard-earned money on your home and appliances, so it’s important to keep everything in tip-top shape.

Replace air filters

Air filters in our heating and cooling systems remove indoor dust and pollutants. They don’t last forever, though. Luckily, changing them is super easy. Check your furnace, air conditioner and wall return ducts once a month, and replace them if dirty. Always unplug your HVAC unit first!

Test smoke detectors

Smoke detectors save lives, so test yours every month. Simply push the test button; it will chirp if the smoke detector’s in good working order (get ready, it’s loud!). If you have high ceilings, grab a broomstick and push the button from the ground. Replace your smoke detectors every ten years. Write the date on the outside edge so you or the next owner knows when it’s time to change them again.

Clean out gutters and downspouts

This once-a-year task protects your roof from ice dams and water intrusion. You’ll need an extension ladder, a good investment for any new homeowner. Scoop out the leaves and debris and rinse with water. Simple enough, but it does take a little patience.

“Cleaning gutters is one of those things that sounds easier than it is!” says Niemela, who offers these pro-tips:

• Make sure your ladder is rated for your weight and tall enough that you are not stretching.
• Always use a ladder stabilizer.
• Keep the mess down by using gloves, a hose, a bucket and a gutter scoop.
• Check downspouts for clogs. “If water is backing up during storms, that is usually where the problem is,” he says.
• Flush with a hose from the top, not the bottom.
• Always check the weather before starting. “Wet roofs and ladders are a bad combo,” he says.

Also, while you’re up there, it’s a good time to make sure your downspouts are in good shape and are directing water away from your foundation.

“You’ve got this!,” says Shimek. “Don’t be afraid to try, to make mistakes and to learn along the way. The satisfaction of creating something with your own hands, fixing something yourself or transforming a space is truly empowering. Take it one step at a time, celebrate your small victories, and remember that every project, no matter how small, adds to your skills and confidence.”

When to Call a Pro

Once you get a few projects under your belt, you may want to tackle everything that goes wrong in your home. Be careful, though. Some things are better left to professionals, especially for beginner DIYers. It’s often just quicker to call a pro, and that’s perfectly OK, too.

If you have any of these problems, or you’re just not comfortable fixing them yourself, give them a call!

• Complex electrical tasks: Plenty of homeowners switch out light fixtures, install ceiling fans and replace electrical receptacles. But if you ever smell burning, or have flickering lights or a breaker that won’t hold, call a licensed pro.
• Extensive mold damage: Mold ruins drywall, paint, wood, furniture, and carpet. It causes health problems, and you can’t just paint over it. Molds need moisture to grow, so you’ll need to find and fix the source before moving on to mold remediation.
• Gas leaks: Don’t mess around with natural gas. If you smell that signature “rotten egg” odor that gas companies add to odorless natural gas, leave your house and call a licensed plumber.
• Pest infestations: If a mouse decides to move in, you can likely take care of the problem yourself. But if you’ve got termites, cockroaches or a wasp nest hidden in your wall, call for help to avoid major structural, health and safety issues.

FAQs

How do I stay safe when doing DIY home projects?

One of the cardinal rules of DIY safety is to take it slow. “Forgetting to unplug tools when swapping blades, rushing with a blade in your hand or balancing on a ladder is how bad weekends start,” says Niemela.

Also, when in doubt, always wear protection, says Zakheim. That includes safety glasses, ear protection (if it’s louder than a vacuum cleaner), long pants and sleeves (unless it’s too hot, then that could lead to heat exhaustion) and sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Don’t forget gloves when you’re dealing with rough wood or metal edges.

“And for anything over your head, wear something on your face,” says Niemela. “Even light dust gets nasty fast.”

Palley also stresses safety whenever you’re working with electricity, including operating a large power tool or doing wiring work. “Make sure to turn off the circuit breaker before doing any wiring work, and work with someone else present in case the worst happens,” he says.

What kinds of projects are good for a new homeowner or someone who’s just getting into DIY and looking to build their skills?

Renovation expert Scott MicGillivray has some good suggestions. “Start small,” he begins. In addition to the painting mentioned earlier, you can also “replace cabinet hardware, install a backsplash, or build basic shelves.” MicGillicray explains that projects like these are a “great way to gain confidence without major risk.”

As a DIYer, are there any projects a beginner should avoid? If so, why?  

“Stay away from anything structural, electrical, or plumbing-intensive. Mistakes here can be dangerous and expensive to fix,” warns MicGillivray.

About the Experts

• Danny Niemela is a professional home remodeler and co-owner at ArDan Construction, a luxury home remodeling company in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has two decades of experience leading custom renovation projects, and is also the current President of the Greater Phoenix Chapter of National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).
• Bar Zakheim is CEO of Better Place Design & Build, residential contractors based in the San Diego area, specializing in residential renovations, additions and ADUs.
• Jonathan Palley is CEO of Clever Tiny Homes, which retail nationwide, and a board member for the Tiny Home Industry Association.
• Ron Shimek is president of the national home improvement franchise Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly company.
• Scott MicGillivray is a TV host and triple-threat expert in real estate, renovation, and finance.