7 Do-it-yourself home improvement projects to boost you confidence and your property values

It doesn’t always pay to hire a pro for the little stuff. You can save up to 50 percent of the cash it’d cost you to get something fixed if you do it yourself instead. It may seem a little daunting, but all you have to do is a little homework to get the fear and the "I can'ts" out of your system.

Here are seven home improvement projects you can do yourself. These fix-it’s will not only boost your property value, they’ll teach you the skills and give you the confidence you need to tackle bigger and better projects.

1. Painting. You’d be amazed how many folks pay a pro to do this simple task, but you can have pro-quality results if you follow this simple rule: Don’t skimp on the prep work. First, repair all cracks, dents or holes in the wall (see No. 2). Next, give the wall a coat or two of primer. Then, Run painter’s tape along baseboards and ceilings, window and door frames, or anywhere else you want a clean, straight line. Voila. You are ready to paint.

Start by cutting —using a brush to paint a three to four-inch section along the baseboards, windows, doors, etc. Then, use a roller to finish the rest of the wall, running it in a W pattern to apply the paint in a light, even coat. View painting instructions here.

2. Repairing cracks in the wall. There’s no sense looking at what hole in the wall when it’s so easy to fix. You’ll need a metal putty knife, some Spackle or joint compound and some fiberglass tape. All of these tools should be right next to each other in your local hardware store. First, you’ll need to make the crack a little wider, being sure to dig out any spackle from old repairs. Next, fill the crack with a smooth, even coat of compound. Then, cut fiberglass tape to the length of the crack and smooth on top of the wet compound. Let dry for 24 hours, and then add a smooth, even top coat of compound — just enough to hide the tape. Let dry for 24 more hours, then use a fine sandpaper to sand the patch until it is smooth. Now your once-cracked wall is ready for priming! View repair tips and tricks.

3. Replacing an old toilet. It doesn’t take a genius to pull off this plumbing project. You will, however, need another human being to help you lift the toilet off of its mount. The physics are very simple. You will need to remove the old bolts — you may have to cut them off with a hacksaw if they are rusted. Lift the toilet off of the mount. Install a new set of bolts and secure with plumber’s putty, then attach a new wax ring on the new toilet and lower over the bolts. View complete instructions.

4. Installing ceramic tile.
Sign up for a free class at Lowe’s or Home Depot before you get started or view instructions here.

5. Changing an electrical outlet. Electricity makes a lot of folks nervous — and it should. If you aren’t careful it can give you a shock or even kill you. But you can change a faulty outlet. First, turn off the fuse/ breaker attached to the outlet. You can test to make sure the line is off using a voltage detector pen, which beeps when a current is present. It’ll cost you about $9. View instructions here.

6. Installing beadboard. Invest in a three-in-one stud finder. It’ll tell you wear the studs, plumbing and electrical wiring are in your wall, so you can avoid costly or dangerous mistakes. First, you must let the beadboard sit for 24 hours in the room where it will be installed. This will allow it to adjust to the humidity in the room. Complete instructions.

7. Refinishing hardwood floors. Giving life to that worn out hardwood floor can be as easy as lightly sanding it and applying a fresh coat of polyurethane. To avoid turning a small job into a big one, refinish the floors before the varnish wears off completely and leaves only bare wood. View complete instructions.