DIY Home Improvements vs. Calling a Pro

What Home Improvements Can You Actually Do Yourself (and When Should You Call a Pro)?

DIY home improvements are a great way to save money and keep your property in solid shape. But not every project is a good candidate for the weekend warrior approach. Knowing the difference between a smart DIY job and one that’s going to cost you more in the long run is worth its weight in gold.

This guide covers the projects most Tampa Bay homeowners can handle. For budget-friendly ideas, check out the most affordable ways to update your home on their own, plus the ones where calling in help is the smarter move.

Key Takeaways

• Fixing leaky faucets, patching walls, and painting are solid beginner DIY projects
• Fixture swaps (faucets, light fixtures) are easier than they look
• Electrical work beyond basic fixture replacement should go to a licensed pro
• Florida’s heat and humidity affect how materials behave, so prep and product selection matter more here

How Do You Fix a Leaky Faucet?

A dripping faucet wastes water, drives up your bill, and gets more annoying every day you put it off. The fix is usually straightforward.

Turn off the water supply under the sink. Remove the faucet handle (usually a screw under a decorative cap). You’ll see a packing nut holding the stem in place. Loosen it with an adjustable wrench, pull the stem out, and check the washer and O-ring at the bottom. If they’re worn, cracked, or flattened, that’s your culprit. Take the old parts to the hardware store to match the size, install the replacements, and reassemble.

If you’re dealing with a cartridge-style faucet (common in newer homes), the process is similar but you’ll be replacing the cartridge itself. The manufacturer’s website usually has a parts diagram specific to your model.

What’s the Best Way to Paint a Room Like a Pro?

Painting is the most popular DIY home improvement for a reason. It’s affordable, it makes a dramatic difference, and the learning curve is manageable.

The secret is in the prep. Clean the walls, fill holes with spackle, sand smooth, and tape off everything you want to protect. If you skip prep, it’ll show in the final result no matter how expensive the paint is.

In Florida, choose a paint with mildew resistance built in. Our humidity is tough on interior finishes, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. Satin or eggshell finishes hold up best for walls. Use a quality roller for open areas, and a 2-inch angled brush for cutting in around edges.

Apply two thin coats. Let each coat dry fully before adding the next. Trying to cover everything in one heavy coat is the number one mistake DIY painters make.

Can You Replace Light Fixtures and Faucets Yourself?

Absolutely, and both projects make a noticeable difference for minimal cost.

Faucet replacement: Turn off the water, disconnect the supply lines, unbolt the old faucet, clean the surface, and install the new one following the manufacturer’s instructions. Most faucets come with everything you need. Budget about 45 minutes for the job.

Light fixture replacement: Turn off the circuit at the breaker (not just the wall switch). Verify power is off with a voltage tester. Remove the old fixture, connect the new wires (match the colors), mount the new fixture, and restore power. If the wiring looks old, damaged, or confusing, stop and call an electrician. (For smart upgrades, see our guide to smart home installations worth the money.)

How Do You Patch Holes and Cracks in Walls?

Wall damage from nails, doorknobs, and settling is inevitable. Fixing it before it gets worse is one of the easiest home improvement wins.

For small nail holes: a dab of spackle, a swipe with a putty knife, dry, sand, paint. Five minutes.

For fist-sized holes: grab a drywall patch kit from the hardware store. Cut a clean rectangle around the damage, attach the patch, and apply joint compound in thin layers. Sand between coats. Prime and paint when dry. Our step-by-step wall repair guide walks you through the full process.

For cracks along seams or near doors/windows: widen the crack slightly, apply joint compound, embed paper drywall tape, and build up thin layers. In Tampa Bay homes, if the same crack keeps returning, humidity and soil conditions may be causing ongoing movement. That’s a sign to have someone evaluate the root cause.

What DIY Projects Should You Avoid?

Some jobs seem simple but can get expensive fast if they go wrong. Here’s where the risk often outweighs the savings.

Electrical panel work or new circuits: This requires a licensed electrician. Getting it wrong creates a fire hazard.

Plumbing behind walls: A visible leak under a sink is DIY-friendly. A leak inside a wall is not. You can’t see the full scope of the problem, and cutting into walls without knowing what’s there can make things worse.

Anything structural: Moving walls, reinforcing framing, or addressing foundation issues requires permits and professional assessment.

Full bathroom or kitchen remodels: These involve plumbing, electrical, and often structural changes all in one project. The coordination alone is worth hiring a pro. But you can still make a big impact with targeted bathroom updates that don’t require a full renovation.

Common Questions

What’s the easiest home improvement project for a beginner?
Painting a room. Low risk, affordable, and the results are immediately visible. Start with a small room to build confidence.

How much can I really save doing it myself?
For simple projects like painting, patching, or swapping a faucet, you can save 60-80% versus hiring it out. The key is knowing which projects fall in the “save money” category versus the “cost more when it goes wrong” category.

Should I watch YouTube tutorials before starting?
Yes. But stick to videos from established home improvement channels, not random accounts. And make sure the advice applies to Florida conditions. What works in Colorado doesn’t always work here.

What We Do and What We Don’t Do

Best Bay Services handles: drywall repairs, painting (interior and exterior), fixture installation, light plumbing and electrical, furniture assembly, TV mounting, pressure washing, and general handyman work across the Tampa Bay area, including Valrico, Brandon, Riverview, and Tampa.

We don’t do: electrical panel work, gas lines, structural modifications, or full remodels. If your project needs one of those, we’ll help you find the right specialist.

DIY not your thing, or just don’t have the time? Best Bay Services handles the projects homeowners across Tampa Bay keep putting off. Get a free estimate.