Owning a home often feels like a never-ending cycle of things breaking, leaking or peeling. When you call a professional to fix these minor annoyances, you aren’t just paying for materials — you’re paying for their travel time, insurance and expertise. That is why the bill for a 10-minute repair often starts at $150 or more.
The good news is that many of these common issues require no specialized skills to fix. With inflation driving up service costs, learning to handle a few basic repairs can keep thousands of dollars in your pocket over the years.
Here are five home repairs where the price difference between DIY and professional is massive, and how you can fix them for less than $20.
1. Stop a running toilet
The sound of a toilet that constantly runs or “ghost flushes” is more than just annoying; it’s a waste of water that quietly drives up your utility bill. A professional plumber typically charges between $150 and $391 to fix a toilet, largely because of minimum service fees.
The culprit is usually a worn-out flapper — the rubber seal that lifts when you flush. Over time, chlorine and minerals in the water cause the rubber to warp or decay, breaking the seal.
- The fix: Head to any hardware store and buy a “universal” toilet flapper for about $6 to $12. Turn off the water supply valve behind the toilet, flush it to drain the tank, and swap the old rubber flapper for the new one. It clips right onto the overflow tube.
- Potential savings: $140+
2. Unclog a slow drain
When a bathroom sink or shower starts draining slowly, the instinct is often to call a plumber or pour harsh chemicals down the pipe. A plumber visit for a simple clog can cost anywhere from $191 to $572, while chemical cleaners can damage older pipes over time.
For hair clogs in bathroom sinks and tubs, you don’t need a heavy-duty metal snake. You need a plastic drain cleaning tool, often called a zip-it.
- The fix: Buy a plastic drain stick for under $7. These are long, flexible plastic strips with reverse barbs. Simply slide it down the drain and pull it back up; the barbs catch the hair clumps that are slowing down the water. It’s gross but effective and takes less than five minutes.
- Potential savings: $180+
3. Patch small drywall holes
Whether a doorknob swung too hard or a picture frame hanger ripped out, small holes in drywall are unsightly. Hiring a handyman to patch these often incurs a minimum trip charge, meaning you could pay over $100 for a spot typically smaller than a dime.
- The fix: Purchase a drywall repair kit for roughly $10 to $15. These kits usually come with a small tub of spackle, a putty knife and a sanding pad. For nail pops or screw holes, just press the spackle in, let it dry and sand it smooth. For slightly larger holes (up to a few inches), look for a mesh patch kit to add structural support.
- Potential savings: $90+
4. Refresh dirty or cracking caulk
The sealant around your bathtub and sink prevents water from seeping behind the walls and causing mold or rot. Over the years, this caulk turns black, cracks or peels away. Professional recaulking services can charge between $65 and $300, depending on the size of the tub and the amount of old material they need to scrape off.
- The fix: A tube of high-quality silicone bath-and-kitchen caulk costs about $5 to $12. You will also need a cheap plastic scraper to remove the old caulk, which often costs less than $5. The key is patience: Remove all the old caulk and clean the area thoroughly with rubbing alcohol before applying the new bead.
- Potential savings: $100+
5. Seal drafty doors
If you can see light coming through the bottom or sides of your exterior doors, you’re paying to heat and cool the neighborhood. Replacing weatherstripping is one of the most cost-effective tasks you can do, yet professionals often charge $130 or more to come out and install it.
- The fix: For the sides of the door, buy a roll of self-stick foam weatherstripping for roughly $7 to $15. Clean the door frame, peel off the backing and stick it where the door meets the jamb. For the bottom of the door, you can buy a slide-on or adhesive door sweep for under $20. These simple additions block drafts instantly.
- Potential savings: $110+ (plus monthly energy savings)
Don’t be afraid to try
Home maintenance doesn’t always require a contractor’s license. By tackling these low-risk, high-reward repairs yourself, you build confidence and keep your budget intact. Start with the project that is bugging you the most — likely that running toilet — and enjoy the satisfaction of a quiet home and a full wallet.