🌱 Tier 1 — Start here

Beginner guides

These are the easiest fixes that save the most money. No experience needed — just follow the steps.

No experience needed
Step-by-step instructions
Save hundreds vs calling a pro
We tell you when to call for help

63 guides — sorted easiest first

Difficulty:
= easier
Plumbing

Remove old silicone sealant

Save £50–100 today

15–20 mins·£5–10
Plumbing

Use PTFE tape properly

Save £40–80 today

10 mins·£1–5
Tiling

Check if a wall is level and flat

Prevents rework

10–15 mins·£0
Plumbing

Unblock a drain

Save £60–120 today

20 mins·Free
Heating

Bleed a radiator

Save £50–80 today

15 mins·£1–3
Electrics

Change a lightbulb

Save £60–100 today

5 mins·£5–15
Plumbing

Replace a toilet seat

Save £40–80 today

20 mins·£15–40
Plumbing

Fix low water pressure

Save £60–100 today

30 mins·Free–£10
Plumbing

Unblock a toilet

Save £60–120 today

20 mins·Free–£12
Plumbing

Replace a shower head

Save £40–80 today

15 mins·£10–40
Plumbing

Turn off your water mains

Prevents flood damage

5 mins·Free
Heating

Repressurise a boiler

Save £50–80 today

10 mins·Free
Heating

Fix a cold radiator

Save £50–80 today

20 mins·Free–£3
Electrics

Replace a plug fuse

Save £30–60 today

5 mins·£1–3
Electrics

Reset a tripped circuit breaker

Save £40–60 today

10 mins·Free
Electrics

Fix a doorbell

Save £40–80 today

30 mins·£3–25
Carpentry

Fix a squeaky floorboard

Save £40–60 today

20 mins·£2–8
Carpentry

Fix a sticking drawer

Save £30–50 today

15 mins·Free–£3
Carpentry

Hang a picture frame properly

Save £30–60 today

20 mins·£2–6
Carpentry

Fix a broken cabinet hinge

Save £30–60 today

20 mins·Free–£10
Heating

What to do if your boiler breaks down

Save £100–300 today

30 mins·Free
Electrics

Turn off your electricity at the fuse box

Essential safety knowledge

5 mins·Free
General

Read your energy meter

Prevents overcharging

5 mins·Free
General

Draft proof a door or window

Save £50–150 per year

30 mins·£8–20
Electrics

Replace a smoke alarm battery

Keeps your home protected

5 mins·£3–5
Heating

Bleed all radiators

Save £80–150 today

1 hour·£1–3
Heating

Fix a noisy radiator

Save £50–80 today

30 mins·Free–£5
Heating

Boiler breakdown: what to do

Save £100–300 today

30 mins·Free
Outdoor

Fix a leaking garden tap

Save £60–100 today

30 mins·£3–10
Electrics

Fix a light that won't turn on

Save £40–80 today

15 mins·£0–8
Plumbing

Unblock a sink without chemicals

Save £60–100 today

15–30 mins·£0–12
Carpentry

Fix a loose door handle

Save £40–80 today

15 mins·£0–8
Outdoor

Unblock a gutter

Save £80–150 today

1 hour·£15–30
DIY Skills

Apply silicone sealant cleanly

Saves £50–100 vs a tradesperson

20–30 mins·£5–15
DIY Skills

Use a spirit level properly

Prevents visible errors in every future job

10 mins·£0
DIY Skills

Find pipes and wires in walls before drilling

Prevents a £500–2,000 repair bill

10 mins·£0
Tiling

Drill into tiles without cracking them

Save £50–150 today

15 mins·£5–15
Plumbing

Cap off a pipe temporarily

Save £80–150 today

15–20 mins·£5–15
Decorating

Finish a bathroom (seal, paint & final checks)

Save £80–200 today

1–2 hours·£10–50
Plumbing

Fix a dripping tap

Save £80–150 today

45 mins·£2–5
Decorating

Paint a room

Save £200–500 today

1 day·£30–60
Masonry

Fill a hole in a wall

Save £50–100 today

30 mins·£3–5
Fitting

Fit a curtain pole

Save £50–80 today

45 mins·£0–15
Plumbing

Fix a leaking pipe joint

Save £60–120 today

30 mins·£3–8
Electrics

Replace a light switch

Save £60–100 today

30 mins·£5–15
Carpentry

Fix a sticking door

Save £50–80 today

45 mins·Free–£4
Decorating

Fill and sand a wall

Save £50–100 today

45 mins·£5–10
Decorating

Strip wallpaper

Save £100–200 today

Half a day·£12–25
Decorating

Repair a crack in a ceiling

Save £80–150 today

1 hour·£6–22
Decorating

Fix peeling paint on a wall

Save £60–120 today

2–3 hours·£15–55
Plumbing

Fix a leaking pipe under a sink

Save £60–120 today

30 mins·£0–20
Outdoor

Fix a fence panel

Save £100–200 today

2 hours·£30–80
DIY Skills

Remove old grout from tiles

Essential skill — saves ruining tiles

30–60 mins·£0–20
DIY Skills

Drill into different wall types

Prevents cracked tiles and blown plasterboard

15 mins·£0–15
Plumbing

Strip out a bathroom

Save £150–400 today

1–3 hours·£0–20
Tiling

Prepare walls for tiling

Save £150–400 today

1–2 hours·£10–40
Plumbing

Fit bathroom fixtures (sink, accessories & finishing)

Save £150–400 today

1–3 hours·£20–100
Plumbing

Prep bathroom plumbing (before renovation)

Save £100–300 today

30–90 mins·£0–10
Carpentry

Put up shelves

Save £50–80 today

1 hour·£10–20
Plumbing

Fix a running toilet

Save £80–150 today

1 hour·£10–25
Decorating

Tile a splashback

Save £150–300 today

Half a day·£30–80
Electrics

Install a smart thermostat

Save £150–300/year

1–2 hours·£100–250
Outdoor

Lay decking boards

Save £500–1,500 today

Full day·£200–600