The cost of hiring people to remodel your home or provide services has risen so much that some men have decided to learn trades to handle the work themselves. Thanks to free courses available online, on Reddit, YouTube, and other specialized apps, you can fix certain issues if you are handy. And who knows? You might even discover a second calling. Here are the DIY skills men have picked up in recent years that have saved them the expense of hiring a professional!
Basic Vehicle Maintenance
You can learn to change your car’s oil, air and cabin filters, and even replace the battery yourself. Dealerships usually handle these maintenance tasks, but with rising costs, people have started doing the work themselves. You can find tutorials on YouTube, where people often begin with simple DIY skills in repairing and gradually move on to major components. Reddit user oivaf1 commented: “You can start changing your oil, very easy in most cars. Then you can expand on spark plugs and transmission fluid. A simple search on YouTube with the model and year of your car should do it.”
Home Painting
Painters are among the professionals who have raised their hourly rate, leading many homeowners to take the job with DIY skills. Spending a few weekends on the work can save you thousands of dollars; those who start by painting one area of their home often end up doing the rest of the rooms as well when needed. jasonpatudy wrote on Reddit: “I painted two rooms, and I felt that taping was harder, and painting always leaked. Learning how to cut edge with the right brush was much easier than trying to tape.”
Lawn Equipment Repair
You can learn DIY skills like basic maintenance for mowers, trimmers, and snow blowers, as well as how to replace small engines, or at least the less expensive parts, to start with. Online videos show you the basic equipment you need to get the job done and save the money you would otherwise spend on a professional. Reddit user guywithsweatshirt indicated: “There are certification courses for different brands like MTD or Toro, as well as tech colleges. You could try to apprentice at a small engine shop.”
Basic Plumbing Repairs
Many homeowners learn how to replace faucets and fix toilets or shut-off valves. Among DIY troubleshooting skills categories, plumbing is one of the most sought-after because even minor repairs can result in huge expenses. Knowing how to quickly stop a leak can save you a lot of money in the long run. Reddit user cake_eater pointed out: “I do this with everything I can. Most complex repair I learned to do was change out the cpu on my fridge.”
Drywall Repair
When performing drywall repairs, you need patch kits and basic tutorials, which makes the task simple. This way, you won’t be shocked when a professional hands you a hefty bill, because you won’t be calling one. Materials like joint compound and water are very affordable, and in just a few hours, you can make your wall look brand new. Reddit user Vlad_the_Homeowner wrote about DIY skills: “If you’re willing to take your time and you can get acceptable results your first time, you’ll have it down after a few patches.”
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Tax Preparation
People have chosen to fill out their own tax returns because online resources and computer programs are available to assist with the process. Many taxpayers feel confident preparing their own returns as the cost of professional services continues to rise, they feel confident to do them themselves. Reddit user Conda1119 revealed: “I work an unrelated 40 hr week field, but I have my side tax business where I just help people fill out the free fillable forms on IRS website.”
Basic Electrical Work
At some point in your life, you’ll need to replace outlets, switches, light fixtures, or ceiling fans; learning how to do this yourself is cheaper than hiring an electrician. However, working with electricity can be very risky, so you must take safety precautions, though you only need inexpensive tools to handle these tasks. Reddit user seabornman recommended: “Everything I learned about basic electrical came from a Sunset book called ‘Basic Home Wiring’ and you can get it for cheap used.”
Appliance Repair
To begin with, appliance repair services usually charge a fee just to diagnose the problem. On top of that, while these appliances do tend to break down, the replacement parts are generally inexpensive; so, if you learn how to do the repairs yourself by watching videos, you can save both the hassle and the money. Instead of feeling frustrated by the issue you’re facing, try to look at the bright side: You’re learning a new skill. Reddit user eugenep1 indicated: “You just have to learn to read wiring diagrams, have clean hygiene and good personality and have access to manuals on a website like appliantology.org.”
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Basic Carpentry
If you don’t have the DIY skills for basic carpentry like restoring furniture, shelving, trim work, and other simple projects in your house, don’t look for an expensive contractor. Online tutorials have simplified the learning process and you can make a hobby of it. Reddit user Barryballhouse commented: “You could get a measuring tape, square, hammer, knife, a drill and other battery powered tools and start with a small project.”
Smartphone and Electronics Repair
People use their cellphones every day, making it more likely that they will drop or break them, or simply experience malfunctions. There are more repair methods and spare parts available than ever before in history, and replacing a screen or battery has never been easier with some DIY skills. brandonas1987 revealed on Reddit: “Get some devices to practice on and go from there. There are bunch of videos on YouTube that show general teardown videos.”
Hair Cutting and Beard Grooming
The cost of visiting a hair salon or barbershop has risen, and since grooming seems like a straightforward task, some men have picked up grooming skills, perhaps starting during the pandemic. Facial hair maintenance is usually a weekly routine, so saving money on it thanks to a few DIY skills can add up to significant savings over the course of a year. Thats_my_beer wrote on Reddit: “My barber told me to start at a longer length and trim downward. It’s almost impossible to screw it up if you only trim down. Then you can slowly adjust to a length you like.”
Pressure Washing
Professionals equipped for pressure washing have been charging more for their services in recent years; however, since these machines are widely available on the market, many people have learned to operate them. There are just a few techniques to master to avoid damaging the surface you are cleaning, and once you have the necessary DIY skills, you might even find the process fun. Reddit user [borrado] noted: “I bought a 3000 PSI Honda power washer from a pawn shop for about US$ 250. I wish I would have bought it sooner. I use it all the time.”
Furniture Restoration
As the price of furniture has risen, many people are interested in refurbishing the furniture they already own rather than replacing it. Basic DIY skills such as sanding, staining, and refinishing are among the techniques learned by those looking to save money. Reddit user jeeper46 gave one tip: “Check out Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration on YouTube, where he shows all his tools and techniques.”
Cooking Restaurant Favorites at Home
As the cost of dining out has risen drastically, many people are choosing to recreate their favorite restaurant dishes at home with some DIY skills. YouTube and other social media platforms have made these recipes more accessible to the general public, allowing you to practice and even turn cooking into a hobby. Reddit user AutumnSunshine shared her experience: “For my kid, finding out we can do bacon cheeseburgers at home was a revelation. It never occurred to me that he didn’t know he could just ask for it. Anyway, that cut down on him asking to eat out.”
Basic Investing and Financial Planning
Some people are learning about finance independently instead of consulting professionals. Online resources make education more accessible, so many people feel confident enough to learn the fundamental concepts of investing. Reddit user Last-Reception-2296 pointed out: “Before you buy your first share, you must understand the why and the how of the market.”
Home Networking and Tech Setup
Home technology has become essential for both work and entertainment, leading service professionals to raise their rates due to high demand; meanwhile, others are turning to online tutorials to improve their network coverage and avoid the cost of hiring a professional. Reddit user Ordinary_Inside-34 revealed: “Learn about wiring for Ethernet to minimize your WiFi needs and maximize speed. Once you’ve got the network set up you can add your server/storage/whatever other toys you like easily learning as you go.”
Bigger Picture / Why It Matters
Labor costs keep rising across the board, which is why online education has gained significant ground, breaking down generational barriers and helping people acquire a wide range of DIY skills. Whether your goal is to save money by taking on these projects or you simply enjoy the challenge, you come out a winner either way!
