DIY Renovations for First-time Flippers

 

8 Flipping Renovations for DIY Beginners

Flipping homes can be profitable and fun. Transforming a shabby house into a beautiful, modernized home is the best kind of investment. Of course it's important to plan projects based on both your skill level and your budget. You can save a lot of money on DIY when you choose projects that improve a home's appearance and perfectly match your ability.

If you're still a DIY beginner, there are still tons of ways you can improve the home without hiring contractors. Let's explore some of the best flipping renovations for DIY beginners.

Know Your Renovations by 

The first step is to know which renovation projects are ideal to DIY and which ones might require a contractor. A good rule of thumb is that if it involves altering the utilities or structure, you need a contractor or get personally certified. But if the project only requires things like paint, nails, and fit-together kits, then even a beginner with elbow grease and an eye for good quality can do it right.

 

1. Repaint with Precision

If you're careful and artistic, you can beautifully repaint a home with nothing more than basic supplies.

Use tarps, paper, and painter's tape to draw perfect line so that paint only goes where it's supposed to. Then apply smooth, even coats with rollers and brushes. A fresh coat of paint well-applied can make any home look and feel like new. You can also update a home with a new color palette and attractive accent work.

 

2. Weatherproof Doors and Windows

Improve a home's energy efficiency and your sustainable home marketing by weatherproofing. Install new weather stripping around the doors and the windows that open. Then re-caulk around fixed window pains. This simple upgrade will keep windows from rattling, cause doors to seal more firmly, and improve the HVAC comfort and efficiency of your flipped house.

 

3. Install New Floors

You might be surprised, but new flooring can be a beginner DIY project - as long as you choose the right floors. Roll-out floors like carpet are easiest. Tile can be challenging, but modern flooring materials are easier to work with than ever. Wood boards used to require more advanced skills but luxury vinyl boards fit together in a simple and modular way. Luxury vinyl wood floors are also extremely popular right now as a beautiful, affordable, and durable alternative to hardwood flooring.

 

4. Refinish Kitchen Cabinets

You don't have to rebuild a kitchen to make it look brand new. Refinishing (paint or varnish) or refacing (new surface board) the kitchen cabinets can make them appear modern and new while leaving the cabinet "boxes" and shelves in place. Repaint the shelves and add a few cool organizers to create a fully updated kitchen without going all-out on your budget or exceeding your DIY skills.

 

5. Update the Thermostat

Most people don't realize that changing a thermostat is often quite easy. If the home has an old thermostat, all you need is an updated programmable or smart home model that uses the same built-in connectors. If the thermostat is directly wired in, however, you may need an electrician as you would changing any built-in electrical feature.

 

6. Add Crown Molding

Crown molding can make a plain house look subtly fancier and cover minor flaws near the top and bottom of each wall. You can replace scuffed old crown molding or add crown molding where it wasn't installed before. You can also replace the decorative elements of door frames and window frames to make the entire home appear more modern and cohesive.

 

7. Built-In Shelving and Organizers

You can add new shelves to storage areas and install elegant built-in shelving using flat-pack shelves and a few extra nails to attach the shelves securely to walls and closets. You can also upgrade existing storage spaces with organizer features that screw into the shelves and structure, such as sliding baskets and hanging racks. These upgrades can make a home more functional and appear more "bespoke" while requiring only some basic nails-and-screws carpentry.

 

8. Retile Backsplashes and Bathrooms

Lastly, you can try your hand at tiling. Tiling requires some care and precision (spacers and grout can be tricky) but it does not require any advanced tools, certifications, or special skills. Make sure your tiles are spaced evenly, then carefully clean up the grout before it cures and your new backsplash or bathroom tile can be a beautiful way to update your flip.

 

Managing Your Flips with Leaf Management

If you are flipping homes to rent in this high-demand housing market, you don't have to stop your home-flipping journey to manage the property. With an experienced property management team on your side, you can dive into your next investment and keep building your DIY experience while we handle the tenants. Leaf Management is here to help you live the real estate dream, whether that's building a portfolio or beautiful house flips.