Basic Home Repairs Anyone Can Do — Shelves, Lightbulbs, and More

You do not need to be handy to handle the three repairs that come up most often. Changing a lightbulb: turn off the switch, let the old bulb cool, twist counterclockwise to remove, twist the new one clockwise. Match the wattage and socket type. Hanging a shelf: use a stud finder or knock on the wall to find solid wood behind the drywall. Mark your holes with a level, drill pilot holes, and screw in the brackets. If there is no stud, use appropriate wall anchors rated for your shelf's weight.

Fixing a running toilet is usually just the flapper valve at the bottom of the tank — they wear out and cost a couple of dollars to replace. Lift the tank lid, flush, and watch. If water keeps flowing after the flapper drops, replace it. These three skills alone save hundreds of dollars a year in handyman calls.