Tips to avoid home repair ripoffs

There are some simple home repairs you can do yourself that may help you save time and money.

News13 spoke with an associate at The Home Depot to find out what you need to do the repairs and to see just how easy they are. 

One way to save money is to buy foam Weatherseal and put it around electrical outlets, light switches and windows. 

The seal helps keep air and moisture out.  The Weatherseal for electrical outlets and light switches comes pre-cut, so all you have to do is unscrew the plate and place the foam underneath.

Another money saving tip, is using caulk to fill in the gaps in windows and doors.  This trick helps keep air and moisture out and may even lower your utility costs.  To tell if air is getting into your home, shine a flashlight around the seal, preferably at night and if you see light coming in, then air is probably coming in too. 

Another fairly simple do-it-yourself task is installing a pet door.  But our expert says that takes time, concentration, and attention to detail. 

Finally, installing a programmable thermostat. 

The thermostats come with easy to follow instructions and programming them to fit your schedule might turn into saving on your energy bill. 

Associates at The Home Depot say, if you’re going to tackle an at home project, make sure you ask questions and read all the directions.