ArcaMax

Caulk around the windows in your home to prevent warm air from escaping during the cold winter months. When the temperature drops, hold a lit candle in front of an old window and notice if the flame flickers. If it does, the window is leaking heated air outside, wasting energy as it goes out. All you need is a cartridge of good quality caulk and a metal caulk gun to apply it, so it’s a no-brainer and one of the best bangs for your buck. You can conserve energy dollars because it is easy to do, and the material and tools are inexpensive.

Operating a caulk gun can look intimidating, but once you use it a few times you’ll see how it works. Put the cartridge into the gun, puncture the caulk tube with a utility knife or nail, pull the trigger of the gun and caulk squeezes out of the tube nozzle. When you stop squeezing the trigger, the flow of caulk stops. You won't find a better beginner DIY job than this one, because you’ll learn an on-the-job skill you’ll use many times in your life as a homeowner.

A handyman will charge $355 to caulk six average size double-hung windows, which includes the labor and material. You can do the job for $75, the cost of a caulk gun and 12 cartridges of caulk. You'll need a ladder to reach the outside of the windows on the first floor and an extension ladder for windows on the second floor of a house.

Pro Cost: $355 — DIY Cost: $75 — Pro time: 8.3
DIY Time: 10.0 — DIY Savings: $280 — Percent Saved: 79%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

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