Home repair guides you can watch.
Short video walkthroughs of common home repair jobs in San Diego County. Each guide has step-by-step instructions and a stop line for when to call a pro.
Free project tool
Pick a project and a region of San Diego County. Get scope details and questions to help compare written quotes. No email required. The planner does not quote a price or a schedule.
Handyman quote planner & cost factors
The quote planner walks project types, San Diego County regions, and condition levels so you can prepare questions before you call. It does not output a price.
Open the quote plannerHandyman job or something else
Two guides on scope: handyman vs general contractor, and DIY vs hiring. Read them before you hire.
DIY guides on this site
How to re-caulk your bathtub
Cracked or separated caulk can let water into the tub surround. A durable replacement starts with the sealant label, a clean joint, and enough dry time for the specific product.
How to fix a sticking door
A door can stick because of loose hinges, seasonal movement, paint buildup, a shifted frame, or a damaged door. Diagnose the contact point before removing material.
How to hang a heavy shelf on drywall
A loaded shelf is only as strong as its wall, brackets, fasteners, and installation. Use studs when the shelf or its contents are heavy, valuable, or likely to be pulled or bumped.
How to touch up interior paint
A small scuff or repair may accept a touch-up, but the blend depends on matching the color, sheen, surface texture, and original application method. Test the result after it dries.
Stop and call a professional when
Signs the repair is past a simple DIY. Stop where you are and call. The wrong repair can make a small job worse.
- New or widening cracks near doors or windows
Especially when several openings start sticking together. That can be building movement, not a door that needs planing.
- Soft or spongy floors, walls, or ceilings
That can mean rot or hidden water damage. Closing the surface before the source is found can trap moisture.
- Any home electrical repair or installation
ESFI recommends a qualified licensed electrician for home electrical work. A DIY guide is not a substitute.
- Water damage with an unknown or active source
Find and stop the leak before repairing the surface. Fresh compound, caulk, or paint will not fix an active leak.
- Work you cannot reach safely
Stop if the job cannot be reached and completed from a properly placed ladder or work platform.
- Permit, licensed-trade, or contractor-scope work
CSLB says licensing is required for projects requiring a permit, using employee labor, or costing $1,000 or more. Check the project with CSLB and the local building department. Price alone is not permission.
Official home repair resources
City of San Diego Permits & Development Services
Check which home repair and improvement projects require a permit in the City of San Diego.
CalFireCalFire Home Hardening & Defensible Space
CalFire publishes home-hardening and vegetation-clearance guidance. Read the linked page for current statewide rules. This card does not state a San Diego-specific clearance distance.
Still stuck. Tell us the job.
If the guide did not solve it, call and we match you with a local pro who quotes the job first.