DIY home guide: Spring
How to protect the value of your property, cut energy costs, avoid costly repairs, and spiff up your surroundings this spring.
Patch peeling paint
Cost: $35 for a can of high-quality paint, $20 for primer
Now's the time to see how your house survived the winter. Walk around the outside, looking for peeling, cracking, or flaking paint. Scrape off the old paint, then prime and paint two coats on the spot.
Small annual touchups will push back the day you need a full paint job, which can run $3,000 to $10,000 for a 2,500-square-foot house.
NEXT: Renew your lawn
Last updated January 28 2011: 4:30 PM ET
