Top 100 Online Tools for the DIY Homeowner

Top 100 Online Tools for the DIY Homeowner

Many homeowners, regardless of whether or not they elect to build a new living space or buy a preexisting one, enjoy living a DIY lifestyle that minimizes their reliance on other people and helps them save money in the long run. Unsurprisingly, the internet has attracted a broad and diverse network of home repair, improvement, and decorating enthusiasts who enjoy sharing projects and convenient resources to help one another in their endeavors. The following websites offer up some excellent tools and resources on everything from personal finances to improvement projects and even craft patterns for home décor in order to inspire and educate homeowners interested in doing as much as they can for themselves.

Calculators/Personal Finance

1. Mortgage Calculators : Bankrate offers a staggering variety of mortgage calculators for everything from basic financing to how much remodeling will set a bank account back – and anything in between.

2. Credit Card Calculators : Work through almost every aspect of credit card-related finances with these 10 specialized calculators hosted by Bankrate.

3. Auto Calculators : Cars eat up a healthy amount of one’s personal finances, and with these detailed, informative calculators it is possible to gain a clearer picture of what their purchase and upkeep will cost.

4. Checking & Savings Calculators : All of these useful savings calculators help keep homeowners keep better track of their expenditures and see where their money is or should be going.

5. Retirement Calculators : Homeowners looking forward to retirement would do well to explore all of the related calculators Bankrate has to offer – many of which concern 401 (kplans and Roth IRAs.

6.  CDs & Investment Calculators : Another Bankrate venture, these calculators make useful tools for homeowners hoping to invest some of their money in order to pay for college, home additions, a car, or other needs.

7.  BobVila.com Estimators & Calculators : Homeowners hoping to remodel or add on to their houses would do well to explore Bob Vila’s calculator offerings centered on estimates.

8. IRS.gov Forms and Publications : DIY-oriented homeowners with no need for accountants must stop by the official online presence of the IRS for information on the necessary forms and procedures for filing tax returns.

Home Building/Improvement

9. ePlans.com : This one-stop shop for home building allows visitors to search for blueprints and plans for thousands of different living spaces as well as additions, modifications, and a cost to build estimator for $29.95.

10. The Home Renovator : Home improvement expert Bob Vila provides a suite of estimators for drywall, paint, ceramic tile, batt insulation, and acoustical ceiling tile.

11. Deck Designer : Run this program to create 3D renderings of custom-designed decks along with a helpful materials guide and tips for installing and constructing one.

12. Paint Designer : No matter if the job at hand is to be done indoors or out, the Paint Designer tool helps homeowners pick appropriate colors and paints for their needs and wants.

13. Home Plans : Browse or search for blueprints for whole houses or specific rooms courtesy of Bob Vila and Donald A. Gardner Architects.

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