The Three Projects
Some projects no matter how easy they should be end up going very much the way wrong. I know from working on rusty Ohio cars that no matter how straightforward a fix should be it rarely is. Thankfully with working on a house some projects really are that straightforward. The three projects I have done so far that have given me the least amount of headache are the door locks, light switches, and replacing the wall-mounted mailbox.
The Light Switch Project
I would say from the three projects the light switches were the easiest to do as wiring the electrical is almost foolproof. I would still be cautious and make sure the electrical is turned off with a multimeter to be on the safe side but the way a light switch is wired is not of much importance since it is just connecting and disconnecting a connection.
Although the project was super easy there was one area in my home that was rather difficult since the box had wires for the porch light, ceiling fan, and ceiling fan lights. Additionally, just because the project was easy does not mean it was cheap and it also did not add a lot functionally to the home.
The main reason for replacement was for aesthetic purposes but because they are rocker panels they do tend to be easier to use. If I were to rate this project I would say it was a 7/10 since it was super easy, however, it lacks added functionality, and it was time-consuming and slightly costly.
The Front Door Handle
The front door handle was actually easier to replace than the mailbox although the mailbox was only more difficult due to me making it more difficult. The door lock was a couple of screws out and a couple of screws in and it was installed. The metal plate on the frame side was larger and more hefty so I had to buy chisels and add more room which was not the best job done but the plate hit any imperfections. The door when closed leaves a gap if it does not get shut fully and if the bottom lock is used the door can be easily opened without a key.
The solution my wife and I came up with is to use the deadbolt which can only be used when the door is shut flush. The solution is actually good as the deadbolt is much more secure anyway and is easier to lock and unlock. To rate this project I would give it an 8/10 as it was super simple and adds extra security to the home. However, due to needing more tools, the door closing is still not functionally how I want (more specific to my situation), and the added skills of chiseling remove a few points
The Not-so-Easy Mailbox
The most difficult or rather time-consuming project was the wall-mounted mailbox. Although the previous mailbox still functioned it was rusty and badly painted over. When trying to use the template to replace the mailbox I drilled a hole in the wrong area. I am not great at mounting things so I created a hole that would be seen when the mailbox was installed.
The best solution I could come up with was to use a piece of wood as a backing for the mailbox. Using the wood had a few benefits such as hiding the problematic hole, giving clearance for the lid, sealing all previous holes, and having a securely mounted mailbox.
I would give the project a 6/10. The mailbox definitely needed to be replaced but I did not know what I was doing most of the time so from my perspective I would say it was a bit more difficult for a first-time homeowner. However, if someone is better at woodworking, does not need to install the wood, or is good at mounting things then the project is an 8/10 way to increase curb appeal.
Crowning the Easiest Project
Out of the three projects I would say replacing the door locks is the project to do as it increases security and is a low-effort but high-reward project. If you would like to see more content about beginner-friendly do-it-yourself work let me know in the comments. Or if you would like me to reflect on more difficult do-it-yourself projects leave a comment to let me know.