No matter how much you love your home, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to do some work on it at some point. Every house needs repairs when it has been around for several years. And most homeowners eventually decide that they want to add on or do something different with a room, so they end up remodeling.

Whether you’re making repairs or improvements, doing it yourself is a great way to save money. You can use the money that you save by not having to pay for labor to increase the scope of the project, or you can hold onto it to use for something else. But that’s not the only way you can save money on DIY projects.

When you hire a contractor, you usually have little say in the materials used. But when you’re in charge, you can shop around for the best deals. Here are some tips that will help you save money on materials.

* Make sure that you use materials that are appropriate for the job. If you buy materials that aren’t strong enough or aren’t intended for the purpose you’re using them for, the results could be disastrous. So don’t skimp in the interest of saving a buck or two. Instead, look for the best deals on materials that are right for the job.

* If you’re checking prices in local shops, make a list of everything you’ll need. Then go to one store at a time, and write down the price of each item. Compare prices when you’re finished. If one store has the lowest price on most items, consider doing all of your shopping there instead of making trips back to every store. Unless another store has a much lower price on an expensive item, you’re usually better off saving your gas.

* Check prices online. Large hardware stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot have websites where you can check prices and availability at any location. Take advantage of this capability and save yourself some gas. And don’t forget to check with online-only stores as well.

* Consider buying used when possible. You can get great deals on light fixtures, faucets and many other items at garage sales and flea markets. Estate sales are another source of great deals on things you might be able to use.

You can save lots of money by doing projects around the house yourself. And if you’re willing to do some comparison shopping, you can save even more. So don’t just walk into the nearest hardware store and throw everything in your cart. Taking the time to compare prices before you buy could seriously cut the cost of the project.