Do your own painting prep. 
You can cut back significantly on the amount of work you need to pay a contractor to do by scraping the old paint, cleaning the surfaces and doing some of the easy painting yourself.

Consider a gutter cleaning contract. 
If you need your gutters cleaned at least yearly, ask if your contractor offers a repeat business deal. It may require more cash upfront, but most contractors will give you a much better price for guaranteed business, says Anthony Kulikowski, owner of Five Star Painting in South Bend, Indiana.

Rent a power washer for your driveway and patio. 
Power washing hard, flat ground surfaces doesn’t require the same expertise as power washing home siding or rooftops. You can rent a machine for around $50 per day from your local hardware store and handle the task on your own, rather than paying around $100 an hour for someone else to do it.

Make your own cleaner. 
Clearing off dirt that has built up on your exterior windows can improve the light inside your home. Instead of buying a cleaner at the store, combine 3 gallons of water, 1 pint of rubbing alcohol and a capful of dish detergent. Mix well.

Save with LED exterior bulbs.
After switching to LED bulbs, use Energy Star–qualified outdoor fixtures with automatic daylight shutoff and motion sensors to save even more.

Cut water bills.
The do-it-yourself drip systems available at hardware stores are an easy way to slash your summer water bills. They start at under $100 and can use up to 50 percent less water than a standard sprinkler system.

Facelift your furniture.
A few coats of spray paint, new pillows and an upgraded umbrella can bring life to outdoor tables and chairs. Add weather-resistant covers (even a simple tarp will do).