If you watch enough television, you can easily convince yourself to take on even the toughest home repairs and renovations. Taking on the wrong repairs solo, however, can be a recipe for disaster. You need to know what’s safe to DIY and what could cost you dearly without a pro. That’s why you need to keep these home repair tips in mind.
Know What’s Considered a Minor or Major Home Repair
It’s crucial for homeowners to know the difference between a minor home issue and a major home repair. A major repair generally involved any issues related to engineering, plumbing or electrical work, and any problem that poses a risk to the structure of your home. These repairs require a skilled professional to complete and those services usually don’t come cheap. Per HomeAdvisor, homeowners can expect to pay an average of $10,736 for a major home repair, but you can shop around to find the best price. You can also do your homework online to ensure you find a reliable contractor, which will reduce stress and future expense. Ask friends and family for recommendations and check reviews online to find a contractor you can trust to get the work right from the start.
Be Prepared to Cover Costs Associated with Major Repairs
Professional quality repairs come with a much higher price tag. Paying for those high costs can be a challenge if you are caught off-guard by major home issues. That’s why it pays to plan ahead for emergency home repairs. You don’t necessarily need to start with $10,000-plus in savings but you should aim to put away about 1 percent of the value of your home to cover unexpected repairs costs. This will help offset some of the expense, but if you get hit with a serious home issue, such as foundation issues, you may need to find other financial resources to help. You can use credit cards, savings, or even home equity loans to finance those home repairs, but you may need to research to see which is the least costly option for your budget.
Know What Minor Repairs You Can Tackle on Your Own
If you’re still reeling from the costs of major home repairs, know that relief is in sight! While major fixes can be expensive, many of the most common repairs are ones that homeowners can easily DIY. For example, with some spackle and a little elbow grease, you can quickly patch up holes in your wall and save yourself hundreds of dollars in contractor fees. You can also keep DIY and pro home repair costs low by taking care of routine home maintenance on your own. Clear out gutters often to keep water from damaging your roof or foundation, and make sure pipes are properly insulated before freezing temps hit so you can avoid a plumbing disaster. Keeping track of home maintenance is one of the easiest DIY projects to avoid costly repairs.
Call a Handyman Service for Minor Repairs You Can’t DIY
There are many home repairs that you can complete without calling a contractor. You just need a set of basic tools and some extra time, but some homeowners still may not feel comfortable completing repairs on their own. If this is the case for you, know that you still may be able to get the work you need without the hefty contractor price tag. If you have small repairs or renovations around your home, like a ceiling fan that needs to be replaced or a wall that needs to be repainted, you can save yourself quite a bit of money by using a handyman instead of a licensed contractor. Since you are still hiring someone to work on and in your home, you still need to do your homework and ask for recommendations. You don’t, however, need to worry about licensing for these minor home projects and repairs.
Don’t get yourself in a bind by attempting major home repairs on your own. Unless you are a contractor, leave those projects to actual professionals. Doing so can save you money and will definitely save you a lot of stress.
Written by Julian Lane at thefixitchamp.com