Home repairs are one of the biggest expenses of being a homeowner. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the cost of home repairs. Here are just a few ways to make home repairs less expensive.
Know when to go DIY
Taking on repairs yourself can save you the cost of having to hire contractors. However, you should be careful of which repair jobs you attempt. If you’re not DIY-savvy you could botch up the repair and then pay more to get this fixed. There are also some jobs such as electrics and roof repair that can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. The key with any home repairs is to do your research. How-to blogs and YouTube tutorials can be great for teaching DIY skills.
Use your network
There may be people in your close network with handyman experience that you can call upon. They may be able to offer their services at a discount or even for free (providing it’s not a major repair). Such people are also likely to be trustworthy if you know them relatively well.
Shop around for contractors
If you decide to use contractors, make sure to shop around. By collecting lots of quotes, you can find the best price. Make sure to also research into the reputation of contractors so that you hire a company with a good track record. Positive reviews and glowing testimonials are often a sign that a company is reliable and trustworthy.
Source your own parts and materials
Many contractors are able to source parts and materials for you, but it could be cheaper to source them yourself. Contractors will generally try to make a profit on any parts or materials that they have to buy, so you’re better off buying yourself directly. You can find niche parts such as Berkeley pumps online for affordable prices. You can also find discounted materials online by opting for reclaimed materials.
Time it right
If the repairs don’t need to be made urgently, it could be worth waiting until the right time to schedule repairs. You’ll often find that many contractors lower their prices in January when there’s less demand (fewer people can afford repairs after Christmas and so many companies reduce their prices to attract business). Certain repairs may also have a seasonal demand – you may find that looking into repairs out of season saves you money. For instance, heating system repairs are generally cheaper in summer, while air conditioning unit repairs are cheaper in winter.
Take preventative action
The best way to save money on home repairs is to take preventative action where possible. When making upgrades to your home or buying new appliances, don’t just settle for cheap low-quality options. Investing in decent appliances that are built to last and hire professional companies to carry out renovations so that you know you’re getting high quality results. Certain repairs can also be cheaper when made early. For instance, it pays to fix leaks from pipes early – ignoring them for some time could result in water damage to walls and ceilings, plus your water bill is likely to be very high.
Contributed Post.
If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.
And thanks for reading! 🙂
lifespaceblog 