How to Save Money on Home Repair Without Sacrificing Quality
Home repairs are a part of life just like fixing your car and maintaining your own health, and it can be just as costly. Fortunately, there are many money saving tips that will help you cut the costs without sacrificing the quality of your home repairs.
It’s important that you address the issues in and around your home because ignored repairs could lead to injuries. Did you know that injuries from falling (including those dreaded slips and trips kids are prone to) account for roughly 25% of all injury claims reported in a fiscal year? That’s scary!
If you’ve been looking for ways to plan and execute your home repairs that won’t break the bank, this article is just what you need. Without further ado, let’s get right into those money saving tips!
Pick Your Contractor’s Brains
Your contractor (or even a friend in the contractor business) can be very useful if you’re willing to ask. They have many leftover odds and ends after their projects that just gather dust in their storage places. If you ask nicely, many contractors won’t mind giving them to you at a fraction of the price you’d pay in supply stores. And if you’re lucky, you might just get a few things for free.
Contractors also have a lot of knowledge on how to cut costs on repairs and how to save money in creative ways. Don’t be shy to seek advice and guidance, you’d be surprised by what they tell you! For example, by installing new windows, a home can save about $456 on energy costs! There are many facts that contractors will share with people who are willing to ask.
DIY!
You can save a lot of money if you’re prepared to do a bit of hard work yourself. Fixing minor things like broken cupboards and loose floorboards shouldn’t be too difficult a task. You can also do tasks like painting and power washing parts of your home on your own. It can be very rewarding to do things yourself, and you could pick up new skills.
Call In a Professional
This may seem like a contradiction to the previous money saving tip, but some jobs are better left to professionals. Repairs that call for expertise, such as repairing your home’s foundation, shouldn’t be taken lightly. Foundation repair companies are always very careful when raising and stabilizing homes, and this isn’t something you can do on your own.
Do Lots of Preventative Maintenance
A stitch in time saves nine, and preventative maintenance on your home can save you a lot of money on expensive repairs. Routinely check your plumbing, for example, to avoid costly water damage.
Don’t Rush
One of the best things you can do when starting home repairs is to take your time. Make your repair plans, come up with a realistic budget, and do not rush any part of it. These repairs can become overwhelming once you start, so give yourself time to find the most urgent problems and fix them before moving on to the next repairs.
Keep an Eye Open For Sales
Sales of the things you need to repair your home can happen randomly, so it’s a good idea to closely watch your favorite stores for bargains you could miss otherwise. Events such as Black Friday and store-specific sales and giveaways can help you save lots of money!
Keep Calm and Expect the Unexpected
One of the best money saving tips out there is to put money away for unexpected accidents and problems. If you live in an older home, you may be stuck with residual damage (it’s actually very common), and not all cracks will close. About 20% of them will remain even when you try repairing them, with 70% being fixed and the rest becoming worse. Just keep calm and do your best!