| If you're a new homeowner, you might be surprised at | | | | this job is minimal. On the other hand, if you don't |
| how quickly the home repair bills can start adding up. | | | | maintain your gutters, the water could start flowing into |
| Some people never even consider setting aside a | | | | the walls of your home, costing thousands of dollars in |
| monthly budget for problems around the house, but the | | | | water damage, mold problems, and more. Spend at |
| fact of the matter is that you don't have a landlord you | | | | least one day a week cleaning and one day a month |
| can call anymore if something breaks. There are a | | | | checking over your home for basic maintenance |
| few ways, however, that you can keep home repair | | | | problems. |
| costs fairly low. | | | | Avoid hiring contractors for weekend jobs |
| Pick up a hammer | | | | Again, labor will account for most of your cost if you |
| By far, you'll spend more on labor than you will on | | | | have to hire a contractor to make a repair. That labor |
| materials for most home repairs. This is especially true | | | | cost will skyrocket if you need the problem fixed on a |
| when you need someone with licensing, not just a | | | | weekend. Some home repairs just can't wait. For |
| general handyman - plumbers, electricians, and other | | | | example, if your upstairs bathroom is flooding and |
| certified contractors charge a lot of money to come | | | | causing water damage to the level below, you |
| out to your house and make repairs. Pick up that | | | | probably want to call a plumber, even if it is a Sunday. |
| hammer yourself and learn how to fix some of the | | | | However, if you can avoid hiring people for weekend |
| most common problems around your home. There are | | | | work, do so. Many times, the problem can wait until |
| certain issues you should leave to the professionals; | | | | Monday with little inconvenience to your family. |
| after all, you don't want to cause more problems than | | | | Purchase the materials yourself |
| you solve. However, simple problems around the | | | | Along with labor, some of the cost of the project will |
| house like leaky faucets, holes in your drywall, and | | | | go into materials. Most contractors will offer to |
| perpetually running toilets can often be fixed with | | | | purchase whatever you need for the job, but keep in |
| minimal time and effort. What would cost you | | | | mind that they may not be making the most |
| hundreds of dollars can be fixed for until $20 in some | | | | cost-efficient choices. They could also mark up the |
| cases, as long as you're willing to do the work yourself. | | | | price of the materials, and many do since it is an extra |
| If you aren't confident in your skills, hire a contractor, | | | | convenience for you that they are providing them. For |
| but offer to pitch in to get the job done. When a | | | | any repair, ask for a quote for just the labor as well as |
| contractor doesn't have to bring an extra person along | | | | a quote for labor plus materials. You might be able to |
| to complete the job, they'll be less expensive. You can | | | | save a lot of money by picking up the materials at |
| learn a lot from handymen, and by spending some time | | | | your local home improvement store yourself - just be |
| putting work into your home, you'll soon learn how to | | | | sure to have your contractor write down exactly what |
| make many small repairs on your own. Don't forget | | | | you need, including sizes and measurements. |
| that you can also head to your local home | | | | Be loyal to one contractor |
| improvement store to check out if there are any free | | | | The world of home improvement and contracting can |
| classes available. You'll be amazed at how many | | | | be very competitive. Don't think that your contractors |
| stores offer lessons on tiling, wallpapering, using power | | | | won't notice if you come back again and again for |
| tools, and more. | | | | their services. Some even have referral programs, |
| Maintain your home | | | | where you'll earn money off their next visit for every |
| Many home repairs are needed simply because the | | | | new customer they gain through your word of mouth |
| homeowner didn't do a very good job with simple | | | | advertising. It's all about scratching backs. If you |
| maintenance. If you keep your home clean and take | | | | mention to your book club that Smith's Plumbing is the |
| care of little problems from the start, you'll avoid major | | | | best in town, he'll be inclined to give you a discount, |
| issues that could end up really running up the bill with | | | | even if you call him on Sunday. Loyalty means a lot in |
| your contractor. For example, if you keep your gutters | | | | this industry, so find a handyman you like and stick with |
| clean by removing debris once or twice a year, it won't | | | | him through all of your home projects. |
| have a chance to back up. The time commitment for | | | | |