If you are like most Americans you have a laundry list of things you want to or need to do to repair your home. Most homes are works in progress. It seems like you finish one project and there is another one waiting in the wings.
Simple repairs are a constant need in your home and are easy to figure out. Things break and you have to address them or things get worse. How do you prioritize the list of things to get done when it comes to the bigger repairs? You want to repair your home with an eye on a return to your investment.
What Are the Bigger Repairs Most Homes Can Benefit From?
There are two types of repairs when it comes to any home. The shortlist of simple repairs is more maintenance than repairs. Simple repairs include things like HVAC maintenance, replacing plumbing fixtures like faucets, or performing light repairs on your home’s lighting fixtures. They are the more common everyday activities that are needed to keep your home running smoothly. The bigger repairs are the more expensive repairs.
About 85% of homes in the US were built pre 1985 and are in desperate need of major repairs. Balancing all the wants and needs when it comes to where you put your money to repair your home can be a challenge when you live in an older home. There is typically a lot to get done.
There are ways you can prioritize your list when you repair your home. Here are some suggestions to get your list together:
- Make safety a priority. If you need AC repair services, get them done first, especially if you live in a climate where AC is a must. It is a safety issue not to cool your home in extreme heat.
- When you are looking for ways to repair your home and want to make a priority list start at the top. Consider replacing your roof. It will add value to your home and ensure your home is protected.
- How old is your water heater? When you repair your home you want to make sure that you tick off all the “infrastructure” repairs first.
As you can tell from the suggestions above, there are three systems in your home that deserve attention first. A lot of people panic at the thought of having their roof replaced because of the cost. A roofing company can have options for you that can give you a brand new roof without having to rip the old one off. Re-roofing options build a roof right over your old roof. It is a less expensive option that adds great value to your home and your lifestyle.
Changing out your old water heater for a new one before it breaks can save you a lot of stress, and will cut back on energy costs. Of course, your HVAC is vitally important to your home and if it is in need of repairs or replacement it has to be a priority when you repair your home.
Once you have your priority list done, you can move on to the other things that you “want” to get done. Your high priority list can also be a great way to add value and repair your home. For example, adding new silicone and SPF roof systems can add immediate value to your home and make your home more energy-efficient. It is a win-win situation for you and your home.
Of course, another great benefit when you repair your home and it includes repairs to the main system of your home is that you likely will not have to worry about that system for a decade or more. With minimal maintenance activities for your roof, HVAC, and water heating system, you can have worry-free operations for a decade or more.
Repair Your Home and Upgrade Your Lifestyle
When you repair your home there are different types of returns you get on your investment. For example, sometimes the ROI is in adding resale value to your house, in other cases the return comes in the form of improving your lifestyle.
Let’s say you need garage door repairs because your opener stopped working last year. You can still get the door up and down but you have to get in and out of your vehicles to open and close the door. Getting those repairs done will improve how you live in your house. In this case, it will also improve the value of your home a little bit as well.
When you repair your home with lifestyle value increase in mind you are making repairs not really based on need but on want but in some cases, the needs and wants do collide. The result when the needs and wants collide is that you get to ante up your lifestyle while the value of your home gets a boost.
We will use your garage doors that have not functioned right since last year as an example. Calling on a trusted residential garage doors service will get your garage doors repaired. This is likely something you want and it fulfills a need to have a functional home. When you repair your home and it addresses the things that have been bugging you for a while, you will be amazed at how much that repair can reduce stress. Many times homeowners learn to live with things that are in disrepair and do not realize how much it is actually bothering them.
When you repair your home address the things that really annoy you, like your kitchen cabinets that are old and outdated. It can be far more satisfying to repair your home to adjust the space to your lifestyle.
If you worry about your home’s security a lot, you can repair your home to fix that problem and rest easier. When it comes to locks and security, it is always best to leave it up to the pros. Call your local locksmith company, have new locks installed, and consider installing an alarm system. You may be wondering how changing locks and adding a security system is a way to repair your home. If you consider that you feel like the security of your home is not up to par, then fixing that problem is a repair.
How Can You Repair Your Home On a Budget?
If you are working with a tight budget and you want to repair your home there are ways you can repair your home on a budget. Of course, you are going to have to invest some sweat equity. That means you are going to have to roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself or at least do part of the work yourself to save.
Some projects you can do completely on your own with even minimal DIY experience. Landscaping is a good example of a DIY project that anyone can do. You can make your landscaping pop by doing some simple things like:
- Improving your lawn. This may be an ongoing project but a lush green lawn really adds some wow factor to your home’s curb appeal.
- Plant flower beds and add some decorative bark dust to make them really stand out.
- Address erosion problems. Some gravel, a shovel to dig some trenches, and you can be on your way to controlling your drainage and erosion issues.
Landscaping can add about 14% to your home resale value. Doing the work on your own will cost you just for tools and materials. Of course, before you start any DIY project you want to get quotes from professionals. Compare the cost of the materials that you will have to buy and assign a cost to the amount of time it will take you then compare it to the cost of having the project professionally done. In some cases, you will save money doing things DIY in other cases, the cost will be very close to what you will pay a contractor.
Other projects you can do as a DIY project include painting, wallpapering, some flooring projects, and more depending on your skillset. Typically, cosmetic work is easier to manage as a DIY project than those jobs that require heavy equipment or materials. Let’s put it this way, if you are a novice DIY’er and you find yourself looking for an electric forklift for sale to move materials, you may be a little bit out of your league.
Some projects can be a combination of professional and DIY efforts. For example, you decide that you will reface your kitchen cabinets to save some money. It will likely be best that you get the help of a professional laser cutting company to ensure that your refacing is done to accurate measurements, then you can install it on your own.
Other ways to save when you repair your home include:
- Ask about discounts. Many contractors offer discounts for special groups like veterans. If you do not ask about the discounts you may not get a discount. It never hurts to ask.
- Take advantage of specials. Many times contractors will offer special rates during different times of the year. For example, springtime is usually a very busy season for roofers, but in the fall business dies down a bit, you may be able to save on repairs during the offseason. Keep your eyes peeled for savings offers.
- Negotiate. It is perfectly okay to negotiate with contractors for a lower price.
When you repair your home if you are like most homeowners you are working with a budget. Making sure that you stay within the budget may require that you put in the work to get the pricing that you need. When you are requesting quotes for services always be sure that you get three price quotes.
Keep in mind when you are comparing quotes that the lowest price does not always mean the best value. You want to consider warranty, included services, and the reputation of the company when you are making decisions about which contractor to go with.
No matter what types of repairs you are making you want to be sure that you get the best value from your service provider. Following are some tips for getting the best value when you repair your home.
Choosing a Contractor When You Repair Your Home
There are some signs you should look for that go beyond pricing when you need to choose a contractor. Ensuring that you are making the right choice is critical to the success of your repairs. Here are some tips for choosing the right contractor for your repairs:
- Pricing is important but so is experience. You may get some low ball pricing from contractors that are not experienced. You have to weigh out the good and the bad of hiring someone that lacks the experience to get that lower pricing. A good rule of thumb is less experience is okay for a clear cut without obstacles project. The more complex the project, the more experience you should look for.
- Reputations are earned. A contractor with a five-star rating worked hard for that rating. Read reviews and see what other people that have worked with the contractor have to say. Reviews are a great way to gather more information about a contractor.
- Ask for references or to see a portfolio. If you are hiring a carpenter or other skilled trade person, they should have a portfolio of the projects that they have done. If they do not have a portfolio (some service providers will not) ask for references, then check the references.
You always want to be sure that you choose a contractor to repair your home that is licensed and insured in their specialty. A contractor that has taken the time to secure a license and insurance is one that is serious about their business.
Like all things done right, when you repair your home it is a process. You start at the very beginning with your list, then you move through all the steps to include choosing a contractor that provides the services that you need. This is your home it is worth the extra effort to ensure you get the value that you need when you repair your home.