Friday, 17 February 2023

7 Ways to Avoid Pricey Home-Repair Surprises in 2023

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7 Ways to Avoid Pricey Home-Repair Surprises in 2023

Shuffle Pictures / Shutterstock.com

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder.

For many of us, there’s nothing quite like spending a lot of time at home noticing the literal (or metaphorical) cracks in the foundation.

Maybe your kitchen could use a makeover, or maybe you have appliances that are in dire need of replacement (or even a combination of both).

Whatever it is, the home maintenance and remodeling industry has been on a tremendous uptrend for years, and while experts predict it could slow in 2023 (by about 7.4%, according to the Joint Center for Remodeling Futures Program Harvard University Housing Studies) – “Slow” isn’t quite the word we would choose for this $400 billion industry.

In fact, Angie’s List (now Angi) found that the average household spend on home-related projects in 2022 was $12,904, with a whopping $8,484 of that going on home improvement and $2,467 on home maintenance.

So if you’re one of the many people trying to outline your home project plans for 2023, read on.

We’ve got seven of our top penny hoarding tips here to help you get the most of your remodeling and maintenance budget.

1. Don’t ignore your home’s cries for help

Washing machine with a water leakTommy Stock Project / Shutterstock.com

Your house can’t talk, but it can send you messages. If it’s crying out for help, ignoring the message could cost you money later.

Don’t ignore home repairs and you’ll save in the long run. Here are seven you can’t put off.

  1. Everything that has to do with water. A small wet spot can be a sign of a leak. Eventually this leak will grow and potentially destroy floors, walls, furniture and more. A leaky faucet, a running toilet, or a leaking water heater can cost you more water than the repair.
  2. Everything to do with electricity. Flickering lights, bad outlets or switches, tripping circuit breakers, and GFI outlets that won’t reset can be signs of electrical problems that can lead to fires.
  3. pests. Rodents and bugs can do a lot of damage if left alone.
  4. Seal and paint peeling. Once the protective seal or paint is gone, water gets in and causes damage.
  5. Broken or non-working air conditioning. Problems with your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) can mean you’re too sweaty or too cold. But temperature fluctuations in the house can cause problems. Extra moisture could cause mold and cold temperatures could freeze pipes.
  6. cracks. Small cracks are normal. They are not large or changing cracks.
  7. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Working detectors save lives. Change the batteries regularly.
  8. Darkening of ceilings near fireplaces. Dark places or a sooty smell can mean the chimney isn’t drafting properly, allowing deadly gases to get inside.

2. Keep up to date with home maintenance

senior man elder home repair african american hispanicBy Rob Marmion / Shutterstock.com

Maintenance is usually cheaper than repairs. So by keeping up with the checks around your home, you can avoid a higher repair bill down the road. It’s wise to figure out how much to budget for upkeep of your home. Here are the things to consider:

  • prevent moisture problems. Water can be evil when it shows up in places where it shouldn’t be. Routinely check your gutters, sump pump, water heater, faucet, drain, septic tank, and irrigation system.
  • Maintain equipment and facilities. Perform annual HVAC maintenance and change filters regularly. Check the plumbing in the laundry room and clean the dryer vent. Change the filter and clean the extractor hood in the kitchen.
  • Maintain the exterior. Keep dirt out of the house so water can drain properly. Examine the paint and trim to make sure they look good and do their job of protecting your home. Seal the openings regularly. Inspect chimneys. Service the electric garage door.

Financial experts recommend setting aside about $200 a month for home maintenance. That way you have $2,400 a year that can hopefully cover maintenance and any potential repairs.

3. Knowing when to DIY and when to hire a pro

Young couple DIY home repairsStakkets / Shutterstock.com

Sometimes it is necessary to call in the professionals when it comes to house maintenance or home improvement projects.

Do you really want to DIY and regret it?

If you decide to DIY or hire a professional, ask yourself how much experience you really have. On TV or in a YouTube video, it often looks easier than it really is.

Experts say you should avoid anything involving electricity (especially 220 circuits) or water unless you have experience. Things can go bad very quickly.

4. Get quotes for home projects

Young couple reviews plans with a contractorSean Locke Photography / Shutterstock.com

If you need professional help with your home, getting quotes on home projects can save you a lot of money and time.

A professional DIYer can do a variety of jobs, such as: It can be helpful to make a list of the tasks you want to get done so you can prioritize them if you’re only hiring a handyman for a few hours.

When looking for the right expert for your home project:

  • Learn more about the project by watching videos. This will help you identify if someone’s time estimate seems far off.
  • Ask for recommendations. Neighbors, friends and family often know good people doing good work. Also, real estate agents can tell you who they recommend to get houses ready for sale.
  • Websites and apps make it easy to research who can do what you need. Some even allow you to post a request for someone to bid on your project.
  • Read reviews before hiring someone.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and discuss exactly what the estimate entails and what the payment terms are. It’s your home and your budget.

5. Do what you can to reduce utility bills

Woman adjusting her thermostatinsta_photos / Shutterstock.com

A few simple things can help you get lower utility bills every month.

  • Seal cracks and leaks.
  • Upgrade to more energy efficient devices.
  • use fans.
  • Air dry laundry as much as possible.
  • Conversion to LED lighting.

You can also save on other utility bills by being mindful of your consumption habits. For example, some simple reductions in water usage could mean saving money on water bills.

6. Know what your home insurance covers

water damageFreedom365day / Shutterstock.com

Disasters or repairs can ruin your budget. Homeowners insurance can help protect your property and belongings from damage and loss. It also offers liability insurance.

But it’s not always easy to know what’s covered and what’s not. And when is it worth complaining about?

Not all homeowner policies are created equal, and they can also vary greatly depending on where you live and what type of apartment you live in. It’s important to understand when it can help you – and when it can’t. This article tells you what home insurance covers.

7. Homebuyers: Don’t skip home inspections

Man carries out inspection on a houseKurhan / Shutterstock.com

When you’re ready to dive into the world of homeownership or move into a new home, don’t get so excited that you make a big mistake.

Following this 8-point home inspection checklist might ruin your plans, but it will also prevent buyer remorse if you’ve fallen in love with a money pit.

Inspectors look at more than 1,000 things in a house. Generally these things are:

  • Structural Components
  • Roof
  • Loft and insulation
  • HVAC systems
  • plumbing and water
  • electrics and wiring
  • Outside the house
  • domestic appliances

In today’s real estate market, not having to inspect your property could make your offer more attractive to the seller, but the average inspection cost of $350 could save you thousands of dollars.

The post 7 Ways to Avoid Pricey Home-Repair Surprises in 2023 first appeared on Best Plumbers News.



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