Prioritize Home Repairs to Save Money – and Your Marriage.
Some people fix everything the moment it breaks. To save money, repairs become a do-it-yourself project. For the rest of us, deciding what to repair and when becomes a question of priority.
Home repair expert Mark Clement, who lends his know-how to the website myfixituplife.com, suggests dividing your list into a few categories:
- Fix it now. Do not count your pennies when anything that qualifies as an emergency or catastrophe occurs. These are easy to recognize: Your roof caves in, a window breaks, a pipe bursts in your kitchen wall, you are on fire.
- Fix it soon. Less dramatic but still urgent: Leaks. “If you see a wet spot on your ceiling or wall, you want to get ahead of that right away,” Clement says. “If you let it go, you open yourself up to all kinds of damage, including mold.” Similarly, fix your leaky roof. It’s more urgent than new bathroom fixtures.
- Fix it regularly. There is nothing exciting about changing the air filters on your heating and cooling system, but failing to do so every couple of months slows down your system — and worsens your air quality. Caulk around windows and doors; make sure your sprinklers aren’t “watering” your house; have your home inspected for termites. “Nonsexy items are easy quick fixes,” Clement says.
- Fix it already. Did you start a big project last year then ran out of gas? Fix it now. No really. Don’t spend a single minute or 25 cents on a new project until the last one is completed. Otherwise, in Clement’s opinion, you may need to “fix” your marriage.
- Fix it wisely. Have you checked off items #1 through 4? You are ready to consider discretionary repairs. These include anything from ugly aluminum windows to cracked kitchen countertops, disabled dishwashers and falling-down fences. What you fix first is up to you, but consider:
- Structural or practical improvements, such as energy-efficient windows, pay dividends in energy saved and may qualify you for government rebates. They also add to your home’s perceived value.
- Remodeled kitchens and/or new appliances that bring your home up to the neighborhood standard may help you fetch a competitive price. Don’t go overboard, though — too much (money) is too much and won’t pay a return.
- Any repair that improves your home’s functionality or security is a plus.
- If you’re looking for an inexpensive pick-me-up, try paint.
Finally, if you’re hoping to squeeze in a few more repairs by squeezing out the contractor (and doing them yourself), make sure you have the skills and support you need to get the job done. “If doing this were easy, everyone’s list would be complete,” says Clement.
