How to Save on Home Repair
“When it rains, it pours” is a saying that is often associated with unexpected and costly home repairs. Repairs related to plumbing, heating, or cooling are among the most expensive home improvement expenditures, but fixing these issues are necessary for your family’s health and quality of life. Clearing a clogged drain can cost as much as $300. Replacing a water heater can cost as much as $4,000. Ouch. These potential repair costs most likely put a damper on your frugal or aspiring frugal lifestyle.
However, it’s possible to save money on necessary or emergency home repairs. Preventative measures are among the biggest ways to save money or offset the costs. It also helps to know basic home repair and the situations that require professional help. Erring either way—hiring professional help for a simple job or attempting a do-it-yourself repair on a major project—can end up costing you more money than necessary. Read on to find out how to save money on costly home repairs.
Get A Home Energy Audit
An audit of your home services can help with identifying the energy use in your home. High energy consumption—whether by electronic devices or poor insulation—translate to expensive home maintenance and repairs. A whole-house audit is helpful for both old and newer homes. Even a 10-year-old home could have improper insulation, which affects the distribution of heat or air conditioning throughout your home.
Before your audit, make sure to let the technician know of existing problems like condensation or drafty rooms. Also have your home energy bills on hand. After the audit, you’ll receive a detailed and customized report of energy savings and recommendations.
Plumbing Repairs on a Penny-Pinching Budget
The cost of a plumbing repair may be a hard pill to swallow. Many plumbers have a minimum charge or a minimum hourly rate that can cost as much as $200, even with a job that takes less than five minutes. However, attempting to repair leaks on your own ignores the seriousness of an issue and could lead to additional damage of your home in the long run.
For example, it seems like an easy fix to use caulking to repair a leak coming from underneath your toilet; however, the problem could be a broken pipe or crack. Covering up a leak or other major home repairs will lead to further damage. Consult a professional before you attempt to repair a leak.
Another way to save money on an emergency plumbing repair is to have the plumber fix at least two non-urgent issues, like a couple of clogged drains and a leaky faucet, in the same visit. This way, you can make the most of the minimum hourly charge.
Cooling Off the Costs of HVAC Repairs
You can save on costly heating and cooling system repairs with preventative measures. Air filters only cost around $40, and regularly changing the air filters helps to prolong the life of your HVAC system. An annual maintenance checkup helps with saving money on monthly energy bills and preventing costly repairs down the road.
An unexpected home repair doesn’t have to break your frugal lifestyle. These tips can help you keep your home and finances in shape.
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