5 Ways to Save Money on Home Maintenance and Repairs

There are few things that equal the pride of homeownership. The purchase of a home is likely the most significant purchase a family will make. Along with the joy of owning a home comes the responsibility to maintain the home. Things in the home break down and need maintenance from time to time, often without notice.  

There are some homeowners that prefer to hire a handyman or service professionals to tend to the things that need repair. Other homeowners prefer to take care of as many maintenance details in their homes as they can. 

Regardless of whether a homeowner decides to outsource their maintenance and repair duties to others or to take care of these things themselves, the following five tips will help save money on home maintenance and repairs. 

1. Check for Leaks

The cost to heat your home in the winter is increased if there are holes and gaps where heat can escape. Holes and gaps can occur in practically any area of the home. These openings result in drafts that keep the temperature low. Begin by checking the spaces between the windows and doors. 

Suppose you notice any types of foundation cracks. In that case, it’s important to consult with a professional foundation repair contractor to determine the underlying cause and the best course of action to repair the damage. Ignoring foundation cracks can lead to further damage and potentially dangerous structural issues.

Cracks also form in the mortar that holds chimney bricks together. You also want to check your roof for any water leaks. Leaks that allow water to enter the home can result in flooding.

2. Purchase Materials Separately from Labor

All over the internet and TV, you find websites and programs with DIY steps for home repairs or upgrades. Concrete coatings are the best option for adding to the aesthetic appeal of their establishment and extending the life of concrete flooring. Metallic epoxy floor kits may seem less expensive than hiring a professional, but that’s because the risk of something going wrong is higher.

When there are major upgrades and repairs needed, it is common for repair companies to offer to charge a set price that includes the cost of both the parts and the labor. While this sounds convenient at first, this convenience typically comes with an inflated amount being added to the price of the parts. 

Rather than opting to purchase the parts and labor together, sourcing the parts yourself and purchasing them separately can save you a considerable amount on your repairs. Discount stores and warehouses are great places to start when shopping for materials and appliances. You can have the materials delivered or even have the repair crew pick up the order. 

3. Take Preventative Measures

Taking preventative steps to maintain various aspects of your home will likely keep you from paying the higher costs related to replacement when things completely break down and need to be repaired or replaced. 

Some key components that can be routinely maintained with Aussie DIY Solutions are:

• Cleaning gutters and downspouts
• Clearing weeds, leaves, and grass that clutters around your outside air condition unit
• Insulate pipes to provide protection from freezing in the winter
• Extend the life of your water heater by draining it annually

4. Recycle Leftover Materials

When you perform repairs in the home, there are often parts left over. These can be extra parts included from the manufacturer or parts from the previous installation that are still in usable condition. 

Rather than just throwing away everything left over after a repair or upgrade, look closely at what is left, and make sure that it is indeed not worthy of keeping before discarding it. This goes for nuts, bolts, screws, components, and anything else that is still usable. 

5. Purchase a Home Warranty

It is never convenient when home appliances break down. Major home appliances can cause huge setbacks when they go out unexpectedly. The blow of losing the functionality of a major appliance can be cushioned if you invest in a home warranty. 

A home warranty is a service contract that covers the repair or replacement of appliances identified by the contract. Using a home warranty to cover repairs is a definite way to save money to get your appliances back in working order. Home warranties cover items and systems like refrigerators, ovens, washers/dryers, furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, electrical, plumbing, structural components, and more.  

Conclusion

There is a laundry list of things that can go wrong in your home. Repairs and replacements are inevitable. From the replacement of shingles on your roof to the repair of your water heater, you never know what appliance or component will need attention next. Some items suffer from the results of wear and tear, and other items get damaged. Either way, maintenance or repair are needed.

If you are a homeowner, learning to do minor repairs and fixes around the home will prove to be rewarding and also save you money. When it comes to major repairs, you can take care of the simple preliminary tasks and leave the major aspect of the job to the professionals. Having basic tools on hand is the perfect place to start.