7 Tips for Doing Budget-Friendly Home Repairs

A well-maintained home is less prone to wear and tear. Keep in mind that preventing a problem is always better than fixing it. For instance, sealing a leaking pipe will prevent a worse leak which will require a greater amount of repair and cost. Moreover, water leakage if left unchecked and unfixed will also impact your utility bill, resulting again to greater cost. Broken switches and wires should be repaired right away to prevent short circuits that can cause fire.

Check your home thoroughly after a strong typhoon or an earthquake. Look for any wall crack, roof leak, and the likes and have them repaired promptly.

Perhaps you have unused pieces of wood, pipes, nails, and nuts and bolts in your storeroom or garage. Collect and organize them so that you know where to find them when the need arises. Also, keep your tools such as a hammer, screwdriver, or saw clean and free from rust. Maintain them so that you can use them for a long time. Proper maintenance of your tools can save you not only money but also time as it will keep you from the inconvenience of buying new ones.

Construction material prices go up and down. Be proactive and purchase what you need when the prices are low. Also, do not limit your search for materials in local stores. Search for online shops where you can buy hardware at a lower price. Just be sure to consider and ensure authenticity, quality, and shipping costs and time. Be on the lookout for discount sales.

For home repairs, never compromise quality in favor of cheap labor. Ask around for a contractor who renders quality work for a reasonable amount. Ask for referrals from your relatives and friends.Better if you have a friend or if you know someone who can competently do some repair works at your home. It will be easier to negotiate the repair fee. It might even be possible to do an exchange of favors. For example, if the person fixes your door knob, then you can clean his or her yard. In your circle, there must be someone who has a knack for plumbing or carpentry. It’s always best to ask around.

For minor repairs like fixing broken door hinges or unclogging a bathroom drain, perhaps you can do it yourself. You can check out some home repair tips and hacks online. For example, a simple vinegar and baking soda mixture can work as an unclogging solution. Researching on the internet or asking someone skilled to teach you can save you money.

After you have assessed the extent of repair, made an inventory of available materials, and checked prices of materials and repair services, write them down. If your budget is still below the actual cost of the repair needed, look for alternatives for materials that may cost less but are similar in quality. Ask experts so you will know the differences of the materials (say, plywood and gypsum board) and if you can substitute one for the other in your repair project.

Taking care of your home’s upkeep should be a shared responsibility. Instruct your family members and household helpers to be observant and report to you any sign of damage so you can address them right away. Everyone should take initiative to help keep the house in good condition. Your kids should be responsible for their own rooms, letting you know if something needs to be fixed.

Better have your home repairs completed before the rainy season comes to avoid further damages and additional expenses. If, despite everything you have done, your home still gets damaged due to a natural calamity, you can avail of financial assistance (SSS, GSIS, PAG-IBIG) in rebuilding or repairing your home.