Many individuals educate themselves to handle their own home repairs.
An average citizen who devotes his undivided attention to a home repair project can manage to complete it with little trouble, according to Douglas Tuomey, author of "Take Care of Your Home." Consumers, who may have called on professionals in the past, are increasingly tackling their own home renovations and patch-ups. They are looking to cut costs in any way possible. With each success, the desire to accept another home-repair challenge increases. Homeowners should follow a few easy steps to ensure that home repairs are manageable. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Enroll in classes that are held in your area. Check your city's newspaper or go online to find times and locations. Local hardware stores often stage "Do It Yourself" workshops. Home Depot is noted for its "Do It Herself" weekend sessions designed especially to educate women. Knowledgeable family members, friends or neighbors can be effective role models. Enlist their help but be sure to take pictures and notes so that you can manage the issue on your own next time.
2. Study do-it-yourself books and tutorials. There are seemingly limitless sources on the Internet. The library is a free resource for home repair books. Most come equipped with pictures and diagrams to guide you through just about any home repair project. You can even pick up valuable pointers by watching television programs such as those found on the Home and Garden Channel (HGTV.)
3. Take action as soon as a problem arises. Hesitating to resolve an issue often makes matters worse. When neglected, minor developments can quickly escalate to dilemmas: this is especially true of plumbing troubles. Leaks become worse and the damages compound.
4. Call professional help when needed. Accept the fact that you may not be able to resolve all concerns on your own. Particularly when dealing with electrical issues, be certain that you have the know-how for the job. Even though an expert may be expensive, it could cost more if you seriously botch a project and have to call in a professional to rectify the damages. Check with the Better Business Bureau to find reputable service personnel. Avoid scams by acquiring references.
5. Document all repairs. Write down the dates and exactly what you fixed. Take notes and pictures, when possible, for reference the next time. If you have enlisted a specialist, file all paperwork for easy retrieval. Make sure the job is guaranteed and keep copies of all contract numbers and warranties.
Tags: home repair, home repair project, home repairs, next time, repair project, their home
