Your refrigerator needs repair. You’ve got a leak in your bathroom. The gutter on your home needs repair. To top off all of these household issues, you are out of money. You can prioritize your needs and save up for one issue at a time, but if all of these items are urgent you could find yourself in trouble. There is, however, a solution. You could barter for home repair services. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Check online message boards for home repair professionals willing to barter services. Craigslist for example, has a barter category where people can list services they are willing to trade (see Resources). Also, check the local penny saver. If you cannot find an ad that states the service people are willing to barter, go through the phone book and call the repair people and ask if they are willing to barter.
2. Prepare a list of good or services that you have to offer. You could have broken items in your home they can use for parts. You may have working lawn equipment in your garage that you do not use. You could have a wealth of inventory for your business that you have been unable to move. You may have a car that you don’t use that is just taking up space in your garage. You may have a special talent or skill that you can offer.
3. Contact the prospective home repair workers and discuss the possibility of bartering goods and services. Ask what kind of items they will be willing to accept. Also find out what their rates are as you want to try to make an equitable trade. Of course, they will be more willing to trade with you if your item is worth a little more than their service.
4. Check the reputation of the person you plan to trade with. Check the better business bureau and ask for license information and customer referrals.
5. Write a contract when the agreement is made. A handshake is nice, but a signature is better if you should have a disagreement.
6. Be patient. Remember you are not a paying customer and this person still has to make money. They may have to do your job on a day off or in between other jobs.
Tags: home repair, willing barter, could have, needs repair, that have, they will, they willing
