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Buying a house is one of the biggest investments that most people will ever make. Carrying out regular maintenance as well as upgrades is crucial if one is to protect their most prized assets. Contrary to popular belief, upgrades and improvements don’t have to cost huge chunks of money when done on time and appropriately. Do it yourself home maintenance has become a popular and surefire way of saving money when it comes to home repairs plus who doesn’t love DIY?! Check out our top DIY home maintenance tips below that will save you money and protect your most valuable asset!
Clean Gutters and Downspouts Often
Instead of hiring people to clean gutters for you and incur between $65 and $335, you can save a lot by doing everything yourself. Cleaning gutters more often prevents clogging that causes water to pool, leading mold, rot, and in some cases, damages to the foundation. All you have to do is invest in a good ladder once and use it often to unclog gutters, especially in the windy and rainy season.
Perk Up the Paint
If you own a house in which you wish to retire in then learning some basic painting skills will go a long way in saving many unnecessary costs along the way. Step-by-step painting instructions are available online, which makes it easy to acquire much-needed skills. Painting goes a long way in protecting the overall house structure from weather and water damage. Considering the average costs of painting costs a few hundred dollars with a good chunk of the costs going to labor. However, by painting the house yourself, you are sure to save anywhere between hundreds to thousands of dollars on labor costs. You can also save by purchasing ‘oops paint’ which is paint that customers return to the store because it was mixed incorrectly. Such paints cost a fraction of the regular paint. Likewise, there is recycle paint available at low prices in some local municipalities.
Find and Fix Leaks
Leaks both internally and externally account for some of the biggest damages when left unattended for long. Instead of hiring plumbers and paying them big bucks you should take time occasionally to look for leaks and fix them before they lead to mold, mildew, and rot. Some of the best places to spot leaks include in toilets as well as under the sink cabinets. Leaky roofs and gutters should also be detected early and fixed to avoid extensive damage to the entire house. Try to inspect your roof at least twice a year, especially during rainy seasons. A leaky shower should also be fixed immediately as it can lead to mold, rot, and water damage that can be disastrous in the long run.
Replace Attic Insulation
Replacement of attic insulation should be done once a year as a way of saving on energy costs. Instead of hiring professionals who might charge hundreds of dollars, you can do this all by yourself out in a weekend. Carrying out attic insulation will not only save you money in hiring costs but can go a long way in saving up to 50% in energy costs. Likewise, you will be able to enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures at no additional cost.
Buy Materials and Labor Separately
When planning to carry out major maintenance that is likely to cost big bucks it would be wise to purchase material and labor separately. Instead of paying the markup that many contractors tack on materials you can actually go hunting for deals at various stores yourself. Before going out on a hunting spree talk to the tradesman or contractor to get the right specifications as well as requirements for all the materials needed for the project.
Save Leftovers and Hire Tools
While carrying out maintenance, it is common to have leftover material. Instead of disposing of the leftovers, safe storage should come into play, as the material could be useful in the near future. Some of the leftovers that require safe storage include paint as well as screws, bolts, or water pipes. Large cuts of wood or plywood should also be placed in safe storage for future use.
It Can do More Than Save Money
According to real estate agency owner Mack, “Consistent home maintenance can help you improve the value of your home over time. Saving the new owners’ money on a renovation can help you negotiate the price that you want. “
Renting Power tools is fun
Another way to save money on home maintenance is to rent the tools you need. Instead of incurring huge costs buying maintenance tools, you can rent some of the tools, especially those needed for one project. It would not make sense to pay thousands of dollars for a tool that you will use only once or twice. Some of the tools to rent include Power paint sprayer, hammer drill as well as scaffolding. Check your local hardware store for more details on renting as most of the big box stores offer this option.
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