Plan Your Home Repairs Like a Pro

Here are 6 tips to make your home maintenance easy and fun! 

1. Keep a Maintenance Log

Create a google sheet to log changes. It will help you get a new contractor up to speed, or to refresh yourself the next time something goes wrong. 

Jot down when something breaks, how it broke, any repairs you’ve made, and any contractors you hired in the process. It will also help you when you sell the home!

Also log all the appliance details (manufacturer, product name/number, serial number, warranty, etc.), paint colors, and names of any specific tools you used. 

2. Talk to Multiple Contractors

Always call 3 contractors for every project. Never get taken advantage of! 

Use these calls to get a feel for each contractor so you can gather perspectives from multiple vantage points. 

3. Minimize Foot Traffic & Let Them Work

House maintenance usually means dangerous tools, loud noises, and lots of moving around. Plan maintenance days when there’s not a lot going on at home – ideally when only 1-2 adults are around. Never invite a contractor into your home without anyone present). 

If there are kids or pets present, have a plan to keep them well away from the work area. 

If you’ve hired someone to help you fix something in your home – give them space. Professionals work best when they don’t have someone putting their nose in every little thing they do. 

4. Clean the Area & Take Many Photographs

Whether you’re doing the work or you’re hiring someone to do it for you, clean up the area before starting the project. There’s nothing more frustrating for a contractor than needing to clean up your house for you before they can get to work (and, spoiler alert – the time they spend cleaning is billable time). 

Take photographs before and after the job is done so you can log everything.

5. Get a Receipt

Without a receipt, a contractor can claim a lien on your home and make life hell for you. Always get a receipt, even if you pay cash.

6. Check If You Need To Report To The County

Some changes to the home require approval from and reporting to the county. Check this before you start the project and also once after you finish the project. 

Nobody likes dealing with home maintenance – but with these few tips, you’ll be on your way to hassle free home repairs in no time. You can download and share our printable here to keep on hand for reference!

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