Cut
the cost of home repairs Everyone
wants a bargain. But what seems at first blush to be a cheap fix
for a leaking drain or glitch in the wiring can turn into an
expensive nightmare. As soon as the repairman is paid, the
problem may reappear due to shoddy workmanship and/or
substandard materials. Paying too much for repairs doesn't
ensure a good job either. The following tips will help you save
money and get the job done right.
For some repairs, the best way
to reduce the cost is to do them yourself. But you have
to know what you're doing or you could create a mess that will
cost big bucks for an experienced repairman to clean up. The
secret is to learn to differentiate between a standard
home-maintenance activity and something that needs an expert's
touch. There are numerous guidebooks devoted to teaching the
basics of home maintenance and minor repairs. The best way to
learn? Have a skilled friend or relative show you how.
Learning about home repairs has
other money-saving benefits. If you understand the basics
you can describe a minor repair accurately over the phone and
avoid two visits from the repairman -- first to give you a quote
and then to do the work. He or she will also know what tools and
materials to bring. And you will have a better idea whether he
or she has done a good job and charged you fairly.
The repairman's time, not materials, makes up the bulk of the
cost of most expert repairs. Ninety-five dollars of a $100 sink
repair could easily be labor. But don't skimp on materials -- if
the new faucet fails, you've got to pay the labor again as well
as buy a replacement.
In addition to an hourly rate,
many repairmen charge a minimum fee for showing up -- even if
the repair can't be done. So you can save by batching
repairs and having them all done at the same time. You can also
batch jobs with neighbors. If you own an attached house, for
instance, you and your next-door neighbor can get your roofs
repaired, your fences fixed or your trees pruned at the same
time. Get one quote and you'll save more money because it will
take less time than two.
You can also save by doing
repairs promptly -- damage, especially from water, can
escalate with time. Other problems, such as wiring trouble, may
pose a safety hazard if neglected.
For larger jobs, get two or more
competing quotes. If you live in an urban area, you may
find repairmen based outside the city charge less per hour, as
long as there's not a lot of travel time involved.
You may be able to do the manual
labor part of an expert repair yourself -- if, for instance,
demolition is involved. For some repairs, you may save by
getting the materials yourself -- there's often a markup on
items like bathroom and light fixtures. Consult with the
repairman before buying supplies yourself, to avoid buying the
wrong thing and wasting his or her time.
Some repairmen will reduce the
cost of a job if you pay them cash, but large contractors
seldom do this. You won't get a receipt, so you'll have no
recourse if something goes wrong and for this reason many Better
Business Bureaus recommend always paying by check or money
order.
Often repairmen or apprentices
who work for large companies will moonlight for much less than
their employer would charge. You may have to have repairs
done in the evening or during weekends, though. And if you hire
an apprentice, make sure you -- or a friend or relative -- know
enough about the job to supervise.
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