13
7 Ways to Avoid Pricey Home-Repair Surprises in 2023
Quick Navigation
For many of us, there’s nothing quite like spending lots of time at home to start noticing the literal (or metaphorical) cracks in the foundation. Maybe your kitchen could use some remodeling TLC, or perhaps you have appliances that desperately need to be replaced (or even some combination of both).
Whatever it is, the home maintenance and remodel industry has been on a huge upward trajectory for years now, and while the experts predict it might start to slow down in 2023 (by about 7.4% according to the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University) — ‘slow’ isn’t quite the word we’d choose for this $400 billion industry.
In fact, Angie’s List (now called Angi) found that the average household spending on home-related projects in 2022 was $12,904, with a whopping $8,484 of that going towards home improvement, and $2,467 towards home maintenance.
So if you’re one of the many people trying to map out your home project plans for 2023, keep reading. We’ve got seven of our best penny-hoarding tips right here to help you make the most of your remodeling and home maintenance budget.
Your house can’t talk but it can send you messages. If it’s crying for help, ignoring the message could cost you money later.
Don’t ignore home repairs, and you’ll save in the long run. Here are seven you can’t afford to put off.
Maintenance is usually cheaper than repairs, so keeping up with checkups around your home can help you avoid a bigger repair bill later. It’s smart to figure out how much to budget for home maintenance. Here are the things you should consider:
Financial experts recommend putting away about $200 a month for home maintenance. That way, you’ll have $2,400 a year, which can hopefully cover the maintenance and possible repairs.
Sometimes it’s necessary to call in the pros when tackling home maintenance or home improvement projects.
Do you really want to DIY and regret it?
When deciding to DIY or hire a pro, ask yourself how much experience you really have. Things often look easier to do on TV or in a YouTube video than they really are.
Experts say to avoid DIY-ing anything involving electricity (especially 220 circuits) or water unless you have experience. Things can go bad very quickly.
If you need professional help for your home, getting bids on home projects can save you lots of money and time.
A professional handyperson can handle a wide variety of jobs like caulking, painting, gutter cleaning, patching drywall, installing tile, hanging objects, and installing fixtures. Making a list of what you want done can be helpful so you can prioritize if you only have a handyperson hired for a few hours.
When looking for the right expert for your home project:
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and discuss exactly what the estimate includes and what the payment terms are. It’s your home, and your budget
Some simple things can help you get a lower electric bill each month.
You can save on other utility bills, too, with attention to your consumption habits. For instance, some simple reductions in water use could mean saving money on water bills.
Disasters or repairs can ruin your budget. Homeowners insurance can help protect your property and belongings from damage and losses. It also provides liability coverage.
But it isn’t always easy to know what is covered and what isn’t. And when is it worthwhile to file a claim?
All homeowners policies are not created equal, and they can also vary widely based on where you live and in what kind of dwelling. It’s important to understand when it can help you out — and when it can’t. Here’s an article that will help you learn what home insurance covers.
If you’re ready to dive into the world of home ownership or move into a new home, don’t get so caught up in the excitement that you make a big mistake.
Following this eight-point home inspection checklist could end up throwing cold water on your plans, but it will also prevent buyer’s remorse if you’ve fallen in love with a money pit.
Inspectors look at more than 1,000 things throughout a house. In general, those things are:
In today’s real estate market, forgoing the inspection could make your offer more attractive to the seller, but the average inspection cost of $350 could save you thousands of dollars down the line.
Tiffani Sherman is a Florida-based freelance reporter with more than 25 years of experience writing about finance, health, travel and other topics. Freelancer Larissa Runkle contributed to this report.
Ready to stop worrying about money?
Get the Penny Hoarder Daily
Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We strive to provide accurate, reliable information.
Compensation may influence how and where products appear on our site (including their order), and we do not include all companies or offers.