A Single Mothers Guide To Home Maintenance
I think my means of handling (or not dealing with) home improvements is fairly normal for non-married women who are the owners of their own homes. I hope my own experiences will enable you to navigate the waters of home improvement.
When
I bought my house nine years ago, my only son was going to turn 3 and I
was looking forward to the security of owning my own piece of the great
American home owner dream. Being a single parent was (and is!) both a
challenge and rewarding, but I was aware that having a residence to call
my own was also the very best thing that has ever happened to both my
son and me.
My house was 10 years old when I purchased. It was also in terrific condition. However, Still, as time progressed, various issues began popping up. I think my way of dealing with (or not dealing with) home improvements is fairly typical for single mothers who are the owners of their own homes. Hopefully, my experiences will provide assistance to you in navigating the waters of home improvement. This is what I have learned:
1. You you can gain considerable knowledge with an excellent publication and a toolbox. The Xmas of the year I relocted to my new home, my sibling as well as brother-in-law provided me a tool kit that was full of the basics: screwdrivers, set of wrenches, two hammers, nails, nuts and bolts, and so forth. In addition, Additionally, they also provided me a publication on fundamental residential repairs. Their Christmas present literally gave me with the basics of what I required, however it likewise provided me confidence that I could tackle small house renovation tasks. My recommendations: purchase some basic tools as well as make use of a book or on-line resources to direct you with the routine upkeep that your house calls for.
2. Request for guidance. As a single mother who is now 36 years of age and also has quite limited understanding of more intricate residence enhancement issues, I'm consistently worried that I will be taken advantage of by a repair service business. When my ac system collapsed on a 100+ degree day, for example, I had no other way of understanding if I truly required a brand-new AC System. I actually have learned to get in touch with neighbors, members of the family, and good friends - whose cumulative knowledge exceeds mine - to obtain their impressions. They have actually guided me in the best way to go on a variety of different occasions.
3. Keep track of your brothers. Every one of the houses in my my own home area were created by the same home builder at about the very same time. Being familiar with my brothers and also talking with them concerning home enhancement has actually helped me get a sense of just what to prepare for. For example, 2 years ago I started to see that the houses around me were starting to get brand-new roofs. Although I really did not have a leaky roof covering, a few months ago I made a decision to re-roof. I wanted to be forward thinking so I really did not get hit with the expense of drywall repair services in addition to the price of a brand-new roofing system.
4. Ask for references, and then check them yourself. With my sisters recommendations, I have actually been able to find a fantastic roofing contractor, a remarkable exterior residential painter, and also a fantastic floor tile man. But, I don't simply depend on their word. I constantly - repeat, always - consult my State professional licensing board to verify their licenses and with the BBB to check on previous grievances. I obtain all quotes in writing, and ask for proof of insurance policies.
5. Do not place your head in the sand. There has been greater than one event when Ihave actually chosen not to manage a residential enhancement concern, and also Ihave constantly regretted it. I understood, for example, that the exterior of my fireplace had some dry rot. Regrettably, by letting it go for as long as I did, it cost me much more compared to if I would certainly have managed it in a timely manner.
6. Make a written list of concerns. This last little bit of insight is simple, however essential. Begin and maintain a house repair check list. As a single mother, it is all too simple to find yourself caught up in the stressful rate of daily life as well as let regular house maintenance to be neglected. I split my house improvement list into three sections: one for products that require attention in the following 3 months; one for house improvement tasks for the coming year; as well as one that maps out just what I intend to achieve with the home over the following 5 years. The short- as well as medium-term lists maintain me inspired, while my long term check list assists me to conserve the cash required for the expensive things.