Unexpected home repair or property repairs can be a huge inconvenience. No one wants to deal with major damage like a broken AC unit in the middle of summer or an inconvenience like a clogged drain when they’re trying to take a relaxing bath. The good news is that there are some things you can do to prepare to prepare for fixing these types of repairs. By taking some proactive steps now, you can save yourself time, money, and a whole lot of headaches down the road.
Know Your Warranties and Insurance Coverage
The first step in preparing for unexpected repairs is to know what warranties and insurance coverage you have. If something is broken or something goes wrong with appliances or your HVAC system, you’ll want to know what costs are covered by a warranty so you can get it repaired or replaced. Likewise, if you have homeowners or renters insurance, find out what type of damage is covered and what your deductible is. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect financially if you need to file a claim.
What To Do if You Don't Have Home Insurance?
If you don’t have home insurance, now is the time to get it. Home insurance protects you from financial losses in the event of damage to your home or property. It’s important to have this type of coverage to fix an unexpected repair, such as a broken window or a leaky roof. Most home insurance policies will cover the cost of repairs up to a certain amount, and some even provide coverage for temporary living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to damage.
Set Aside Money for Unexpected Expenses
No one likes dealing with unexpected expenses, but they’re bound to come up from time to time. To help offset the cost of unexpected repairs, set aside money each month into a savings account or emergency fund. That way, when something does go wrong, you’ll have the cash on hand to cover the repair bill without having to put it on a credit card or having to get loans and rack up interest charges.
Build Relationships with Trusted Contractors
If you don’t already have a relationship with a trusted contractor, now is the time to build one. When something goes wrong in your home or property, you want to be able to call someone who can come out and take care of the problem quickly and efficiently. By having a few contractors on speed dial, you won’t have to waste time searching for someone when an emergency strikes.
How Do You Find and Build a Relationship With a Contractor?
There are a few ways to build a relationship with a contractor. First, you can ask family and friends for recommendations. If someone you know has had a good experience with a contractor, they’re likely to be just as satisfied with their work. Second, you can read online reviews of contractors in your community to get an idea of what other people’s experiences have been like. Finally, when you identify a few contractors you want, you can contact them directly and ask for references. Once you have a few contractors in mind, reach out and set up consultations so you can get to know them better and see if they’re a good fit for your needs.
No one likes dealing with unexpected home repairs, but they’re inevitable. By taking some proactive steps now—like knowing your warranties and insurance coverage on your house, setting aside money each month for unexpected expenses, and building relationships with trusted contractors—you can save yourself time, money, and protect yourself from a whole lot of headaches down the road. If you need contracting service, contact us and see if Hands to Home is the right fit for you!