Maintaining Your Home

A very important part of owning a home is maintaining it. Whenever you can, it makes sense to prevent problems rather than wait for them to occur. Cleaning and servicing of major appliances may help make them last longer. You also need to take care of your yard. This may involve cleaning up around the trash containers, mowing the lawn, watering plants, raking leaves, and shoveling the steps, driveway, and sidewalk.

Create a seasonal checklist, and mark your calendar so you'll remember to use the checklist. Do an inspection in the spring and another in the fall every year. Once you have the routine in place, it won't take long and it will be well worth the trouble. Worksheet 6, "Seasonal Home Maintenance Schedule," will help to get you started. You may tailor the checklist to suit your own home's systems and needs. Review the home inspection report you received before you bought the house. It may remind you of areas that need specific attention.

Many people are shocked when they realize the high cost of utilities. When you see your first heating or air conditioning bill, you will want to save energy, which means saving money, wherever you can. There are many simple steps you may take to get the most for the money you spend on electricity, gas, and oil. The following areas are easy to check:

• Does your house have enough insulation?
• Do you have adequate storm windows all around?
• Do you need more weather stripping and caulking around your doors and windows?
• Is there enough air circulation in your attic?
• Is the room temperature regulated by a timer so that you are only using the heat you need?

Your local electric company, or state utility agency, offers energy-saving tips. Most electric companies will do a free inspection of your home to help find ways to reduce the amount of electricity you use. Some companies or agencies will provide free weatherization services to low income homeowners. This includes insulation to keep out drafts, sealing cracks around doors and windows, and installing plastic over drafty windows. If you install an energy-efficient heating or cooling system, you might receive a tax rebate from the federal government. Your utility company may also offer a discount if you do this. You must continue to monitor your use of electricity in order to save money. Your spring and fall inspection tours might give you ideas for home maintenance plans that can reduce your energy bills each year.

If you attend to a problem while it is relatively small, you will save yourself time, money, and distress later. You don’t need expensive tools or a lot of experience to do basic home repairs. Ask the people who provide assistance to you to help you take care of minor repairs. You may want to take advantage of a home repair course at your local community college. Courses may also be available at local hardware stores or building suppliers. Your public library should have basic home maintenance books or videos on maintenance and repairs.

Here is a list of a few basic tools you’ll want to have on hand:

• hammer and an assortment of nails
• straight-blade and Phillips screwdriver (or a combination screwdriver with interchangeable tips)
• slip-joint pliers and needle nose pliers
• hand saw
• wall scraper
• tape measure
• flashlight
• plunger (one that works for both sinks and toilets)
• work gloves
• ladder
• bucket
• stiff brush

As your home requires repairs, routine maintenance, or renovations, talk with all of the people who provide assistance to you, the members of your planning team, friends, family, neighbors, and anyone else who may be able to offer hands-on skills or advice. Perhaps a co-worker or a member of your place of worship would be willing to help paint, build a deck, or install an air conditioner. If an agency provides you with assistance, that agency may be willing to offer financial assistance to complete repairs.

Doing your own repairs and maintenance is great whenever possible, but sooner or later, you'll probably need to hire an expert. You may have a major repair that needs to be done, or you may have saved enough money to complete a project you have been planning for. You may want to consider postponing any major renovations for at least a year after you move in to make sure that you can comfortably afford your mortgage payments and routine maintenance expenses.

The following tips may help you get a project done right for a reasonable price.

1. Interview several contractors. Choose a contractor who is really listening to what you want and need. Cost is important, but it is also critical that you get what you want. If a contractor comes to your door trying to sell you his or her services, be suspicious. Reliable contractors do not usually operate this way.

 

2. Ask for references and check them. Ask friends, neighbors, and planning team members to recommend companies or individuals they have hired. Many counties and cities require home improvement contractors to obtain a license. If the repair job is small or you're on a budget, you may get faster service and a better price from an individual than from a big company. Ask whether the contractor is "bonded" and carries workmen's compensation insurance for his or her employees. Being bonded means that contractors have agreed to meet the legal requirements for their profession and will pay a penalty if they fail to do so. Much like a product guarantee, this gives you, the customer, added protection if you are unsatisfied with the work.

 

 

3. Get cost estimates, and find out whether these are just estimates or a firm bid. A bid is an offer from the contractor that the work will be completed for the stated cost. With an estimate, the contractor has the right to charge more for the work, depending on how long it takes or how complex the job becomes. A contractor may not give a solid bid on an older house. In an older home, replacement parts or materials may be harder to find and more expensive. Also, small jobs may become larger because the contractor may uncover more extensive problems once he or she gets started on the work.

 

4. For your protection, always make sure you have a written contract with the contractor. The contract should specify exactly what work is to be performed and when payments are due. Never pay for the entire job until after the work is completed to your satisfaction. If you still owe the contractor money, you have a better chance of getting the job finished properly.

 

5. Most towns require you to obtain a building permit for jobs of a certain size or cost. Check with your city hall for this information. If a building permit is required, will the contractor obtain the permit or is this your responsibility? The work may need to be inspected by the local code enforcement officer who is responsible for seeing that all construction meets safety and other requirements in your area.

As we have discussed, setting up an account for repairs will help to avoid a crisis situation. If you (or the agency assisting you) deposit money into a long-term maintenance account each month, you will have the cash on hand when a repair is needed. Money for repairs should be included in your budget plan that will be discussed later in this chapter.

No matter how well you plan or how prepared you are, there may be a time when you need a costly emergency repair. There may be a state or local government program or a non-profit agency in your area that will help you pay for these repairs. There are a number of volunteer organizations and community housing programs that may be able to offer assistance.

Check to see if the item needing repair (for example, the heating system or washing machine) is covered by a warranty. Also check your property insurance policy (or call your insurance agent). Some repairs (such as water damage) may be covered by your policy. As we mentioned earlier, purchasing long-term warranties for major appliances and your heating system could save money in the long run.

Another method to pay for an unexpected repair is to obtain a home improvement loan or a personal loan from a bank or a credit union. Fannie Mae has introduced the HomeStyle^® second mortgage. With a HomeStyle second mortgage, you may borrow funds to repair, remodel, or enlarge your home. Another possibility is the FHA Title I Home Improvement Loan. Also, a contractor may be willing to provide financing for a major project. Be sure you understand the terms of the loan and how it is to be repaid. Shop around for the lowest interest rate. Also, find out whether monthly payments are required, or whether you must pay back the loan all at once.