A Single Mom’s Guide to Household Improvement
When I bought my residence nine years ago, my son was about to turn three and I reveled within the security of owning my slice with the American dream. Being a single mom was (and is!) each challenging and rewarding, but I knew that getting a property to contact my personal was the top point that ever occurred to my son and me.
My home was ten years old when I purchased it, and it was in excellent condition. Still, as time passed, a number of concerns cropped up. I feel my method of handling (or not handling) house improvements is fairly typical for single ladies who personal their own homes. Hopefully, my experiences will assist you to navigate the waters of household improvement. Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. You can go locations having a good book plus a toolbox. The Christmas of your year I moved in, my sister and brother-in-law gave me a toolbox filled together with the fundamentals: screwdrivers, wrenches, a hammer, nails, nuts and bolts, and so forth. They also gave me a book on basic household repairs. Their gift literally supplied me with all the tools I needed, however it also gave me self-confidence that I could tackle minor dwelling improvement projects. My tips: invest in some tools and use a book or on line sources to guide you by way of the routine maintenance that your home demands.
2. Ask for assistance. As a single lady who is now 49 years old and has restricted expertise of more complex household improvement difficulties, I am often afraid that I’ll be taken advantage by a repair organization. When my air conditioner conked out on a 100-plus degree day, for instance, I had no method of figuring out if I definitely required a brand new unit. I’ve learned to call on neighbors, loved ones members, and close friends – whose collective expertise exceeds mine – to get their impressions. They’ve steered me in the appropriate direction on a variety of occasions.
3. Maintain tabs on the neighbors. All of the houses in my instant vicinity had been built by the same builder at roughly exactly the same time. Obtaining to know my neighbors and talking to them about dwelling improvement has helped me get a sense of what to program for. For instance, two years ago I began to see that the houses around me had been beginning to get new roofs. Though I didn’t have a leaky roof, a couple of months ago I decided to re-roof. I wanted to be proactive so I didn’t get stuck together with the expense of drywall repairs moreover to the price of a brand new roof.
four. Ask for referrals, and then check them yourself. Through my neighbors’ referrals, I’ve been in a position to discover an excellent roofer, an impeccable exterior home painter, and a terrific tile guy. But I don’t just depend on their word. I always – repeat, usually – verify with my state’s contractor licensing board to verify their licenses and using the Better Company Bureau to examine on past complaints. I get all estimates in writing, and ask for proof of insurance coverage.
5. Don’t place your head in the sand. There has been greater than one occasion when I’ve selected not to deal with a property improvement issue, and I’ve usually regretted it. I knew, for example, that the exterior of my fireplace had some dry rot. Regrettably, by letting it go for so long it price me far more than if I’d have dealt with it quickly.
6. Make a list. This final bit of assistance is basic, but crucial. Start off and preserve a household improvement list. As a single mom, it’s all too uncomplicated to acquire caught up within the hectic pace of everyday life and let routine household upkeep fall by the wayside. I divide my household improvement list into three sections: 1 for items that require attention within the next three months; 1 for household improvement projects for the coming year; and one that maps out what I wish to accomplish using the home over the following five years. The short- and medium-term lists hold me motivated, though my long-term list helps me save the cash required for the big-ticket items.
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