A Single Mom’s Guide to Residence Improvement
When I purchased my home nine years ago, my son was about to turn 3 and I reveled in the security of owning my slice from the American dream. Getting a single mom was (and is!) both difficult and rewarding, but I knew that having a residence to call my own was the very best issue that ever happened to my son and me.
My property was ten years old when I bought it, and it was in great condition. Nevertheless, as time passed, several different issues cropped up. I think my way of handling (or not handling) household improvements is relatively typical for single women who own their own properties. Hopefully, my experiences will make it easier to navigate the waters of residence improvement. Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. You may go places using a fantastic book as well as a toolbox. The Christmas with the year I moved in, my sister and brother-in-law gave me a toolbox filled with all the fundamentals: screwdrivers, wrenches, a hammer, nails, nuts and bolts, and so forth. They also gave me a book on simple residence repairs. Their gift literally provided me using the tools I necessary, but it also gave me confidence that I could tackle minor residence improvement projects. My suggestions: invest in some tools and use a book or on the web sources to guide you via the routine upkeep that your house requires.
two. Ask for suggestions. As a single woman who’s now 49 years old and has limited understanding of additional complicated residence improvement troubles, I’m always afraid that I’ll be taken benefit by a repair company. When my air conditioner conked out on a 100-plus degree day, for example, I had no method of understanding if I genuinely needed a new unit. I’ve learned to contact on neighbors, family members members, and pals – whose collective information exceeds mine – to acquire their impressions. They’ve steered me inside the correct direction on quite a few occasions.
3. Hold tabs on the neighbors. All the houses in my immediate vicinity were built by the identical builder at roughly the same time. Having to know my neighbors and talking to them about property improvement has helped me get a sense of what to strategy for. For example, two years ago I began to determine that the houses around me were starting to get new roofs. Although I did not possess a leaky roof, a handful of months ago I decided to re-roof. I wanted to become proactive so I did not get stuck using the expense of drywall repairs furthermore for the cost of a brand new roof.
four. Ask for referrals, then examine them oneself. By way of my neighbors’ referrals, I’ve been able to locate a superb roofer, an impeccable exterior house painter, plus a terrific tile guy. But I do not just rely on their word. I generally – repeat, generally – check with my state’s contractor licensing board to verify their licenses and with the Superior Business enterprise Bureau to verify on past complaints. I get all estimates in writing, and ask for proof of insurance.
five. Don’t put your head inside the sand. There has been more than one particular occasion when I’ve chosen not to handle a house improvement concern, and I’ve normally regretted it. I knew, by way of example, that the exterior of my fireplace had some dry rot. Unfortunately, by letting it go for so extended it cost me considerably more than if I would have dealt with it instantly.
6. Make a list. This last bit of suggestions is standard, but critical. Begin and keep a residence improvement list. As a single mom, it really is all also simple to obtain caught up inside the hectic pace of daily life and let routine residence upkeep fall by the wayside. I divide my residence improvement list into three sections: one particular for items that have to have consideration in the subsequent 3 months; one particular for house improvement projects for the coming year; and one particular that maps out what I would like to accomplish together with the property more than the next 5 years. The short- and medium-term lists maintain me motivated, although my long-term list helps me save the revenue needed for the big-ticket items.
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