How to Plan Ahead for the Costs and Pains of Emergency Home Repairs

What would you do if a pipe burst in your front yard right now? Would you know who to call and how to pay to repair it? Every day, homeowners are faced with unexpected home repairs and unexpected stress and tension. You can save yourself a lot of grief, however, by using these tips to stay prepared for emergency home repairs when they happen.

Maintain Your Home to Prevent Emergency Problems

There are definitely times when issues pop up unexpectedly around your home. For many household emergencies, however, a lack of proper maintenance is mostly to blame. If you are a new homeowner, it can be tricky to know what tasks to take care of and who to call for routine repairs. If you do hire contractors to help maintain your home, be sure to find professionals who are qualified and licensed to perform the work needed. Do some online research in order to find experienced professionals in your area, and always read through ratings and reviews. You should always hire a pro when it comes to tricky and potentially dangerous maintenance areas, like plumbing, electrical work, and roofing repairs.

There are, however, several home upkeep undertakings you can mostly handle on your own, some of which you should do on a regular basis. Checking areas for signs of damage and preventative cleaning is always helpful when trying to avoid costly home repairs, like a leaky roof or mold growth. If you do spot mold on the outside of your home (which can find its way inside), call a professional to clean it off. In fact, routine pressure washing, window cleaning, and soft washing (you can hire companies like Kleen to help with these tasks) will keep your home free of mold, grime, and dirt that can damage materials and make it look disheveled.

Know What You Can Expect Insurance to Cover

New homeowners often make the mistake of relying on insurance to cover repairs. However, many emergency problems may not be fully covered by your insurance policy. Forgot to pressure wash and have a mold problem on your hands? Since mold can usually be prevented with proper maintenance, the majority of insurance companies will not cover any related damages or repairs. The same goes for homeowner neglect, but even if you do maintain your home, you may be out of luck when it comes to repair coverage for issues with sewage and plumbing problems. Certain forms of water damage do not fall under the protection of most general homeowners insurance policies, so you could be left cleaning up that mess on your own dime. Once again, mold could be a problem if you leave water damage unresolved for even a short period of time. These are some of the reasons you need an emergency repair fund, but setting funds aside can also help you replace expensive appliances as they wear out.

Find Simple Ways to Save and Pay for Repairs

So, you’ve found yourself in need of home repairs but you haven’t had a chance to save. What resources are available to help you pay for emergency needs? There are several ways you can pay for those unexpected costs without throwing your finances out of line. For emergency repairs, a personal loan might make the most sense, but you can also talk to your contractors to see if they offer payment plans to ease some of the financial burden. If you are a senior who needs some urgent work performed on your home, there may be additional forms of assistance that can help you cover the costs. Several non-profits organizations and grants are available to help seniors keep their homes safe and sound.

Once you have found a way to pay for those repairs, do yourself a favor and start saving up ASAP. You can save hundreds every month by cooking meals at home, opting for free or inexpensive entertainment, and even starting a side gig.

Home repairs are never fun, and most emergencies are never fully expected. By planning and saving some money ahead of time, you can take the sting out of these issues when they arise and address any major problems with ease.

Article submitted by Suzie Wilson ⎸info@happierhome.net  ⎸Happier Home