How To Make A New Home Your Castle ?

If you’re like most homeowners you saw the home and fell in love. Maybe you returned for a second or third look and noticed upgrades you’d like to make or the home inspector suggested some repairs, but overall you still felt like this was the one so you said “I Do! I Do!”. Somehow you overcame the stress of moving and settled into your home. You’re eager to make the improvements, make it yours, but where should you start.

How should you prioritize the list of repairs?

Who should you call for a second opinion and estimates?

Should you attempt the repairs yourself?

The Approach We suggest you create a prioritized list while your home’s needs are still top of mind. Start with three of the major systems in a home: roofing, plumbing and electrical. Boring! But wait, it’s really important.

Roof The roof protects your family from the elements so find out if its doing so and try to estimate its age. If the roof is old you may have to budget for a replacement in the near future. Check for leaks and see if rain is being properly diverted away from the house through gutters and downspouts.

Pipes Are the sinks and faucets working properly? Checks for leaks and slow drainage. A slow drain could be fixed with a quick trip to the hardware store for a drain cleaner or plunger. However, frequent clogging may require further inspection and the skills of a plumber.

Electrical Are all the electrical outlets and switches working? Do you have enough outlets and overhead lighting in each room? Older homes that haven’t been updated tend no to. Do you plan on buying new appliances? Understanding your electrical needs and checking your electrical system helps you understand it and spot problems that may need the attention of an electrician.

Who You Gonna Call Contact a friend, handyman, contractor, or big box hardware store for a second opinion and repair estimate. Take full advantage of a business willing send someone to your home to assess your project and give you an estimate. Friends and neighbors who own homes almost always have someone they call for repairs, ask them for referrals.

To DIY or Not To DIY Even seemingly small projects can take hours to complete, so plan accordingly. You’ll need time to diagnose the problem correctly, shop for tools and materials and time to do the work.

Finally, whether you decide to hire someone or do it yourself, start your repairs soon because staying on top of routine maintenance will help keep costs down in the long run.

What project are you going to start first?

DEW is a home remodeling company in NYC. We publish blogs to help homeowners make the right home improvement decisions. If you found this article helpful, please share it.