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Let’s face it, home repairs aren’t cheap.  Not to say that your handyman or contractor is ripping you off, but time is money and when you are paying for someone’s time it can get rather costly, especially here on Long Island where the cost of living is so high.  After all they, have to earn a living too.

For example, recently we have been working in one particular home fixing almost everything.  As soon as we repair one thing, the homeowner appears with a list of several more things that need my attention.

For me, the handyman it has been a really good job with a lot of work.  For the homeowner it is going to be somewhat different.  Although it is going to seem like a different house, I am going to have to present to this homeowner quite a sizable invoice.  After all, we spent so much time working on his house.  There was rotting wood, broken tiles, doors that didn’t close and painting that needed to be done.

Considering that this has been a difficult year at best economically for not only a handyman, but for everyone I’m glad to have a job like this.  And I’m also sure that the homeowner will be glad to get all of this work behind him, except as I mentioned he probably will not be that excited when he gets my bill especially since there were things that he could have done to prevent it.

Would you like to avoid excessive home repairs bills?  It’s really not that difficult, it just takes some planning and developing a few good habits.  Here are a couple of the things that you can do.

1.  DIY – Do as much of the work as you can yourself.  Even if your handyman or contractor isn’t billing by the hour, he is still billing by the amount of work to that has to be done.  Ease up on the work load and you will ease up on the bill.

2. Combine several jobs – Unfortunately because of things like congestion and traffic here on Long Island, your handyman needs to charge a minimum to come to your home.  And even if your job exceeds the minimum, you can usually get two jobs done at the same time for less than you could if each one was done individually because by sharing materials and manpower, the jobs can be done quicker and more cost effective.

3. Maintenance – Maintain your home either by doing it yourself or hiring a professional.  This will help you avoid a situation like the one that my customer is in, having to get everything done at the same time.

4. Be flexible – Ask your handyman or contractor if he or she has a time in their schedule that they haven’t been able to fill, but would like to.  Often by helping them out and taking a time slot that they choose, they will save you a couple of bucks.

Repair bills for your home can be rather expensive, but by applying a few simple techniques they don’t have to.  If you really want to save money on your home maintenance and repairs, subscribe to our feed by clicking on the orange rss icon to the right or the rss icon below.  This way you will be kept up to date each time that articles like this one are published.

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