My house was ten years old when I bought it, and it was in excellent condition. I think my way of handling (or not handling) home improvements is fairly typical for single women who own their own homes. Hopefully, my experiences will help you navigate the waters of home improvement. Here's what I've learned:
My advice: invest in some tools and use a book or online sources to guide you through the routine maintenance that your house requires.
As a single woman who is now 49 years old and has limited knowledge of more complex home improvement issues, I'm always afraid that I'll be taken advantage by a repair company. I've learned to call on neighbors, family members, and friends - whose collective knowledge exceeds mine - to get their impressions.
Keep tabs on the neighbors. Although I didn't have a leaky roof, a few months ago I decided to re-roof. Through my neighbors' referrals, I've been able to find a superb roofer, an impeccable exterior house painter, and a terrific tile guy. I always - repeat, always - check with my state's contractor licensing board to verify their licenses and with the Better Business Bureau to check on past complaints. There has been more than one occasion when I've chosen not to deal with a home improvement issue, and I've always regretted it.
Make a list. This last bit of advice is basic, but critical. Start and keep a home improvement list. As a single mom, it's all too easy to get caught up in the hectic pace of daily life and let routine home maintenance fall by the wayside. I divide my home improvement list into three sections: one for items that need attention in the next three months; one for home improvement projects for the coming year; and one that maps out what I want to accomplish with the house over the next five years. The short- and medium-term lists keep me motivated, while my long-term list helps me save the money needed for the big-ticket items.
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