Managing a family home is no small thing, as many Australians realize when they take possession of their first home. When you consider the many systems that can be found in a modern home, you will find mains water, waste, electricity, and telecommunications, not to mention central heating or other forms of climate control.
If you are new to property maintenance and management, here are a few top tips from builders on how to manage a family-size home.
- Carry out regular inspections – The roof is the one component that cannot be seen from ground level, and that means asking a local roofing contractor to inspect the roof, which should be done at 6-month intervals. Should the tradesperson discover a few missing roof tiles, they can be promptly replaced, saving your property from further damage. Taking a proactive approach will save you money on building repairs.
- Keep on track of major appliance maintenance – Check the manual on your new luxury washer dryer combo and make a note of servicing frequencies. Do the same with all major appliances and your heating & a/c system. Only with correct maintenance will these appliances keep working as they should, and keep a record of all service and repair work.
- Pre-source essential home services – There are certain trades that you are going to need at some time in the future; these include plumber, electrician, drain specialist, tree surgeon, and HVAC engineer. Pre-source local providers and screen them in the event you need an emergency plumber; his number is in your smartphone memory.
- Don’t delay repairs – The old saying, ‘a stitch in time saves nine,’ certainly applies when it comes to property maintenance. If there is a minor issue and it is not addressed, it will quickly become a major issue that will cost more to fix. As soon as you become aware of a problem, arrange for repairs to be carried out, and you’ll save money.
- DIY isn’t difficult – With perhaps the exception of electrical work, building repairs are within most people’s capabilities. We have YouTube to show us how to carry out any type of home repair or improvement. Invest in decent tools, and the sky is the limit; while you will save so much money on labor costs, you can buy that sports car you’ve always dreamed of.
- Choosing contractors – Of course, there are many contractors out there, all promising the Earth, and how do you know which to entrust your property to? Start by checking Google Reviews, which is totally independent; any contractor with higher than 4.5 stars is doing something right. Google can help you find out how people in the local community view a particular company, and you can make an informed decision.
Keeping a home in good order maintains its value, and for such a big investment, it makes total sense to carry out essential maintenance.
