How to Prioritize House Repairs

When prioritizing household repairs, put cosmetic tasks at the end of the list.

House repairs can be intimidating because of the cost and effort they require, especially if you see a whole bunch of problems that need to be dealt with at once. You can reduce your stress by prioritizing the repairs. Focus on taking care of the most important items first--especially those involving safety--and then handle the other problems one by one.

Instructions

1. Identify problems that will cost even more to repair if put off, or that present a danger in your house. These include roof and foundation problems, water damage, problems with a water heater and broken windows. If you're having trouble with your home's electrical system, make it one of your first priorities. Faulty wiring is an immediate safety hazard.

2. Take care of security threats, such as broken locks, a damaged fence or a malfunctioning alarm system. (A busted lock on any of your doors should be one of your very first priorities.)

3. Address problems with flooring and stairs, as they can threaten safety. For instance, loose or broken steps should be fixed as soon as possible. Deep cracks in ceilings could indicate a problem in the joists that affects the safety of the floor above.

4. Repair or upgrade appliances, one by one, in order of importance. For example, repairing your stove should rank above fixing your washing machine, because you can always go to a laundry. Put refrigerator repairs at the top of the list, as spoiled food represents a significant loss of money (as is eating takeout because your fridge doesn't work). As you replace appliances, focus on energy efficiency. This is also a good time to upgrade windows and insulation.

5. Perform general maintenance on fixtures, such as faucets and lighting. Have your duct system cleaned to improve the air quality in the home.

6. Take care of cosmetic repairs last. If you can still live comfortably without doing the repair, then it classifies as cosmetic. This might include new cabinets for your kitchen, a complete remodel of your bathroom or basement, repainting or putting in hardwood floors.

References

• HomeTips.com: Prioritizing Your House Projects "Honey-Do" List