If you want to save money on home repairs, below are my 3 hacks to save you money. You should check with the city/county regarding what repairs require building permits. And, you should check with your state contractors license board for tips on hiring a contractor.

1. DIY (Do-It-Yourself)

Some people have interest and time to make home repairs themselves. This would definitely save you money on home repairs. But, you may need to invest in the right tools so you can make the repairs in a professional manner. Did you know that Home Depot offers workshops on how to do specific projects yourself? For more information, click here.

2. Shop around

If you’re not a “do-it-yourselfer,” then I would recommend to meet with at least two contractors to obtain written estimates. You’ll typically learn something new from each contractor in terms of the work a project entails. You’ll also typically see a difference in estimated price. But, you’ll want to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. That is, you’ll want to ensure the contractors are using comparable materials, doing the same work, offering similar warranties on materials and labor, have similar payment terms, licensed/bonded/insured, etc. Hence the importance of getting estimates in writing.

3. Buy and pick up materials yourself

You may be able to save some money if you find specialized vendors for your project’s materials and by them yourself. As opposed to buying from a big box store or having a contractor purchase/deliver materials. Some vendors will deliver the materials for free if you purchase enough materials. I remember finding a vendor that sold only molding, like base boards and crown molding. They were significantly cheaper than the big box stores. A great resource for specialized vendors is Google or Yelp.