As a DIY-er, one of your strengths is your resourcefulness. You’re always looking for new ways to improve your home and pick up new skills along the way.
Now that summer is officially over, it’s time to focus some of that ingenuity on your annual fall maintenance and winterization tasks. Preventative repairs make sure your house is ready for another harsh winter, and they come with a lot of energy savings.
But before you see any payoff, you’ll have to invest some time and money into these projects first. Do you know how you’ll afford them? Check this guide for ideas.
The Cost of Fall Maintenance, Repairs and Renovations
Some of these tasks you can do on your own, but you may need the help of a professional for others. Check out the costs of both below:
New Weather stripping: Having a professional seal leaks around doors and windows costs an average of $243. Doing it yourself is a more affordable option, costing you around $30.
Window Replacements: Looking to upgrade to energy-efficient windows? This may cost more than $800 per window.
Programmable Thermostat: A new thermostat ranges between $90 and $300 with smart options tending to fall on the more expensive side.
New Roof or Repair: Replacing your entire roof costs anywhere between $2,000 and $6,000, while a repair may cost $150–$400.
Furnace Tune-up: Depending on the task, a DIY tune-up may be free, or it could cost you $50–100 for parts. Hiring an HVAC professional tags on hundreds of dollars.
New Furnace: Size, make, and efficiency impacts the cost of a new furnace, but you could be spending between $665 and $1,836 on average. Hiring a professional could double your costs.
Save up
Proactive savings will always be the best way to take on regular and unexpected maintenance. But setting aside enough cash each month may be a challenge.
Put down your tools and pick up your budget to look for ways to boost your savings. Keep an eye out for unnecessary spending that limits what you save — stuff like buying a new power drill when you don’t need one or buying takeout coffee every time a friend helps you out.
Limit this kind of spending and reroute this cash to a short-term savings account. Automate these contributions to make saving even easier.
Borrow Sparingly
Tapping into an online line of credit may seem like a great idea, especially when you don’t have the patience to wait for your savings to grow.
However, an online line of credit is better suited as your safety net when things go wrong. By waiting to use it until an emergency, you’ll have more of your available limit to cover an unexpected expense.
Before you take out an online line of credit, check out these tips on surviving a financial emergency. They’ll help you understand the role your credit plays in your finances and DIY plans.
Ask about Financing
If a task is beyond your DIY expertise, asking a professional is a safe bet. But it’s not always an affordable one. Take, for example, installing a new furnace. Having an HVAC company install it doubles your costs, adding thousands of dollars to your bill.
Most HVAC professionals will have a financing program that helps offset these costs. Talk to yours about the possibility of splitting your bill over multiple payments. This, combined with an online line of credit, may help you take on costly essential upgrades.
Bottom Line
Household upkeep isn’t always cheap, but that’s no reason to put off important seasonal tasks. There’s a way to get them done, no matter how expensive they may be. Do your homework, consider DIY carefully, and remember these tips before you take on your next project. It can help you afford the next essential repair.
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