Home Repair and Renovation Resource Guide
When planning to complete any work to your home, everything from small repairs to large renovation projects, there are a few questions that you may want ask before any work begins:
Will this project protect or increase the value of your home? Is it a want or a necessity?
Tasks that maintain the safety and/or energy efficiency of your home generally help to protect the value of your investment. If neglected, small maintenance problems can lead to major home repair issues and lessen the value of your home. Prioritizing these tasks ahead of other projects that may increase the look or appeal of your home will also affect how you plan on paying for them.
For more information on home safety and energy efficiency, please visit:
NeighborWorks America Consumer Information www.nwconsumer.org
Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing www.pathnet.org
Southface www.southface.org
ENERGY STAR www.energystar.gov
What will this project cost? What can you afford? How will you pay for it?
Planning ahead and budgeting for home repairs will give you more flexibility in maintaining your home and may help decrease the incidence of large-scale and/or emergency repair projects. In addition to contributing to a home maintenance savings account, have enough money in reserve to pay your homeowner’s insurance deductible. Avoid going into debt for cosmetic renovations. When financing is necessary, investigate your opportunities thoroughly and compare rates and other terms.
For more information on household budgeting and financing, please visit:
US Financial Literacy and Education Commission www.mymoney.gov
Insurance Information Institute www.iii.org
The HomeOwnership Center, Inc. www.hocwv.org
Is this a project that you will be able to complete, or will you need to hire a contractor?
Completing a home repair or renovation project can be both cost-saving and rewarding. However, do-it-yourself projects typically take longer to complete and can easily go over the initial budget and time frame. Don’t commit yourself to a home repair project simply because you think it will save you money. Ensure that you have not only the technical capacity but also the time to see the project through completion. Also consider that hiring a contractor to complete the work may be a better option to ensure that work is completed in a timely manner and within your financial resources.
For more information on working with a contractor, please visit:
The National Association of Home Builders www.nahb.org
WV Department of Labor www.wvlabor.org
