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Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you may inevitably encounter real estate repairs. Some repairs should be outsourced to a professional, but there are many others you could consider doing yourself. Deciding which repairs to tackle yourself depends on several factors including your skill level, the time you have available, your budget, and the complexity of the repairs. Here are some of the most common real estate repairs that homeowners typically opt to do themselves.
INDOOR REAL ESTATE REPAIRS
Painting
Painting is a relatively inexpensive and simple task that can dramatically change the look of a property. Depending on how difficult the painting project is, and how long it will take, many homeowners decide to do the painting themselves. When sellers repair paint, we often recommend choosing neutral colors. According to Real Simple, you should opt for colors from the white, cream, light blue, or greige families.
Patching Drywall
Before painting, another repair that is imperative, is repairing or patching the drywall. If you are a seller making repairs for the buyer, you’ll want to close any holes in the drywall that might be there from hanging pictures, artwork, or clocks. Patching drywall is a DIY-friendly project and is not as time-consuming as other repairs. For larger drywall replacement projects, depending on your experience, you may want to hire a professional. However, for minor hole patches, this can easily be done yourself.
Replacing Hardware
Another easy do-it-yourself real estate repair is replacing any hardware around the home. While these repairs won’t necessarily come up on an inspection report, updating cabinet pulls, light fixtures, doorknobs, light switches, and more, can make a big visual difference in your property. These repairs aren’t costly and can be done even by a repair amateur.
Caulking
If your caulk needs repairing, you could be subjecting your home to water leaks or unnecessary drafts. Not to mention, old, cracking caulk can make your space look uncared for. Luckily, caulking is a quick and easy task. Pinterest, YouTube, and other areas of the Internet have lots of tutorial videos available. Watch those and you can become a caulking ace in no time.
Adding Insulation
Do you have drafty rooms or temperature variations throughout your home? It might be time to add or replace your insulation. If you need more or new insulation in your basement or attic, this is something you can do yourself, depending on the type of insulation you are choosing. Fiberglass batts and rolls or mineral wool insulation are both choices that can be tackled by a handy homeowner. Other types, or if insulation is needed in the ceiling or between walls, will need a professional.
Before moving forward, please note that insulation replacement or repair can be dangerous, so safety protocols should be followed. This article by Angi deep dives into insulation inspection and repair, and would be a good tool to use before opting to take this project on yourself.
Minor Plumbing Repairs
Fixing minor plumbing repairs yourself can be easy and save you a lot of money. Just remember to turn the water off before beginning! A few easy plumbing fixes are changing out showerheads, fixing leaky faucets, unclogging any drains, or fixing any pesky toilet issues.
OUTDOOR REAL ESTATE REPAIRS
Landscaping
Unless you have grading issues or need more extensive landscape fixes, there are many ways you can make your landscaping more lush solo. Keep in mind that many landscaping overhauls need time to take effect. If you know your grass is patchy or weedy, head to your local home improvement store and chat with a team member there. They can point you to the products and materials you will need to make your lawn fuller and greener yourself.
Deck Repair
Deck repairs can range from minor to major but feel confident that anything minor could be done yourself. You might simply need new screws or need to firm up any wobbly or warped boards. These fixes can be done independently. On top of repairing your deck, consider staining it. Nothing screams deck fresh better than a newly stained space.
LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS
While there are a lot of real estate repairs you can make yourself, there are also many that are best left to professionals. If you need to repair your roof, HVAC, foundation, plumbing (major), or electrical systems, don’t hesitate to call in an expert. Each of these areas has specialists that know the ins and outs, have the materials needed for the repairs, and can give you confidence that your repairs will be done accurately and competently.
Before attempting to do any of these repairs yourself, do some research and assess your abilities honestly. You don’t want to prepare for or start a project you cannot complete yourself. You’ll also want to consider how much time and effort each project will take and whether hiring someone to do it might be worth the time & money trade-off. My final piece of advice? When it doubt, sit it out. If you are not comfortable or confident, it’s best to leave the repair for someone who is.
If you are looking for a professional to assist you with any real estate repairs, I have a great rolodex of skilled handymen and handywomen who would be happy to help. For any recommendations, reach out to me here.
