A Single Mom’s Guide to Home Improvement
My boy was about to turn 3 and I reveled in the security of owning my piece of the American dream when I purchased my home 9 years earlier. Being a single mommy was (and is!) both gratifying and tough, however I understood that having a home to call my own was the very best thing that ever took place to my child and me.
I believe my method of handling (or not managing) house enhancements is relatively normal for single females who own their own houses. Ideally, my experiences will assist you browse the waters of house enhancement.
They likewise provided me a book on fundamental house repair work. Their present actually supplied me with the tools I required, however it likewise provided me self-confidence that I might take on small house enhancement jobs. My recommendations: invest in some tools and utilize a book or online sources to direct you through the regular upkeep that your home needs.
As a single lady who is now 49 years old and has actually restricted understanding of more intricate house enhancement concerns, I’m constantly scared that I’ll be taken benefit by a repair work business. When my air conditioner conked out on a 100-plus degree day, for example, I had no method of understanding if I truly required a brand-new system. I’ve discovered to call on next-door neighbors, household members, and good friends – whose cumulative understanding goes beyond mine – to get their impressions.
All of the homes in my instant area were developed by the very same contractor at approximately the very same time. Getting to understand my next-door neighbors and talking to them about house enhancement has actually assisted me get a sense of what to prepare for. 2 years ago I started to see that the homes around me were beginning to get brand-new roofs.
Through my next-door neighbors’ recommendations, I’ve been able to discover an excellent roofer, a remarkable outside home painter, and a great tile person. I constantly – repeat, constantly – examine with my state’s professional licensing board to validate their licenses and with the Better Business Bureau to examine on previous grievances. I get all quotes in composing, and ask for evidence of insurance coverage.
There has actually been more than one event when I’ve selected not to deal with a house enhancement concern, and I’ve constantly regretted it. I understood, for example, that the outside of my fireplace had some dry rot.
Start and keep a house enhancement list. As a single mama, it’s all too simple to get captured up in the busy rate of day-to-day life and let regular house upkeep fall by the wayside. I divide my house enhancement list into 3 areas: one for products that require attention in the next 3 months; one for house enhancement jobs for the coming year; and one that maps out what I desire to achieve with the home over the next 5 years.
I believe my method of handling (or not managing) house enhancements is relatively common for single ladies who own their own houses. As a single female who is now 49 years old and has actually restricted understanding of more complicated house enhancement problems, I’m constantly scared that I’ll be taken benefit by a repair work business. Getting to understand my next-door neighbors and talking to them about house enhancement has actually assisted me get a sense of what to prepare for. There has actually been more than one celebration when I’ve picked not to deal with a house enhancement concern, and I’ve constantly regretted it. I divide my house enhancement list into 3 areas: one for products that require attention in the next 3 months; one for house enhancement tasks for the coming year; and one that maps out what I desire to achieve with the home over the next 5 years.