Housing...Inside and Out

March 28, 1999
Should You Make Your Own Home Repairs

Owning a home has long been an American dream. For most families, buying a home represents their most significant lifetime investment. Anyone who has ever purchased a home knows well the initial cost of a house.

But many people are not aware of the continuing cost of maintaining and repairing it. As cost of materials and labor has increased, more homeowners have assumed the role of "handyman."

The main reasons for making home repairs are to maintain and improve the condition of the building. Houses, like everything else, grow older and need to be repaired and maintained to prevent deterioration and loss of value.

Having damage or decay can become a serious problem. Therefore, it is important that you examine your house at least once a year. Know the condition of the materials on and under the surface, then make a plan. Do not try to make repairs piecemeal.

After you have examined your house, decide whether you will make the repairs yourself or call a professional.

To decide whether you should make the repairs yourself or hire an expert, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What type of repair must be made and how extensive is the job?
  • Do you know how to do the job well or can you learn? 
  • Base your planning on your own abilities, not those of people you know. Avoid the cost of having to repeat the same repair job because you did a poor job or used faulty material. 
  • Are reputable repairmen available, or if they are, how competitive are their prices: 
  • Will the repair require more materials than labor or more than materials? Remember, you must pay the same for materials whether you do it yourself or not. 
  • Are standard types of materials required: Also, is it possible to purchase the materials you need in your area without a problem? 
  • How much will you save if you do the work yourself: The cost may not compare to the difficulty of the job, but price will help you set the limit beyond which you may not wish to risk your money and time.
  • How much time will it take? Don't begin a repair job unless you have the time to do it right.
  • How important is the amount of money you can save compared to your time?

Once you begin a repair and invest your time and money, do not expect a professional to come in and finish the job for substantially less than what he or she would have originally charged.


Written by Dr. Francis Graham (Retired)

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