homenickelpro

Repair Ready checklist

16 steps to be ready for home repairs: knowing your limits, a starter kit, a repair fund and a plan for hiring well.

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Be safe and ready

Before anything breaks.

  • Find the water, gas and electrical shutoffs Guide
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms Guide
  • Check if your home was built before 1978 (lead paint) Guide
  • Decide which jobs you'll never DIY Guide

Money ready

So repairs aren't emergencies.

  • Start a repair fund, even a small one Guide
  • Gather warranties and manuals in one folder Guide
  • Know your insurance deductible Guide
  • Do the small water-damage prevention jobs Guide

Tools ready

A small kit, and somewhere to borrow the rest.

  • Build a starter tool kit Guide
  • Find your nearest tool library or rental counter Guide
  • Get safety glasses, gloves and a voltage tester Guide

Ready to hire

For the jobs that need a pro.

  • Bookmark your local building department Guide
  • Write a one-page job description before calling Guide
  • Look up the contractor's license and insurance Guide
  • Agree a payment schedule tied to finished stages Guide
  • Know the warning signs of repair scams Guide