Most people wait to call a professional until something’s on fire, or the air conditioner implodes in August, or they are waist deep in brackish water—and then they call the first number in the phone book. So now, on top of the looming disaster, they’re at the mercy of a complete stranger. How delightful. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Plan Ahead

In order to win the first battle of home repair, know whom to call in an emergency ahead of time. Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Soon after moving into your new home, make a point of asking your new neighbors to recommend their favorite local tradesmen, and keep that list close to hand just in case you need it in a pinch.

Make a List

Another way to plan ahead is to get in the habit of writing down questions about your home as they occur to you. Many minor issues arise in our homes that don’t necessarily warrant an emergency house call, but are still vaguely worrying nonetheless. Write these down, and in the event you do hire a repairman, you’ll have a handy reference for any other concerns about your home that you may want to discuss with a professional.

Find Your Non-Emergency Repairman

If the necessary repair is not threatening to life or property, take the time to find the best possible professional you can.

* Ask around, talk to your neighbors, poll your friends, and look for consensus.
* Interview at least 3 candidates.
* Make sure all candidates are licensed, insured, and bonded—ask for a certificate of insurance.
* Make sure the work is guaranteed, and always get a receipt.
* Get a written estimate that states the work to be done, quality and type of materials to be used, length of the time the job takes, and total cost.
* Average the written estimates of all bids, and the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.
* Once you have bids in hand, compare the cost of repair to the cost of replacement. If the given system is nearing the end of its life, think hard before spending serious money to shore it up.
* Experience counts far more than affordability. Sometimes you get what you pay for: Don’t just go for the lowest bid.
* Finally, you might consult the Better Business Bureau to check the references of anyone you’re considering hiring.

Warning Signs

Sometimes repair professionals aren’t so professional. While these behaviors may or may not be legal in your community, some signs should be considered as red flags. Here are some tips for identifying those repairmen to avoid:

* They drive unmarked vehicles.
* They have a post office box but no physical address for their business.
* They offer to do the work for you without proper permits, or only if you acquire the permits yourself.
* They claim to “do it all.”
* They want money before work has been completed.

Keep in mind that any repairperson who is impatient with reasonable questions, resistant to agreements in writing, or too pushy is giving you a preview of what it will be like during the repair. You have to assume that they’re on their best behavior when competing for your business—and it’ll only go downhill from there. Thank him for his time, show him the door, and then feed his business card to the dog. There are lots of honest, hardworking professionals out there. Keep looking and you’ll find one.

Use Your Time Wisely

If you retain people to do repairs, even if you’re paying by the hour, use that opportunity. For only a short time, you have access to a licensed professional who knows aspects of your house far better than you do. Talk to them. If possible, start assembling questions ahead of time. Pick their brains about the relative condition of the system needing repair, what you can do to extend its life, things to watch out for, maintenance tips, and how much time you have before you must consider complete replacement. Repair professionals will likely offer you much of this input without any prompting, but if a question occurs to you, feel free to ask. You’re paying for it.

One Step Further

If asked nicely, your repairman might consent to take a quick look at other parts of the house where you have concerns, and advise you on those as well. This is a delicate dance for some. It’s important to strike a balance between using the opportunity while you’re paying for the time, and coming across like you’re trying to get something for nothing. For example, having a plumber also glance at the condition of some other part of the pipes while he’s there to repair your water heater is fair game, but asking him to crawl under the house to look for drips is a bit much.

Looking Ahead

Once the job is finished, and the work has been done well, hang onto that business card. Now that your repairman has a feel for your home, he may well be your best bet the next time troubles arise.

Written by Robert Bundy for Homeminders

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