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Life is full of tasks that need to be done: there are jobs to do, cleaning and the maintenance of our homesconducting medical exams, feeding ourselves and our families – the list of tasks is endless. And your reward for crossing something off that list? Probably more tasks. Keeping up with it all (and even knowing what needs to be done) can also be stressful, so we’re often happy to pay someone to take care of certain things for us. But only because you may Paying someone to provide a service for you doesn’t mean it’s always worth it. While everyone’s DIY skills (and specific needs) are of course different, you can often save yourself a little money and wasted effort by doing things yourself—or not doing them at all.
Cleaning of air ducts
If you have forced air heating or central air conditioning in your home, you’ve probably been approached by someone about cleaning your ducts. The usual argument is that this will make your HVAC systems more efficient and make the air in your home healthier by removing all the gross dust and other contaminants.
But there is no evidence This duct cleaning actually prevents health problems, according to the EPA, and unless your ducts are completely clogged with dust, infested with vermin (or visibly filled with mold), it will likely have little effect on cooling or heating. If you sleep better at night knowing you can eat your dinner from inside your canal, then they are easy to clean DIYso don’t bother paying anyone up to $1,000 for the service.
Picture frame
The city I live in has six Frame shops. Since this isn’t a big city, I have to assume that at least some of these businesses are just fronts for organized crime. I mean, I had to frame maybe half a dozen pictures in my frame whole lifeSo I can’t imagine this being a high volume business.
And if you Do If you need something framed, you’re simply better off buy a frame from Target or elsewhere. There just isn’t much difference in what the final product will look like when it’s finished on your wallTherefore, it only makes sense to go to a frame shop to pay for the service if you have something with unique dimensions or really want a custom frame and presentation.
Roof cleaning
If you want your roof to last, it needs regular maintenance. This also includes regular removal of leaves, branches, etc Snow from the roof itself and hold the Gutters free. Not everyone is comfortable or able to climb onto their roof, so many people simply hire someone to do these maintenance tasks (or just skip them altogether, which is a bad idea).
But you don’t have to get it To the roof to clean it. Many homeowners can invest in one Roof rake and a Gutter rake And in just a few minutes, you can remove most of the dirt or snow from your roof and gutters with minimal physical effort and no time spent on a ladder regretting your recent life decisions.
Furniture and carpet protection
When purchasing a piece of upholstered furniture or a new carpet, you are often asked to purchase a fabric protection plan in case of a stain or accidental damage. This is essentially overpriced insurance that you don’t really need, even if you’re moving the furniture or carpet into a home where there are lots of children who resemble wild animals. For one thing, you can apply your own Fabric protection spray pretty cheap and easy, and it will work just as well. On the other hand, you can get most stains from the carpet or Material with a little effort.
Basement waterproofing
If your basement or crawl space is damp every time it rains or has standing water, there are certain steps you can take should Take, for example, a sump pump, which can help drain away standing water. But hiring a waterproofing company probably isn’t worth it for one simple reason: it’s about eliminating a symptom, not the cause. Sealing the Inner Your basement solution probably won’t work because, as every homeowner knows, water is an insidious demon that always finds a way into your home – often mysteriously. If you want a dry basement, you have to do this address external forces: The condition of the soil around your home, the condition of your gutters (using gutter extensions can ensure water doesn’t just spill onto your foundation), and the installation of a rain garden. There may be situations where paying for interior waterproofing is the right move, but that only comes after you look at the relatively simple and inexpensive things outside the house.
Home warranties
There are arguments for this pay a home warrantybut they all arise from desperation: you don’t have the enormous amount of money needed to pay for certain repairs, so you opt to pay a small monthly fee in case the worst happens. The average cost is $1,049 annuallywhich isn’t nothing, and most warranties are chock full of it maximum payouts and other exceptionsSo the insurance coverage you get is usually a much less than you might expect. Additionally, home warranties typically require you to use specific contractors and replace the parts with approved brands and models, which are rarely of the best quality. Better to save the $1,000 each year to build an emergency maintenance fund.
Home security
Having a security system for your home isn’t a bad idea – evidence suggests it’s a pretty good deterrent, as professional thieves want to avoid the potential extra work involved. But Police response can be slowand they often have a high false alarm rate. Smart doorbells with cameras deter would-be thieves in a similar way to traditional home security systems and offer a number of other features, such as: B. the ability to see who is at your door (and what they are doing) and even talk to them. If you want a whole-house system, there are robust models available free options which provide the main deterrent benefit with no service charge.
Stay Ahead of the Curve!