When you’re a single parent, you have double responsibilities. You are in charge of everything including childcare and the household chores. You might be even working more than a single job just to make sure all the bills are paid and your kids are well taken care of.
According to statistics, the U.S. ranks number one when it comes to the highest rate of kids residing in a single-parent household. You already have your hands full of work and ensuring the kids are fed on time. If there is one more thing that could be bugging your restless mind, that would be the costly home maintenance and repairs.
The last thing you want to happen is to face numerous financial emergencies caused by your inability to prioritize home upkeep. But with your hands already full, how can you take the time off to take care of the house, let alone maintain it? There are a few secrets even the busiest homeowners do to ensure they keep up with home maintenance and repairs.
Start With a Home Maintenance Checklist
There are lots of things you ought to maintain around the house. But then, there are things you can’t afford to forget. Being too busy is not enough excuse to skip a necessary maintenance task as this can save hundreds of dollars in the long run.
So, make sure you have a maintenance checklist in place. You can simply copy one off of the internet. Just make sure it lists the maintenance tasks you need to do for every season. This will help you ensure you don’t forget anything.
Don’t forget to add a deep cleaning schedule. This will enable you to inspect the house for any signs of wear, tear, or damage. This way, you can tackle everything you missed cleaning during our regular and daily cleaning sessions.
Have a List of Reliable Local Contractors Ready
You can never tell when you will need a professional to inspect, maintain, or even repair an appliance or system. It will be easier for you to call the pros if you already have their contacts in place. Researching ahead of time is a good way to save yourself from the hassle of not knowing whom to call in cases of emergency repairs.
Do a bit of online research to find local contractors, plumbers, electricians, and the like. You can also consider asking your family, friend, or neighbor about a reliable handyman they worked with in the past. Make sure to check their reviews and have at least three contacts for each category to match.
Save their numbers on your phone and a separate record somewhere you can easily see them. This could be your phone book or a simple note on your fridge. You should not wait for an emergency behavior you find yourself professionals you will need.
Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help
There are home maintenance and repair jobs you can safely tackle without a license. But if you have no skills yet, you can always ask someone for help. Don’t simply ask a relative, friend, neighbor, or landlord to help you with a DIY project.
Make sure you are present and ask relevant questions to learn how they do it. Knowing how to DIY home maintenance can save you thousands of dollars each year. Instead of simply watching a DIY video, having someone come over so you can ask them to teach you is always a better choice.
Don’t feel guilty for spending money on a cleaning service as you, too, deserve a break. Also, it won’t hurt to ask someone to watch over the kids for you while you DIY home maintenance. This could be your older child, a friend, a relative, or a trusty old neighbor.
Look for a Home Improvement Grant
When you’re already on a tight budget, you can consider looking for a home improvement grant. There are many states that aim to help their single-parent residents in covering the costs of home repairs, updates, and improvements. You just need to a bit of research to see if you qualify.
Did you know that there are other loans and grants available for single mothers? The FHA, VA, and USDA offer loans or grants if you qualify for their program. Different options offer different benefits and risks, so make sure to do your homework before you take the plunge.
Consider a Home Warranty
You may already have home insurance in place. But this won’t help ensure you are well covered in case of system and appliance failure. Normal wear and tear are unavoidable, making a home warranty a must.
This can help cover for the unexpected breakdowns of your home systems and appliances. There are home warranties offered at an affordable price, giving you peace of mind at the right time.
Maintaining a house is not for the faint heart. But since you’re the homeowner, it becomes your responsibility to keep up with the home repairs. This list can help you make home maintenance more manageable, even if you’re a single parent working hard to give your kids the best in life.
