Maintenance Matters

Your friendly local home maintenance expert and RH Uncovered columnist Rob Becvar, is here to help solve those lingering questions and D.I.Y dilemmas!

No one wants the hassle of replacing a single door or window pane if they can’t find the time or don’t have the skills to do it. But what’s the alternative?

We all want to think we can do it ourselves but is that the right decision?

Before you ever take on a job in your home or someone else’s consider the following:

1. If you can’t see what’s causing an issue, you could do more damage trying to find the cause of it yourself.
2. If you can see what needs doing, be honest about whether you have the skills to do it.
3. Never try to fix a problem that’s beyond you and before you do, think about how much it might cost to fix if you mess up. Leaky roof? Put that ladder away!

Finding The Right Help

Traders won’t come flying through the door to fix small jobs if they don’t see much in it for them, and this is where many people turn to less experienced handymen.

“My Dad’s mate does a bit of DIY”. “My cousin’s boyfriend used to fit windows”. Word of mouth is a common pathway for many tradesmen to find work, but that’s for jobs we know we can do. Whether on a budget or pushed for time, turning to the first person who says yes to the job, isn’t always a good move.

So, my advice would be:

• Get small jobs done when you’ve already got builders in for a bigger job.
• Ask around and find somebody local with D.I.Y skills who can help.
• Do your research and find a contractor to work on the problem for you at a good price.

That last point might sound obvious, but there are enough skilled traders out there including RBPM Direct that can help. Always look for ones with good reviews!
Rob Becvar, RBPM Direct