If you are a Suffolk rental property investor who also happens to have a few handyman skills, there’s a good chance that you cope with a lot of your property maintenance duties yourself. While quite a few property maintenance and repairsare harmless for the do-it-yourself landlord, a few of them carry higher risks. On the subject of electrical and plumbing work, your lack of expertise could cause you to accidentally injure yourself or even result in the problem getting worse. That’s why, even do-it-yourself rental property owners should discover ways how to avoid various of the hazards of electrical and plumbing work – and when to call the professionals.
There are numerous motives why property owners opt to do their property maintenance and repairs themselves. Sometimes you are trying to save money by solving minor issues. Some people feel satisfied knowing that they did the job themselves. And for others, they might enjoy the task itself. But for plumbing and electrical tasks, it is important to know which repairs you can safely do yourself and when it’s smarter to hire a licensed professional.
Concerning electricity, the more you know, the safer you are. Simple maintenance tasks like replacing light bulbs, outlets, and breakers can often be completed quickly and safely. You can avoid disasters if you take proper precautions and shut off electricity before starting the job.
Nevertheless, any repair or maintenance tasks involving electricity carry inherent risks. Even if you think you’ve shut down the power, you might be incorrect. So if you are not entirely convinced about your wiring job, you could damage light fixtures, appliances, and more. Even small mistakes can result in you electrocuting yourself or cause an electrical fire. Either way, instead of saving yourself a few bucks, you have now developed new, more costly, and stressful problems – and your tenants might have be in jeopardy as well. These are all good reasons to consider hiring a licensed electrician to perform even basic electrical repairs and maintenance.
The same aspect is right to plumbing repairs. Simple fixes like installing a toilet stopper or installing a new shower head are things that most do-it-yourselfers can handle safely. Specifically, if it is more of a maintenance task than an urgent repair, basic plumbing fixes do not take far too long or expertise.
However, the more serious the circumstances, the more likely you will be better off calling a professional. In case your tenant calls you panicking over a broken pipe, a backed-up drain, or malfunctioning garbage disposal, this is not the time to try and figure out how to fix it yourself. The longer water is flowing unchecked into your rental home, the more damage it will cause. As a property owner, you must need to address urgent plumbing repairs in the most efficient, most effective approach possible. And most of the time, that means calling a plumber who can deliver high-quality service.
However, in case you are not handling a crucial condition, often having an electrician or plumber is always the best solution. Granting it would cost you more just doing the work yourself, it’s significant to bear in mind that hiring a professional comes with valuable benefits. Professionals typically carry the right insurance, always have the proper tools and equipment for every kind of job, and can finish the work quicker and more effectively. All things considered, it might be best to hire someone to handle all of the electrical and plumbing work your rental property needs.
To avoid the trouble of finding a maintenance team, contact the Suffolk property management professionals at Real Property Management Hampton Roads and ask about our services.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
