For first-time homebuyers, there can be nothing as scary as the prospect of home repairs. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a drafty door or a crack in the basement wall, any sign that a house needs repairs can cause new homeowners’ hearts to sink. Although there are many home repairs that are easily within the DIY capabilities of even the most inexperienced homeowner, there are many others that should be handled by a professional.

Knowing that American homeowners will spend more than on home repairs and renovations in 2017, it’s important that homeowners know which repairs they can handle themselves and which ones need professional help.

Making a decision

Homeowners looking at repairs should first stop to consider if they are comfortable with doing the work on their own. Many problems around the house are fixed easily with a little knowledge and practice, but others can be too labor-intensive or complex for the do-it-yourselfer. Homeowners should use their best judgment when evaluating whether to call in a professional contractor. Trying to save a little money can backfire if the homeowner’s DIY efforts end up creating more problems than they solve.

Choosing a contractor

If a professional contractor’s help is required, homeowners need to be careful in choosing one. Some questions homeowners should ask contractors include:

• Can I have some references from past customers?
• Are you fully bonded and insured?
• Can you provide me with an estimate in writing?
• How do you accept payment?

If a contractor is reluctant or unwilling to answer those questions, that should be a red flag for homeowners. Other red flags include if a contractor insists on being paid in cash, or insists on being paid in full before the work begins.

Below is a list of some of the most common household issues homeowners may encounter, along with some tips for helping them make repairs on their own.

No homeowner looks forward to making repairs, but with the right knowledge beforehand they can be properly handled without too much hassle.

This guest post was written by Brandon Cartee, the owner of — a full-service specialty contracting company that helps both residential and commercial buildings throughout North and South Carolina.

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The lifespan of an air conditioner is 15 to 20 years, depending on how often it’s used. But chances are you’re going to need to replace your AC unit at one point or another, and when you do you’ll probably have some questions. For example, is buying an air conditioner online safe? Or is it safe to buy a second-hand or refurbished AC unit? We asked a 25-year veteran of the HVAC industry all of the important AC questions so you don’t have to.

We spoke to Erik Bryan, a licensed HVAC contractor and owner of , and asked what you need to know about buying an air conditioner online.

1. Be wary of ‘too good to be true’ pricing

If a low-priced unit looks too good to be true, it probably is. According to Bryan, most AC units sold online are sold by resellers and are not manufacturer endorsed, which can result in seemingly attractive pricing. “The consumer can purchase a new AC unit at a deep discount, but those generally do not include the product warranty,” explains Bryan. “Then they still need to find an installer and most licensed contractors will not install equipment from third-party sources,” he adds.

Be sure to verify exactly what is included with the air conditioner if the retail price is significantly lower than competitors.

2. Double-check the warranty

Read the full warranty before you make your purchase so that you’re aware of how long it will last, whether it’s a seller or manufacturer warranty, what it covers, and whether there are any limitations or conditions on the warranty.

“One of the most common mistakes that consumers make is not checking out the warranty details. You want the product warranty intact on such a large expenditure,” says Bryan.

Warranties for air conditioners range from one to 10 years and can cover everything from complete parts and labor, to the compressor. However, installing the unit improperly can void the warranty, so Bryan suggests securing a licensed contractor for the job.

How to maintain your appliances without voiding the warranty

3. Second-hand units might not be worth the savings

“Having a used unit without being able to register a warranty with the manufacturer, gives you absolutely no recourse on repairs or breakdown issues. Just like buying a used car, or a used appliance, you don’t know what you are really getting and there are no guarantees on how long it will last,” warns Bryan.

If you’re considering purchasing a second-hand or refurbished unit, try to avoid buying it ‘as is.’ Check if the seller has a current manufacturer’s warranty that is transferable, and what the terms of that warranty are. If the air conditioner is refurbished, ask the seller for details on what changes have been made to the unit.

4. Know what upgrades are required vs. recommended

While shopping for an air conditioner online, be sure to distinguish between required and recommended upgrades.

“Recommended upgrades might include the power system for the unit with things like a disconnect, whip, and plenum box, a new thermostat, or possibly some ductwork modifications.  In most cases, if these are recommendations, you can choose to add them on at the time of your installation or defer them until later as your budget permits,” explains Bryan.
Ask your HVAC professional about any add-ons prior to the installation to avoid any costly surprises.

5. Replacing broken parts may not be the best solution

Replacing broken components of your old unit may not be the most cost effective solution. According to the , today’s best air conditioners are 30% to 50% more efficient than units built in the 1970s, using significantly less energy to produce the same results.

“A 15-year-old condenser unit may not be compatible with a new air handler or vice versa. They might work, but the efficiency and lifespan of the unit can be greatly compromised,” adds Bryan.

Be sure to test the efficiency of your current unit along with the energy costs required to cool your home, and compare this to the cost of a new unit with installation. If you’ll be spending more money to maintain an old unit long-term, it may be worth installing a newer and more efficient unit.

How long will your home and everything in it last?

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According to , spring cleaning typically takes at least four hours per 1,000 square feet.

“You can clean virtually any house in about four hours a week. I learned this when I had a residential house cleaning business,” says . “The keys to being able to clean your house are organization and consistency.”

Although you don’t have to spring clean your home every weekend, getting organized and optimizing the task to make the process more efficient should help keep it as short and sweet as possible.

Select chores based on how much time you have to clean

What to clean depending on how much time you have available:

How to maintain your appliances without voiding your home warranty

Use apps and checklists

Top-rated apps like (free, Android) and ($3.99, iOS) have everything from checklists and reminders, to cleaning playlists and how-to videos. You can gamify your spring cleaning, split chores up between everyone in the house, or schedule them out.

Cleaning hacks

“Nobody wants to spend all their time cleaning,” says blogger and life hacker . Her cleaning hacks range from removing water stains from a table with a blow-dryer, to cleaning tight spaces with the tip of a ketchup bottle, and have been pinned 70,000 times.

YouTube is a good resource for cleaning hacks that have been tried and tested, with how-to videos typically offering detailed instructions that are easy to follow.

Take strategic breaks

Research shows that productivity increases if you incorporate frequent breaks into your work. “Every 90 minutes, our body tells us to take a break from what we’re doing because it’s getting tired,” explains productivity expert , adding that breaks a good way to refresh your focus.

Breaks are also a good time to hydrate and eat something to replenish your energy.

Do you have any spring cleaning tips to share?

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