When dealing with home maintenance and repairs, there are many factors that play into how each situation should be handled. For instance, if you have something that is broken in your home, whether to repair it or to replace it depends on the type of item that is broken. Below are some tips that can be taken into consideration when dealing with your home troubles and setbacks!
Cost Consideration
If a specific item is damaged or no longer works, you should first evaluate whether it can be fixed at all or just completely broken. If the cost to repair the item is more expensive than the cost to just buy a new one, the better decision would be to purchase a completely new version of your item. However, if the impairment is minor, it would not be cost effective for the homeowner to buy a completely new item.
Age Consideration
It is very common for products to depreciate over time. For example, brands tend to release new and improved versions of their products on a yearly basis causing the ones sold in previous years to not be as efficient and impressive as the most recent version. Therefore, homeowners should always consider whether or not it is time to purchase a new version of whatever is giving you troubles. Understanding the life expectancy on your items can help you get started. A good item to use as an example for this tip is a television. Over the years, technology is changing rapidly causing these types of products to improve and advance immensely at a very fast pace. Furthermore, the other products that go along with television sets such as cable boxes, receivers, and other accessories are going to adapt as well and may not be compatible with older versions of televisions. This is why this item would be one that should be replaced instead of repaired.
Renting Considerations
In the case of the homes that we manage, anything that is malfunctioning or damaged as a result of normal wear and tear is our responsibility as representatives of the owners to repair/replace. That is part of the draw for some people to rent; the peace of mind that if something breaks down, all they have to do is make a phone call and it is taken care of. If the repair technician finds that the damage or malfunction is due to the renter’s negligence or malice, that cost becomes the tenant’s responsibility.
Warranty Consideration
If you have a warranty on a product it may be more efficient to have the company who issued you the warranty just supply, you with a new product for free or a low cost. Additionally, warranties can mean that the consumer receives unlimited repairs on the item or improved and more personalized customer service if the issue would arise that the item breaks or needs a repair.
