What many people who have never owned a home may not know is that there is a lot of maintenance that goes into owning a home. It’s different when you’re renting a home or living in an apartment, as the landlord is ultimately responsible for bigger maintenance projects. Here are five professional services that you may need to hire one day as a homeowner.
#1: Cleaning Services
Cleaning is a basic task that the majority of people do daily. However, when it comes to cleaning your home, it can become overwhelming— particularly if you have a bigger home and/or multiple people living in your home. This is when hiring a cleaning service can be helpful, especially a deep cleaning service that will professionally clean every nook and cranny of your home.
Just keep in mind that most cleaning services are hired on a weekly, not daily, basis. However, you can hire in-home housekeeping services to clean your home every day if you choose.
#2: Handyman And Repair Services
The majority of homeowners will tell you that something is going to break down or need repair during the time you’re living in your home. Some homeowners will be able to handle a lot of home repairs themselves, but most homeowners are going to need to call a handyman or repair service. However, everyone (who is not a professional) should call a professional service for these types of work:
- Window replacements
- Roof repairs
- Plumbing
- HVAC (heating/ventilation/air conditioning)
- Foundation repair
- Electric work
Examples of repairs and upgrades that you can do yourself include putting down new flooring, building/repairing your deck, and replacing kitchen and bathroom hardware. Many other home repairs require extensive knowledge and expertise in order to be done safely and correctly.
#3: Pest Control Services
No matter where you live in the United States, you’re going to encounter some type of pest in your home from time to time, whether it’s something small like ants (especially in new constructions) or a bigger pest such as a raccoon. Some of the most common pest problems in the U.S. by region include:
- Midwest: biting and stinging insects, rodents, and spiders
- Northeast: beetles, cabbage worms, gophers and moles, stink bugs, and termites
- Pacific Northwest: bed bugs, rodents, and spiders
- Southeast: cockroaches, fleas, mosquitoes, termites, and ticks
- Southwest: centipedes, scorpions, and termites
Some pest issues are obvious, but others (such as termites) may not become obvious to the untrained eye until it’s too late. Some of these pests may also carry disease, so it’s a good idea to call a pest control service if you suspect a pest issue.
#4: Radon Mitigation Services
Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that is found in every home in the U.S. because it’s a naturally-occurring substance. However, about 20% of homes in the U.S. have elevated radon levels, and this can be dangerous. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking), so it’s important to have your home checked for excess radon.
Another odorless and colorless gas that can build up in a home is carbon monoxide, and even though it’s hard for the average person to detect, there are some signs:
- Leaking appliances or heavy condensation around the appliance
- Discoloration (brown/yellow) stains around the leaking appliance
- Back-draft, fumes, or soot from fuel-burning equipment
- Air that smells like something is burning, stale, or stuffy
Having detectors that can alert you if there’s an excess of these gasses can be very helpful.
#5: Water Damage Restoration Services
Finally, as a homeowner you may need to hire a water damage restoration company, especially if you live in an area in the U.S. that’s prone to flooding such as (more recently) the Northeast, the Southeast, and the Pacific Northwest. Even if you don’t live in flood-prone areas, your home could possibly suffer water damage in other ways, such as a leak. Fortunately, there’s water restoration in Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; New Orleans, Louisiana; and many other major and minor cities in the U.S. that you can call— whether your water damage was due to flooding or a leak.
Other services you may need to hire for your home include lawn care and landscaping services, although these services may be more for aesthetics. If you want to remodel your home, you’ll need to hire contracting services to ensure the upgrades comply with building codes. No matter what you need done to your home, it’s important to do your research to determine if this is something that you can do on your own, or if hiring a professional would be a better option.
