Home maintenance can feel like a lot. Repairs and even routine upkeep can seem daunting —and if you aren’t already handy, completely overwhelming. But putting off repairs can lead to bigger issues down the road (and cost even more money). Even if you don’t have much experience, or just need to understand how to request the right repair, have no fear. There are plenty of things you can do to get past your anxiety and approach fixing things around your home with confidence.
Where to find good home-maintenance advice
One of the biggest obstacles for folks who are new to doing maintenance and repairs is getting the right advice. On top of finding conflicting opinions on social media about how to deal with a particular issue, it can be intimidating to ask for help, especially if the help is coming from someone who has authority or is dismissive of your concerns or questions. While getting past this hurdle can be tough, there are a few good places you can look for friendly, non-judgmental advice on how to tackle a particular repair.
One of my favorite sources of information on DIY and maintenance—especially for apartment dwellers—is Mercury Stardust. Her new podcast, Maintenance is a Drag, is a question-and-answer show that takes a few projects from the audience and helps walk them through a solution. For general tips, her TikTok also has a plethora of sound advice topped off with a healthy dose of reassurance—and some comedy, too. Feel free to ask her a question; she’ll often respond.
For instruction from a maintenance pro focused on empowering women to wield tools and tackle maintenance, See Jane Drill offers a variety of instructions for various projects, helpful tips and tricks, and instructions for how to operate particular tools. While her channel is geared toward women, anyone who wants to learn about maintenance can benefit from her helpful and approachable videos. You can also check out the See Jane Drill Website for articles as well as a tool database lookup and more, all geared towards beginners.
How to plan ahead for maintenance and repairs
Since some maintenance is routine, like switching out the filters in your HVAC or cleaning out your dryer vent, these things can be a part of a regular plan you set up to stay on top of home maintenance. You can begin a plan like this by taking note of your appliances and fixtures and recording the manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule. Then, you can add annual and semi-annual tasks like clearing gutters or reversing your ceiling fans. Build these tasks into a calendar to make a schedule. Knowing what’s coming up can help reduce anxiety and keep your regular maintenance on track. There are apps like Home Keep that can help you build your calendar if you’re not sure where to start. The monthly subscription is $1.99/month.
When it comes to emergencies like storms or wildfires, it’s harder to predict exactly what you’ll need. However, beginning a maintenance fund, even if you only put a few dollars in it per month, can help you to prepare for emergencies and surprise repair costs. If you’re a homeowner, having a home warranty can also help to defray costs of repairs along with your homeowners insurance. For renters, getting to know the maintenance policy attached to your rental agreement can give you a sense of what your responsibilities are and what your landlord should be taking care of.
If you’re concerned about finding reputable pros to help with things you can’t do yourself, it’s worth asking friends and neighbors about their experiences. Starting with some information you trust before you need to call in a pro will make it easier to choose when you're in a stressful situation.
How to request maintenance
If you live in an apartment, you’ll need to request certain repairs from your building management or from your landlord. Repairs you shouldn’t do on your own include electrical work, leaky plumbing or water coming in from outside. These problems might require a phone call, but you should also make an official request for repairs in writing. That’s because as a renter, you are usually responsible for notifying your landlord of any problems. Once your landlord knows there’s a problem, it’s on them to fix it, so having an official correspondence is important. You can find a variety of free templates for requesting maintenance for your apartment from management if your building doesn’t have forms available.
If you have a house and you need a repair, you can check with your homeowner’s insurance about emergency-related repairs, and you can also check with your home warranty company before calling a repair professional to make sure your repairs will be covered. You should also check to see if your appliance or fixture is under warranty from the manufacturer or installer before paying out of pocket for repairs. These are some ways you can take advantage of the insurance and warranty coverage you’re likely already paying for to reduce the cost of repairs.