If you are a Filer rental property investor who also has a talent for handyman tasks, there’s a good chance that you’re doing some of your property maintenance work on your own. Some property maintenance and repairs are safe for the do-it-yourself landlord, although a few carry higher risks. As far as electrical and plumbing work is concerned, your lack of expertise could cause you to accidentally injure yourself or even result in the problem getting worse. For this reason, even do-it-yourself rental property owners need to learn how to prevent several of the hazards of electrical and plumbing work – and when to call the professionals.
There are several factors why property owners decide to do their property maintenance and repairs themselves. Sometimes you want to save money by finding a solution to some minor problems. Other times it feels good to know that you fixed the job yourself. And sometimes, you might enjoy doing the job. 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.
In terms of 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 damage if you take proper precautions and shut off electricity before starting the job.
Even now, any repair or maintenance tasks involving electricity carries inherent risks. Although you may assume you have shut down the power, you might be wrong. And if you are not sure 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. Instead of putting money aside, you’ve now made new, more costly issues – and your tenants might be in harm’s way 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 true for plumbing repairs. Simple fixes like substituting a toilet stopper or installing a new shower head are things that most do-it-yourselfers can handle safely. Especially when it is more of a maintenance task than an urgent repair, basic plumbing fixes shouldn’t take too much effort or expertise.
Yet, the more serious the circumstances, the more likely it is that you will be better off calling a professional. When your tenant contacts you in a frenzy 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 are required to address urgent plumbing repairs in the most expert, most effective manner possible. And most of the time, this means calling a plumber who can offer high-quality service.
Even if you are not actually dealing with emergency circumstances, sometimes calling an electrician or plumber is still the best decision. While it is a little bit expensive compared to doing the job on your own, it’s significant to keep in mind that hiring a professional comes with valuable benefits. Professionals typically carry the right insurance, have the proper tools and equipment for each task, and can complete the actual work more quickly and professionally. All things considered, it might be best to hire someone to handle all of the electrical and plumbing work your rental property needs.
To prevent the inconvenience of finding a maintenance team, reach the Filer property management professionals at Real Property Management Magic Valley, and inquire about our services.
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