As a rental property investor, you may feel confident in your handyman skills and take pride in handling many of your property maintenance tasks yourself. However, when it comes to more complex property maintenance and repairs, like electrical and plumbing work, the risks can quickly outweigh the benefits. Even if you have experience, attempting these types of repairs can lead to accidentally injuring yourself, worsening the problem, or even putting your tenants at risk. It’s crucial for do-it-yourself rental property owners to understand how to avoid many of the hazards that come with such tasks.
There are many reasons why property owners choose to do their property maintenance and repairs themselves. Sometimes you are trying to save money by addressing simple problems. Sometimes you feel better knowing you did the work yourself. And sometimes, you might simply enjoy it. However, 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.
Why Electrical Safety Should Be a Priority for Homeowners
When it comes to 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 injuries if you take proper precautions and shut off electricity before starting the job.
Still, any repair or maintenance tasks involving electricity carry inherent risks. You might be wrong even if you think you’ve shut off the power. And if you aren’t entirely sure about your wiring job, you could damage light fixtures, appliances, and more. Even small mistakes can result in you electrocuting yourself or causing an electrical fire.
Either way, instead of saving yourself some money, you’ve now created new, more expensive problems – and possibly endangered your tenants as well. These are all good reasons to consider hiring a licensed electrician to perform even basic electrical repairs and maintenance.
When to Call a Plumber for Urgent Rental Property Repairs
Similarly, basic plumbing repairs such as replacing a toilet stopper or installing a new shower head are generally safe and easy for most do-it-yourselfers. But as with electrical work, more serious issues can arise, and the consequences can be far more severe. When faced with a broken pipe, a malfunctioning garbage disposal, or another urgent repair, the best course of action is to call a licensed plumber.
If your renter calls you in a panic over an urgent plumbing issue, the damage caused by water can quickly escalate if you delay or attempt a quick DIY fix. As a property owner, addressing urgent plumbing repairs promptly and professionally can prevent more severe water damage and minimize costly repairs.
Even if you aren’t facing an urgent situation, sometimes calling an electrician or plumber is still the right choice. Although it will cost you more than if you did the work yourself, it’s important to remember that hiring a professional comes with valuable benefits.
Although hiring professionals may cost more than if you did the work yourself, it’s important to remember that professionals have the right insurance, tools, and experience to handle these complex tasks. When faced with an urgent repair, it’s always best to leave it to the pros.
For professional help with electrical and plumbing repairs, trust Real Property Management Pocatello to provide reliable, efficient service. Call us at 208-234-10000 or contact us to discuss your rental property maintenance needs.
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