If you are a rental property investor with some handyman skills, there’s a good chance you take care of many maintenance tasks yourself. While handling property maintenance and repairs can save you money, some tasks, like electrical and plumbing repairs, carry higher risks. A lack of expertise can lead to injuries or escalate the problem, which is why it’s important to know when to call a professional. Understanding the hazards involved, particularly with plumbing and electrical work, is crucial for do-it-yourself rental property owners.
There are many reasons property owners choose to perform maintenance tasks themselves, whether it’s to save money or take pride in the work. However, when it comes to plumbing and electrical tasks, knowing your limits and hiring a licensed professional when necessary is essential for preventing costly mistakes.
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.
Even then, accidents can happen. You may believe the power is off when it’s not, or a wiring mistake could cause damage to appliances or lead to fires. Electrocution is another significant risk. Instead of saving money with a DIY approach, you may create more costly problems and endanger your tenants. For these reasons, hiring a licensed electrician for electrical repairs and maintenance is often the safer choice.
When to Call a Plumber for Urgent Rental Property Repairs
The same is true for plumbing repairs. Simple fixes like replacing a toilet stopper or installing a new shower head are things that most do-it-yourselfers can handle safely. Especially if they are more of a maintenance task than an urgent repair, basic plumbing fixes shouldn’t take too much time or expertise.
However, the more serious the circumstances, the more likely you will be better off calling a professional. When your renter calls you in a panic over a broken pipe, a backed-up drain, or a malfunctioning garbage disposal, this is not the time to try and figure out how to fix it yourself. The longer water flows unchecked into your rental home, the more damage it will cause. As a property owner, you need to address urgent plumbing repairs in the most professional, most efficient way possible. And most of the time, that means calling a plumber who can provide high-quality service.
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.
Professionals typically carry the right insurance, have the proper tools and equipment for every job, and can complete the work more quickly and efficiently. It might be best to hire someone to handle all the electrical and plumbing work your rental property needs.
To avoid the hassle of finding a maintenance team, look no further than Real Property Management Renowned for professional services in Pikesville and nearby. Contact us online or call 410-442-6589 for more information.
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