Imagine having to deal with a broken furnace in the dead of winter a week from moving into your new home?

It would be inconvenient, super stressful, and possibly expensive to fix. The beauty of a home warranty is that you wouldn’t have to worry about the expense and the fact that its market is worth $2.5 billion says a lot.

The question is, how does a home warranty work? Home warranties protect homeowners from the financial risk of maintaining their homes. However, it’s not quite the same thing with homeowners’ insurance, which is the most confusing part for most people.

To help you understand all the nitty-gritty details about home warranties, we bring you this comprehensive guide. It covers everything you may want to know about a home warranty, and why it may be a good idea to get one.

What Is a Home Warranty?

Basically, a home warranty is a service insurance policy for the major systems and appliances in your home.

Some of these systems and appliances include indoor plumbing, fridges, electrical systems, ovens, dryers, watching machines, HVAC systems, dishwashers, and water heaters. The warranty pays to fix and replace them if and when they break.

This warranty doesn’t cover things like windows, doors, or any other structural features of your home. Moreover, the warranty is only designed to cover items that are in working condition upon occupancy of the house but then fail later on. The home warranty contract is usually valid for a year, and it offers varying levels of coverage.

All home warranty providers offer different levels of coverage and pricing. Homeowners get to choose which level suits their home best. Some warranties only cover basic repairs, others cover major appliances, while others cover only the systems.

Typically, a warranty that covers basic repairs will be more expensive than one that covers replacements as well.

How Does a Home Warranty Work?

Most home warranties operate the same way. So when a system or appliance in your home breaks down, you notify the home warranty company. In turn, they contact a service provider they trust and ask them to come check it out.

The provider will come to your home and fix the issue or report that it can’t be fixed depending on its condition. You will have to pay a small service trade fee, which may cost anywhere between $75 and $100 and may be negotiable when signing up for the warranty plan. The warranty usually doesn’t reimburse out-of-pocket expenses, so avoid repairing it on your own.

How Do Home Warranties Differ From Manufacturer’s Warranties?

A lot of homeowners tend to feel that since manufacturer warranties cover their appliances, they have no need for a home warranty.

You see, a manufacturer’s warranty only covers a specific item for a specified period of time, after which it expires. Generally, these warranties offer repairs, servicing, and sometimes replacements for said items.

Most last an average of one year, after which you would need an extended warranty. The problem is, manufacturers warranties cover original items bought by original owners. This means that if these appliances are already installed in the home, you won’t be able to take advantage of the warranties provided.

Even if you’re the original buyer, an extended warranty will cost you and still expire after some time. Paying for several extended warranties for all your appliances will set you back more money. It’s relatively cheaper to pay a home warranty covering all appliances and possibly systems together.

How Do Home Warranties Differ From Homeowners Insurance Policies?

Homeowners insurance policies cover major and unexpected damages, like structural damages to the house due to flooding, and fires. It also covers other things like theft and accidents.

For example, if one of your water pipes burst and damaged the refrigerator motor in the process, your homeowner’s insurance would cover the costs.

However, if the refrigerator broke down on its own due to things like a malfunction or wear and tear, the home warranty would cover the costs. So, how does a home warranty work? It covers all your repairs and replacement issues immediately.

What Are the Benefits of a Home Warranty?

Appliances and home systems are bound to break down at one point, and it’s impossible to tell when that’s going to happen.

One of the most significant benefits of a home warranty is that it’s less expensive than the costs involved in repairing and replacing these appliances and systems. For a fixed annual price and a small service call fee, you can have any of these items repaired or replaced immediately.

Beyond that, it’s a super-fast and straightforward process. Once you request a service, the company will dispatch a professional technician to your home. As long as you find a reputable and professional home insurance company, you’ll have your appliance up and running in no time.

Even better, you will have access to a network of professional and established technicians. This will eliminate the process of searching for the best service providers. The insurance deductible you also have to pay will be upfront, and you will know exactly how much to pay when the technician comes over.

What Are the Downsides of a Home Warranty?

Most of the time, you’ll find that the downsides are with the insurance companies themselves, which is why it’s vital to find the right one. For instance, since repairs are always cheaper than replacements, you may find that a company insists on repairing while what you need is a replacement.

You may also disagree on the prices and value of the systems or appliances when the company wants to reduce the amount they spend on you.

Beyond that, you need to be extra careful with the fine print of the contract. They mostly come with many limitations and exclusions. They might catch you off guard when you need them the most.

Plus, you’ll have to prove that the appliance or system was working properly. If they can prove there was a pre-existing issue, they’ll not fix it. Finding a professional and reputable home warranty company, such as Select Home Warranty, is essential.

Everything You Need to Know About How Home Warranties Work

So, how does a home warranty work? This is a question most homeowners ask, although very few take the initiative to get one.

It may not seem necessary, but it’ll save you on those unexpected repairs and replacements in case you won’t have enough money to cover for them. You won’t have to wait until your next payday to get anything fixed or replaced as the company will do it immediately.

For more interesting posts about business, insurance, marketing, technology, finance, and so much more, please check out our blog section. We always strive to deliver in-depth and valuable information to all our customers, so please check us out today!

The average residential air conditioning system is designed to last for about 12 to 17 years before needing to be replaced. If you want to make sure yours lasts that long—or longer!—it’ll be important for you to maintain it properly.

One of the most basic forms of AC maintenance that you can do is replacing your air conditioning filter. Putting a new air conditioner filter into the place of an old one only takes a few seconds, but it can increase the lifespan of your AC system exponentially.

So, how often should you change your air filter? The truth is that it really all depends on a number of different factors.

Generally speaking, you should only have to replace an HVAC filter about once every three months or so. But you may have to do it more often than that as part of your HVAC maintenance plan in some cases.

Here are some of the different factors that could impact how often you need to change your AC system’s air filter.

What Type of Air Filter You’re Using

Do you tend to buy the cheapest air filters that you can find when you’re in the market for them? This is going to affect the answer to the question, “How often should you change your air filter?”

As you’ll see when you shop for air filters on Filterbuy, there are so many different types of air filters for you to choose from these days. From cheap ones that won’t last long at all to pleated air filters that can give you up to six months of life, you have the option to pick out the air filter that’s going to work best in your home.

You should tinker with which air filters you use in your AC system to see which one is going to give you the most life before conking out on you. By spending a little bit extra on an air conditioning filter, you may be able to save yourself money in the long run.

How Often You’re Turning Your AC System On

Every single time you turn your home’s AC system on, it pulls air from your home through it and filters it with your air conditioner filter. With this in mind, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to hear that, the more you use your AC system, the dirtier your HVAC filter is going to get.

Let’s say that you use your AC system every day in the summer to keep your home cool. You’re going to need to replace your air filter more often than you would have to if you only used it once a week or so.

You should think about how often you actually turn your home’s AC system on and replace your air filter accordingly based on that.

Where Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality Ranks

How is the indoor air quality in your home? This is a question that you should ask yourself when you’re wondering, “How often should you change your air filter?”

There are dozens of different things that can take a toll on your home’s indoor air quality and drag it down. From dirt and dust to smoke and pet dander, they can force your AC system to work harder than it should have to in order to filter your home’s air.

You should make it a point to try and improve your home’s indoor air quality if at all possible. This alone will work wonders for your AC system and keep it running longer.

But you should also make sure that you’re replacing your HVAC system’s air filter a little bit more than you might otherwise when your indoor air quality is poor. This will ensure that your system is able to continuously filter the air in your home without running into any major problems.

How Diligent You Are About Doing AC Maintenance

Are you someone who is hellbent on keeping your AC system in great shape for many years to come? It would be great if everyone took this approach to AC maintenance, but of course, not all homeowners are up for the challenge.

If you’re down to commit yourself to AC maintenance, you’re going to want to try and replace your AC system’s air filter more regularly than your neighbors might. You should get into the habit of inspecting your air filter every few days and replacing it once you see dirt, dust, and other debris building up on it.

The simple act of inspecting your air filter regularly could lead to you wanting to replace it before the 3-month mark.

What You Can Afford to Pay for Air Filters

At the end of the day, homeowners want to make sure they’re replacing their HVAC filters often enough. But they don’t want to do it so often that they end up costing themselves a small fortune.

You should consider what you can afford to pay for air filters and do it as often as your budget allows. In some cases, that might mean waiting the full three months until replacing them. But in other instances, you might find that you’re able to do it way more frequently by that.

It never hurts to replace air filters ahead of schedule. A fresh air filter will make your AC system more efficient and cut down on the other AC maintenance that you might need to do.

How Often Should You Change Your Air Filter? It All Depends

The easy answer to the question, “How often should you change your air filter?”, is three months. Your AC system should be OK if you replace your air filter that often.

But you should consider where your home fits in when it comes to the factors mentioned here and use them to guide you along the way as you maintain your home’s AC system. You could very well find that you need to replace your air filter more than every three months to keep your AC in excellent condition.

Read the other articles on our blog for more AC tips and tricks.

Any kind of home renovation involves research and decision making. Yet, it can be exciting to select those items that will transform your home from the makeover.

When you select flooring for your kitchen, family room, or dining room, you likely are thinking about how said flooring will look. What color does it bring to the room? What aesthetic does it bring to the room?

Yet, for a bathroom renovation, you have other considerations. The exposure to water has to change your considerations for flooring.

So, what is the best flooring for bathroom renovations? Read on for the best 7 flooring options to consider if you are renovating your bathroom.

1. Natural Stones

There are a variety of natural stone options that are the best for a bathroom remodel. Whether you choose marble, granite, or limestone, natural stone will improve your bathroom look and feel.

Natural stone floorings are durable and hard. They are also aesthetically beautiful. Natural stone options come in so many options, in the form of colors and shapes. It gives you an endless array of options.

All these features make them a great bathroom flooring choice.

The one thing to know about natural stone is that it can be slippery. You want to choose the natural stone that might have some texture to help with the possibility of slipperiness. Natural stone can also be cold, especially if you live in a climate with winters. Many choose to have heat put under the stone to heat it in the cold weather.

While natural stone can be costly, it’s durability makes it worth it.

2. Porcelain and Ceramic Tile

Porcelain and ceramic tile offer all the benefits of natural stone. But maybe without the heftier price tag. Ceramic and porcelain tile also has an endless array of color, shape, and texture options.

Like stone, ceramic, and porcelain tile is highly durable. It is also nearly water-resistant. Of the two, porcelain tile is even more resistant than ceramic.

This type of tile has many of the same features, good and bad, like stone. Yet, the lower cost is an advantage. One thing to consider is that while it offers many options for design, the more complicated the design aesthetic, the more costly and complicated to install.

3. Engineered Wood

It’s hard to resist the look of natural wood. Yet, in a bathroom where there is inevitably water, it’s a terrible idea. If you love the look of wood but want it to be more durable, consider engineered wood.

Engineered wood will offer the look and style of real wood, yet be much more durable.

The engineered wood is put together starting with a plywood base. This plywood does fine with water as needed. Then atop the plywood is a real wood veneer with a protective finish.

More durable than regular wood flooring in a bathroom, yet you still have all the aesthetics and it’s more waterproof.

4. Waterproof Laminate

There is again an endless assortment of options with waterproof laminate. Some options that you might even be convinced are real wood flooring.

While waterproof, technically, you still do need to watch water around the waterproof laminate. If the waterproof laminate is carefully installed so it’s very tight, limiting the possibility of water soaking down to the base, you are likely okay.

Waterproof laminate starts with a wood chip base. Then is coated with a resin paper. The resin paper is actually a photograph used by manufacturers to create the flooring. On top of the resin paper, a clean coat is applied to the surface to protect the flooring.

While it’s quite durable and this option has recently greatly improved in quality, you do still have to watch possible water issues.

5. Waterproof Vinyl

Waterproof vinyl is by far one of the most popular choices for bathroom design. It has two big advantages. It’s waterproof, making it a great choice and it’s very cost-effective.

The vinyl can come in sheets, planks, or tiles. Each offers easy installation. The sheets are nice because there are few or no seams where water might seep through.

As vinyl has gained in popularity, so have the options available for it. That means vinyl continues to be an inexpensive and wide-ranging option for bathroom flooring.

6. Cork

Cork might surprise you as an option for flooring, yet it shouldn’t. Get past the idea that the cork will look like a bulletin board on the ground. That could not be further from the truth.

Cork is highly durable and handles water well. It does need to be sealed every few years to sustain itself.

One nice feature of cork is that it has grainy texture and patterns that are natural to it. This is visually nice for design purposes, yet it also gives the cork some texture making it less slippery than some other options.

7. Concrete

Surprisingly, concrete can work for more than the driveway. Some choose concrete if they already have a slab foundation. Yet, concrete has taken on quite a hip edge in recent years.

Concrete can be poured as a floor. It can be dyed and stamped to get a pattern and color too. One great feature of concrete is that it can withstand water with no problem.

Many who have made concrete popular in design will polish it. While this gives it a lovely aesthetic, it can also make it slippery. Consider asking for the concrete to have a small amount of texture to avoid the slipperiness of it.

Choosing the Best Flooring for Bathroom Renovations

Considering a bathroom renovation is exciting. You want the best flooring for bathroom renovations that will give you a great look and be appropriate for a bathroom too.

Consider one of these 7 options for your bathroom renovation project.

For more articles like this one, be sure to visit our page often.

Everyone wants a clean home. It provides a deep feeling of comfort whenever you come inside a tidy and well-kept house. But regular sweeping and dusting are not enough to give you a hygienic property. You need to make sure that all corners of the home are free of any dirt and grime.

Sometimes, ordinary cleaning may cause you to miss some essential parts like your window treatments. It is one area that can accumulate lots of dirt particles over time and could eventually gather dangerous particles like germs and bacteria. Blind cleaning must be part of your regular home maintenance. It allows you to enjoy different perks that you never thought you would need in life.

Here are some of the best advantages of having clean blinds and window treatments at home.

Better Air Quality

Regular blind cleaning helps in improving the air quality indoors. Most often, dust particles and other grains stick to your blinds and windows, mixing into the air over time. It can prevent you from breathing fresh air while staying inside the house.

Get Rid of Allergens

Since blinds often collect dust and other contaminants, you must ensure that each part of the blind is cleaned properly to avoid triggering any allergic reactions. Most of the time, regular dusting pushes some of the particles towards the blinds’ hard-to-reach areas. It will only accumulate more particles as time passes.

To ensure that every inch of the blind is taken care of, you need to contact professional services to do the job. Blind cleaning services done by the experts can properly remove particles that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

Eliminate Germs And Bacteria 

Other particles that blinds could collect overtime come from your beloved pets or other natural elements. It includes the tiny dust mites and your pet dander. It may also collect moulds and mildew from too much moisture indoors. If this piles up, germs and bacteria will continue to grow in your home. As a result, your family will be at risk of having various diseases.

By calling blind cleaning professionals, you can assure that these will no longer exist in your house. It will also help you avoid different diseases caused by toxic particles from common home impurities.

Protection From Harsh Elements

Blind cleaning services will let you maintain the beautiful state of your window treatments. Since exposure to the sun, rain, and wind is common for blinds and windows, there is a big chance that they can get destroyed after a while. But if you let the professionals take care of your blinds, you will see that these window treatments will remain in their top form for years.

If you avail of any treatment for your blinds and windows, you can extend their lives for a long time. Clean blinds will not corrode due to the thick level of dust piled up in each partition. As a result, you no longer have to constantly change your blinds and have a new set of window treatments every couple of years. It will allow you to enjoy the blinds with your family and friends for years to come. Because of this, you will save thousands of dollars from buying these fixtures. So call your trusted cleaning company today.

 

Tea and coffee drinkers like to have electric kettles because of the benefits they provide. Kettles are easy to use, energy-efficient, fast, precise, and convenient. As a consumer, buying one is well worth the money.

Here are some factors to consider when looking for a new electric kettle for your home or office use:

Size

Consider the capacity when choosing the size for your kettle. Does your day typically involve brewing tea or coffee for many people, or only for a couple? Most kettles can cater enough for several drinks, although some portable models come with a smaller capacity.

Your counter space also has an impact on the size of the kettle you choose. Figure out where you want to put your new kettle in your kitchen. Make some measurements and adjustments whenever necessary because every appliance you add in your home should have a place somewhere.

Ease of Use

One of the desirable qualities of kettles is that they are generally easy to use. However, technological advancements allow for more design options and features that make some kettles much easier to operate than others. For example, a kettle with a removable cord or a cordless one is simpler to use than a kettle that you need an outlet nearby when using it. Also, an auto-shutoff and keep-warm feature are useful for a busy or forgetful owner.

Appearance

Often, buying a kettle goes more than looking for advanced features. If you are going to use it every day and keep it on the kitchen counter always, you will want to choose a sleek and attractive kettle. While Kettles are made to focus on function over aesthetics, there are many models now that look as great as they work too. So, if appearance is important to you, you can find a lot more options that will not disappoint.

Speed

If speed is one of the features you are looking for in kettles, then get the one that is well-known for its fast quality. The majority of electric kettles can boil water in 3 to 4 minutes. But, some models claim that they can heat water worth one mug in 90 seconds. Read the product description as well as some reviews to find out what buyers are saying about those claims.

Material

Plastic, glass, and metal are the main materials that make up electric kettles. Some models are a combination of these materials. Glass and stainless steels are often to be of higher quality compared to plastic kettles. However, plastic is not hot to the touch, and a portable one is ideal for travelling. The best material in terms of durability is stainless less, while glass kettles are popular to those who like to see the water boiling and also favour appearance. The material you choose for your kettle is dependent on your preferences.

Durability

When investing in an electric kettle, you want something that has the best value for money. You want to make the most of your purchase by having to use it for a long time. The cost is a major indicator of durability. Usually, the more expensive the kettle is, the more likely it can withstand wear and tear. Also, opt for brands that offer warranties on their products, as this indicates that they are confident that their products are built to last.

Kettles are here to help make your life easier when making your cup of coffee, tea, or other hot beverages. Make sure to take advantage of these conveniences in these modern times.

 

People often avoid hiring pest exterminators because they think it is something that can be handled by themselves. However, home remedies may be only successful in removing pests that are right in front of you. But what about the source of the issue? DIY solutions fail when it comes to deriving a more long-lasting and effective remedy. This is where looking for responsible pest control exterminators proves to be valuable. Below are some of the important benefits that you can acquire by hiring a professional.

 1.  Long-Term Saving

Using over-the-counter remedies only provides you with a short-term solution. You have to keep using them whenever the pests begin to become visible. Constantly buying products can accumulate into a big sum, and you are not getting any effective solution out of them.

Hiring a pest exterminator means that you treat the problem at its core. These professionals are trained to evaluate the situation and offer a personalized plan to ensure that the problem does not reoccur. This allows you to save money in the long-run and have more peace of mind.

2.  Minimum Use of Pesticide

People use over-the-counter products because they believe that this will reduce the usage of pesticides. However, generally, people do not know how to use these products and end up randomly using them wherever they see the pests.

Exterminators, on the other hand, know how to apply and how to apply in order to get the best results. Moreover, they are more aware of the effectiveness of the chemicals they use; therefore, using it in the right way to get maximum benefits.

3.  Mitigating the Chances of Damage

If you are dealing with termites or carpenter ants, handling such a situation using a DIY approach can increase the damages. Moreover, if the presence of these insects remains unidentified for a long time, then the damage caused by them becomes irreversible.

An experienced exterminator can identify the signs that indicate the presence of these insects at an early stage. This gives you sufficient time to control and take the necessary measures to get rid of the issue for good.

4.  Safeguard Your Health

People have this misconception that over-the-counter remedies are weaker as opposed to commercial products; however, that is not the case. Today pest control service providers are extending more environmentally friendly solutions that do not cause any damage to the residents or environment. The counterparts are essentially manufactured of strong chemicals that can be quite harmful for the residents as well as pets.

5.  Long-term Prevention

Professional pest control services are more than merely implementing chemical control on the pest issues. These professionals help you understand why the problem is occurring and how you can prevent it.

For example, rodents appear when the nighttime temperature drops during the fall. They come inside the house through small cracks and holes. A professional will identify such an opening and close them for long-term protection.

Pests issues in the house can prove to be harmful to your house as well as its residents. Instead of constantly messing with over the counter and DIY solutions, you should trust a professional. An experienced exterminator will conduct a thorough evaluation of the space and get rid of the issue from its root cause.

 

 

There are over 700 trees in the United States per person living in the country. While that may sound like a lot, it’s a number that we’re seeing dwindle due to rampant development.

Despite the joy trees can bring to spaces, in some cases, removing a tree becomes a necessity. If you’re in a situation where you’re considering tree removal, it’s integral that you consider all of the components that go into getting rid of a tree before getting started on your project.

Below, our team shares a handful of considerations to mull over before your removal process.

1. Consider Keeping Your Tree

The first and biggest consideration you should think about when pondering removing a tree is to avoid removal. We know that sounds counter-intuitive but hear us out.

Trees are the by-product of decades and sometimes centuries of growing. After all of that history, shouldn’t you have an exceptional reason to end a tree’s life? Furthermore, large trees are egregiously expensive which means that a well-kept tree can add value to your home and your community.

2. You May Need Permits

If you’re adamant about cutting down your tree, understand that governing bodies may not share your perspective. In some communities, you’ll need a permit issued to cut down a tree. If you request a permit and your HOA or city determines that your plans are dangerous or the loss of your tree presents serious detriment to the area, your permit will be denied.

Cutting down a tree in an area the requires permits without one can result in an expensive fine. Depending on the significance of your tree, you might also have to face the disdain of your neighbors.

3. Stump Removal Is Often Forgotten

The process of removing trees usually includes cutting down branches and eventually, sections of your tree’s base until all that’s left is a stump. Many homeowners that undergo tree removal projects neglect to understand that the process of stump removal is very different than the process of removing a tree.

Stump removals may require grinders, root cutters, and digging equipment depending on the size of your tree. Consider what may go into removing your tree’s stump and be sure to budget time and resources for that project.

4. Figure Out Your Lumber

Your tree has been cut down and all that’s left is a ton of wood in your yard… Now what? Chances are, all that wood is too heavy and voluminous to shove in your gardening barrel.

In these cases, you have the option of cutting down your lumber into usable fire or crafting wood. If you’d prefer not to have piles of wood sitting in your yard, your next best bet is to hire a wood removal company to pick up your scraps or rent a wood chipper to destroy your lumber.

5. Determining Rot

Rotted wood is a tell-tale sign of a dead tree. Dead trees should be removed because they pose a risk of spreading disease and falling.

Trees that are rotted will exhibit a hollow sound when you knock around their trunk. If you have a tree that’s in the process of rotting, some truck sections will sound hollow while other sections will sound solid.

If possible, plan your cuts through hollow sections of your tree’s trunk as these areas will be much easier to get through. Chopping through live wood can be a serious chore that may require heavier-duty tools and potentially two people.

6. Know What Equipment You’ll Need

The tools you’ll need for a tree-cutting job will vary based on your tree. Large trees may require ladders and chainsaws to cut down. Smaller trees might be able to come down with a few swings of an ax.

No matter what kind of tree you’re cutting buying or renting, safety equipment is a must.

Start by purchasing a hardhat to protect your skull from falling branches. Then, complete your look by picking up safety goggles and gloves.

7. Understand Your Escape Route During an Unexpected Fall

If you’re DIY removing a tree, you need to appreciate that unexpected tree collapses happen and kill people every year. While there’s no perfect way to avoid getting hit by a falling tree, there are ways you can lessen your odds of serious injury.

For starters, consider cutting a V-shaped notch in your tree’s base to help control the direction of your tree’s fall should it choose to collapse mid-job. After putting that measure in place, know exactly which direction you’ll run if you start to notice your tree coming down. When you head down that path, do so while partially facing your tree so you can read the situation as you get to safety.

At the end of the day, the best way to avoid tree injuries is to hire professionals. Believe us when we say that the cost of tree removal pales in comparison to the value of your life.

Removing a Tree May Be More Work Than It’s Worth

As we mentioned, trees provide ample value to communities. Not only is their living justified through what they give but also, cutting them down can be dangerous which further bolsters the case of working around/with healthy trees before choosing to remove them.

If removing a tree from your property is unavoidable, we implore you to plan well and go through the process with caution.

For those of you that would like to learn more about how to remove a tree, home care, and other lifestyle topics, please consider diving deeper into the content we have featured on our blog.

Home renovation projects are one of the best ways to add value to your property and many of them are easy enough to handle on your own. In fact, more than 90 percent of American homeowners plan to renovate their house and property in the future to make the house more livable or more marketable to prospective buyers.

One of the best improvements you can make is to build a fence around your yard. It boosts privacy and security while adding depth to your landscaping.

If you’re considering this great home improvement project, you have two choices: build your own fence or hire a pro. For most people, it all comes down to money.

So, is it really cheaper to build your own fence or should you leave it to a pro? Here’s what you need to know.

You’ll Have to Deal With Getting a Permit

Before you can install a fence on your property, you’ll need to get a building permit from your local government. This process isn’t expensive, but it is time-consuming.

You’ll need to map out exactly where your fence will go and make sure the fence will sit within your property line. If it doesn’t, the county may not be willing to issue the permit.

You’ll also need to make sure that the fence will satisfy the local building codes in place. If the fence isn’t up to code, the county may ask you to remove it at your own expense. This can make it more expensive to install the fence on your own than it would be to hire an experienced fence contractor.

Fencing Materials Cost More at Stores

High-quality fence materials are available at most local hardware stores. However, when you choose to buy those materials, you’re stuck paying full retail price.

Fence contractors purchase materials at such large volumes that they’re often able to get them at a discount. In most cases, contractors pass those savings onto you, charging you less for materials than you’d pay at a store.

While you won’t end up paying for labor when you build your own fence, you’ll pay a premium for the materials. Depending on the size of your fence, this could add thousands of dollars to the overall cost.

If you’re determined to learn how to build your own fence, make sure you factor in the cost of the materials when comparing estimates you receive from builders.

There’s a High Risk of Mistakes

If you’ve never tried to build a fence before, you need to be ready for a learning curve. There’s a lot more involved in figuring out how to build your own privacy fence than just choosing the materials. You need to make sure it’s anchored the right way.

If you’re not careful, the fence can end up getting blown down when the winds kick up. Once this happens, you risk damaging both your property and that of your neighbors’.

Unfortunately, those minor mistakes can end up costing you hundreds of dollars in repairs and potential liability claims.

Fence contractors know how to install a fence correctly the first time. This means you won’t have to deal with costly mistakes or have to pay for premature and preventable repairs.

It Takes Time to Build Your Own Fence

If you’ve ever tried to take care of home renovation projects on your own, you know that it takes time. That’s time that you could otherwise spend relaxing, gardening, or enjoying your days off.

You won’t get paid for the time you spend building the fence, but you will be able to save yourself the cost of labor you’d incur by hiring a professional. Keep in mind that this may not be enough to justify tackling the project on your own.

Think about what matters most to you. If you’re looking to save as much money as possible, building a fence on your own will certainly save you on labor costs. However, it will force you to sacrifice your time in exchange for those savings.

You Won’t Be Able to Use the Materials’ Warranties

Most modern fencing materials come with manufacturer warranties that protect you from unexpected repair costs. Anytime the fence gets damaged due to a manufacturer defect, the warranty will cover the cost of the repairs or replacements.

However, those warranties might not be valid if you install the fence on your own.

Most manufacturers require that you hire an experienced professional to handle the installation if you want the warranties to stay valid. If you do things on your own, you’ll end up voiding the warranties before you have a chance to use them. This means you’ll have to pay for the full cost of repairs or replacements out-of-pocket.

The Tools Aren’t Cheap

When you decide to start learning how to build your own wood fence, you’re going to need to take a long, hard look at your tool shed. If you’re like most homeowners, you have a few basics on hand, but you won’t have the necessary industry-specific tools to make the job easy.

These could include post hole diggers, nail guns, drills, and a whole host of other equipment.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to build the fence without those tools. This means you’ll either have to rent them from your local hardware store or buy them outright, adding hundreds to your already costly home improvement project.

When you work with a professional, you won’t have to worry about paying for those tools. Instead, they’ll already have the right equipment and can get to work immediately.

When in Doubt, Hire a Pro

While it’s possible to build your own fence, it’s not always in your best interest. Taking on the project often means you’ll end up spending more money to build the same fence than you would if you hire a professional.

If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, consider hiring an experienced fence builder and let them handle the project for you. You’ll get a higher quality fence at an affordable price.

Looking for more helpful tips and tricks to help you stay on-budget when handling your own home renovations? Check out our latest posts.

According to FEMA, floods are the most common natural disaster. That makes it all the more surprising that most homeowners don’t have flood insurance.

That may be because many people believe their homeowner’s insurance covers flooding. It might also be because lenders only require flood insurance for homes located in high-risk zones.

Even if your home is outside a high-risk zone, it’s still a good idea to have flood insurance. How much is flood insurance though? The answer depends on a few factors.

How Much Is Flood Insurance on Average?

The US national average for flood insurance is around $700. You can pay a lot more or a lot less, depending on several different factors.

One of the biggest factors is where you live. Some of the most flood-prone states, like Louisiana and Texas, have a very low flood insurance cost. Florida is actually the cheapest state.

Another factor is where your house is located. Even in a low-cost state like Florida, your flood insurance quote will be much higher if you’re in a high-risk zone. Low-risk zones will pay less in insurance, because it’s less likely a flood will happen.

Discover Your Home’s Risk

Before you buy a home, you can discover where it is on the flood plain. This site has a map of Indiana’s flood plains, along with rates.

Homes located in high-risk zones are more likely to flood. Insurance will cost more for these homes than those located in lower-risk areas.

It’s important to remember homes located in low-risk zones can and do flood. FEMA estimates around a quarter to a third of flood claims are for dwellings in low-risk zones every year.

Keep in mind that you can get flood insurance even if your home has flooded before. It’s a good idea to have flood insurance in place before a flood happens, if at all possible. Knowing your home’s risk can help.

What Does Flood Insurance Cover?

The other significant factor in the cost of flood insurance is coverage. The more your insurance covers, the higher the price is likely to be.

The National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP, provides affordable coverage for most flooding. It’s available through many companies, and can cover any dwelling or structure up to a certain amount.

If your home is worth more than NFIP’s maximums, it’s a good idea to consider private coverage. You may need to supplement NFIP coverage with private insurance. You may even prefer to go entirely with a private insurer.

A private insurance policy may have a different definition of what counts as a flood. They may provide coverage in more situations. Be sure to review deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs before you sign up for any policy.

NFIP does not cover wind-driven rain damage. Most homeowners’ policies cover this kind of damage instead.

Get Peace of Mind with the Right Insurance

The answer to “how much is flood insurance?” is dependent on many factors. In most cases, though, you can’t afford not to have it. Check in with a local insurance provider to get a specific quote for your property.

Looking for more tips on how to protect your investment in your property? We have plenty of how-to guides and tips to help you make the most of your property.