As a rental property investor with handyman skills, you may feel confident handling many of your property maintenance and repairs. Many do-it-yourself landlords take pride in managing their rental properties, often tackling even electrical and plumbing work. However, when you take on tasks without professional training, you risk accidentally injuring yourself or worsening the problem. Even the most experienced do-it-yourself rental property owners need to understand how to avoid many of the hazards of property maintenance, especially when it comes to electrical and plumbing work.
Whether to save money or out of personal satisfaction, many property owners choose to address repairs on their own. But not all plumbing and electrical tasks are safe to do yourself. In fact, there are many scenarios where it’s better to hire a licensed professional to avoid unnecessary risks.
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
When it comes to plumbing repairs, some tasks like replacing a toilet stopper or installing a new shower head may seem straightforward. These are typically maintenance tasks that don’t require urgent attention. However, when a renter calls you in a panic over a broken pipe or malfunctioning garbage disposal, it’s important to act fast. Figuring out how to fix the issue yourself can result in extensive water damage to your rental home. As a property owner, you need to address urgent plumbing repairs quickly, which often means calling a plumber for high-quality service.
In non-urgent cases, calling a professional still makes sense. Hiring an expert ensures that the work is done efficiently and safely. Professionals typically have the right insurance, tools, and equipment to complete the job properly. It may be better to hire someone to handle your electrical and plumbing work, rather than risk issues doing it yourself. 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.
To save time and ensure your rental property remains in top condition, consider working with Real Property Management SW Coast for expert services in Fort Myers. Whether you need electrical, plumbing, or general property maintenance, contact us online or call 239-790-2840 today.
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