In case you are a Bensalem rental property investor who, at the same time, happens to have a few handyman skills, there’s a good chance that you take on so many of your property maintenance tasks on your own. Even though there are a few property maintenance and repairs that are safe for the do-it-yourself landlord, some carry higher risks. When dealing with electrical and plumbing work, 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 should learn how to steer clear of the many hazards of electrical and plumbing work – and when to call the professionals.
There are numerous reasons why property owners decide to do their property maintenance and repairs themselves. Most of the time, you are trying to save money by solving simple problems. Often, you feel more confident knowing you did the work yourself. And sometimes, you might simply enjoy it. 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.
When dealing with 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 stay away from injuries as long as you take proper precautions and shut off electricity before starting the job.
Nevertheless, any repair or maintenance tasks involving electricity carry inherent risks. Even if you think you’ve shut down the power, you could be wrong. 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 cause 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.
It’s the same for plumbing repairs. Simple fixes like changing a toilet stopper or installing a new shower head are things that most do-it-yourselfers can handle safely. Especially if it is more of a maintenance task than an urgent repair, basic plumbing fixes shouldn’t take too much time or skill.
Nevertheless, the more serious the circumstances, the more likely you will be safer by just calling a professional. When your tenant calls you in a panic 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 have to address urgent plumbing repairs in the most professional, most effective way possible. And most of the time, that means calling a plumber who can provide high-quality service.
Even though you aren’t facing a pressing situation, sometimes calling an electrician or plumber is still the best choice. While it will cost you more than if you did the work yourself, it’s important to note 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. All things considered, it might be best to hire someone to handle all of the electrical and plumbing work your rental property needs.
To avoid the hassle of finding a maintenance team, contact the Bensalem property management professionals at Real Property Management Prosperity and ask about our services.
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