Managing a family home is no small task and if you are new to home ownership, welcome to the wonderful world of building maintenance. A typical house is a network of pipes, cables, with up to a dozen access points (windows and doors) and whether made from steel and concrete or timber, every structure decays over time; materials are exposed to the harsh elements and that means maintenance and repairs.

Here are a few mistakes to avoid with building management.

1. 1. Failing to carry out inspections – Without regular inspections, you might not be aware of a leak in the upstairs bathroom that had made damp patches appear on the downstairs ceiling. Small issues can arise in hard-to-reach places; the roof, for example, needs to be inspected every 6 months, which is something for a local roofing company. 

• Accepting the first quote – Do this and your risk paying a lot more, or worse, hiring a cowboy! Google is your best friend and can locate plumbers in Western Sydney in less than a second. We recommend talking to 3 local contractors and comparing quotes; once you establish a relationship with a reliable provider, stick with them in the future.

1. Skimping on repairs – This will come back to bite you; you only get what you pay for and being price focused is never wise with building repairs. Of course, we all want to save money, but that might come at a cost. Any contractor offering their services at a very low rate should be a cause for concern; if in doubt, ask around to find previous customers and have a chat.
2. Over-ambitious DIY – Some homeowners decide to take on a bathroom renovation and all of a sudden, they are faced with plumbing issues; you might follow a YouTube video but if things don’t turn out the same and you don’t know what to do, contact a local Sydney plumber. Of course, you should extend your DIY abilities, just don’t bite off more than you can chew. It can be embarrassing when the plumber finds out you attempted the project and he has to make good. Here are a few characteristics to consider when remodelling your home.
3. Failing to establish a price – It can be very easy to end up at a point where the contractor adds a few extras that you are not expecting; you should always confirm that the quoted price is the final price. Hidden extras are not welcome, so always confirm the price is all-inclusive and you won’t have any nasty surprises. The same applies to home improvements, which most property owners like to do.

Unless you happen to have a lot of experience, we recommend calling in a tradesman. A local company that has a good reputation in the community would be ideal and over the years, you can develop a positive relationship.