How do you know what home repair to do first when everything needs done?
Easy. Don’t panic!
Seriously though, we’ve all been there. Your home suddenly springs three leaks all from different systems. Suddenly your perfectly good house feels like it’s falling apart.
Here’s the crazy part…
Doing the wrong repair first could lead to thousands of dollars in additional damage.
In this article we’ll cover:
- Why home repairs keep piling up
- The 4-tier priority system that works
- How to easily identify emergency vs non-emergency repairs
- Budgeting when multiple repairs are needed
Why Home Repairs Keep Piling Up
Home repair costs aren’t getting any cheaper.
According to the Verisk Remodel Index, repair costs have increased 61% over the last 10 years.
That means the average repair suddenly doesn’t fit in that homeowners budget quite like it used to.
Here’s another crazy stat… 83% of homeowners dealt with unexpected repairs in 2024 alone. That’s nearly double the percentage of homeowners from 2023 that experienced surprise repairs.
What happens when you have leaks everywhere at once? Homeowners freak out. They rush to fix the wrong thing first. That seemingly-small problem you left behind? Yeah that ends up causing thousands of dollars in damage.
You need a system for prioritizing home repairs. A system that separates the urgent from the can wait a few weeks.
The 4-Tier Priority System That Works
Home repairs are not created equal. Some repairs can obliterate property value if left undone. Others can sit on the backburner without costing you more in damage.
Let’s divide them up…
Tier 1: Emergency
These projects are the “drop everything else and do this NOW” problems. Either they cause safety issues or create additional damage to your homes structure every day they’re left undone.
Emergency repairs include damaged roof that’s leaking rainwater into your home, burst pipes, gas leaks, or exposed wiring.
Example:
Your roof got damaged in a storm. You need to repair the damaged roof before the water works its way into the insulation, drywall, and framing. The longer you wait, the more damage. Water can even seep down into your home’s foundation if left unchecked. A professional roofing contractor can assess damage and eliminate leaks before they become foundational problems.
Roof repairs are one of the most expensive things you can put off. Water damage spreads quickly and silently.
Tier 2: Urgent
Urgent repairs are NOT emergencies. However, they will become emergencies if left unfixed for long enough.
Got a slow plumbing leak? Water heater starting to fail? Heater or air going out during a spell of extreme weather? These are all tier 2 problems.
The difference? Urgent repairs leave you a window of several days up to a couple weeks. Emergency repairs don’t.
Postponing these problems won’t cause thousands in damage overnight. But they will cost you extra money if left unchecked. The small puddle coming from under your kitchen sink? If left alone can rot cabinets and subflooring in a matter of weeks.
Tier 3: Important
Repair projects that fall into this category won’t cause structural damage to your home. But they will impact your comfort or property value.
Things like cosmetic damage from storms, old appliances that work but don’t look pretty, or minor hairline cracks in your drywall count here.
These can wait until your more pressing problems are resolved. But set aside a weekend to get them done soon.
Tier 4: Upgrades/Improvements
New countertops? Deck remodel?
These are “nice to have” projects. When in doubt they come last on your to-do list.
How to Tell If a Repair is Emergency or Non-Emergency
This is where most people get suckered into paying for repairs that aren’t actually urgent.
They freak out over paint that’s peeling and ignore a leaky roof.
Let’s review…
Emergency Repairs:
- Actively leaking roof/water lines
- Gas smell or electrical sparking
- Foundation cracks that are growing
- Sewage backing up into your home
- Loss of heating or cooling in extreme temperatures
Can Wait:
- Peeling paint
- Squeaky doors/windows
- Old fixtures that work
- Small cracks in drywall or other non-structural areas
When you’re not sure, ask yourself:
“How much worse will this problem be 7 days from now?”
If the answer is significantly worse, it’s urgent. If not, schedule the repair and move on.
Budgeting When Multiple Repairs are Needed
We haven’t talked about money yet. And that’s because cash is the limiting factor for most homeowners.
Once you have multiple repairs your budget gets stretched thin real fast.
Let’s fix that…
Build an Emergency Fund
The usual recommendation is setting aside 1-3% of your homes value each year for repairs. On a $300,000 home that means saving $3,000 to $9,000 per year.
Doesn’t sound like much until you have an emergency home repair and have to put it on a credit card. Repairing a home with high interest debt is bad enough. Repairing it while going broke is just awful.
Get Multiple Quotes
Never call the first company that shows up. Call AT LEAST 3 contractors for any repair. Prices can vary greatly from company to company, especially roofing contractors.
Damage Prevention = Priority
If a repair stops the damage to your home from spreading, that deserves priority on your to-do list.
Example: Repairing your roof stops water from damaging drywall, interior framing, insulation, carpeting and more. Your wallet hates when you have to repair multiple rooms.
Think about it like this…
It costs you $2,000 to repair damaged roof now. But if you don’t attend to it water damage can cost you $15k later.
That $2k becomes an extremely smart investment.
Explore Financing Options
Yes some repairs can’t wait for you to magically have enough money saved. Speak with local contractors about financing options. You may also want to explore a home equity line of credit.
HELOC’s typically have lower interest rates than most credit cards.
Wait… 48 Hours?
Our simple rule of thumb when something in your house breaks…
Give it 48 hours.
If after 48 hours the problem is still there do these things.
- Document it. Take pictures.
- Look up average repair cost online.
- Call around and get quotes from local contractors.
After you’ve done your homework, ask yourself these questions:
- Is this problem getting worse?
- Does this repair affect safety or structural integrity?
- Will this cause additional damage if I wait another week?
If any of the above are true move it up your priority list.
This rule stops you from panic repairs and leads to better decision making.
Final Thoughts
Home repair prioritization isn’t always cut and dry. But it doesn’t have to send you into a panic either.
Remember…
- Emergency = Do first
- Urgent = Schedule within the next week or two
- Important = Don’t forget about, just don’t do right now
- Upgrade = Last on the list until everything else is good-to-go
Home repairs should focus on preventing further damage. Meaning spend your money where it’ll stop the damage to your home from spreading. Finally, remember to get multiple quotes on all repairs. Certain repair scams love to prey on homeowners who accept the first bid.
