Raising the Standard Episode 63

Whether it’s your first time owning a home or you’re living in your fifth home, there are so many unique scenarios you’ll encounter with home ownership, where you are sure to take away an important lesson. Sometimes when homeowners encounter an issue with their home, they’re not sure if it’s a real problem that they should have a professional look at or if there is even a solution for it.

With that said, we have compiled a list of 6 questions that you should ask yourself to determine if there is a valid need for your home improvement project. So let’s get into that checklist below!

Question #1: Is this a source of constant frustration for me?

With older homes especially, there are going to be more home issues at a higher frequency.  Unfortunately, even with new homes, there never seems to be a shortage of projects that need to be done. This is why you have to prioritize and choose wisely which project is important for you to focus on right now. If a problem you’re having is happening often enough that it is causing a constant hindrance for you in any way, it’s probably something you should look into resolving your own sanity. 

Question #2: Will this make my home more valuable?

Perhaps you have a bathroom that hasn’t been remodeled since 1980, and you’re wanting to upgrade your bathtub, shower, sink, surrounds, and toilet to a more modern style. This isn’t a project that is a must-do for the health or safety of your family, (unless you  have a lot of mold and mildew build-up) but it will increase your home’s value by improving it aesthetically. It also may make you more likely to enjoy using your bathroom, which is invaluable but definitely a perk!

Question #3: Will this make my home more convenient for my family?

If there is something that works okay but is a headache every time you use it, then it may be time to consider conquering that project, especially if you said yes to any of the other questions on your list. For instance, if you have a window that is hard to open and shut due to aging, that can be inconvenient and prevent you from wanting to open your windows on a nice spring day. If multiple windows are hard to use especially, it may be time to consider replacing them so you and your family can easily use them as intended. 

Question #4: Will this make my home more comfortable for my family?

Being in the HVAC industry, we know it can be uncomfortable for people when their heating and cooling systems aren’t working properly. We frequently see older systems (15 years or more) experience breakdowns on the hottest or coldest days of the year depending on the system.  This can be extremely uncomfortable to have to go without heat during a frigid, cold day in the winter or without air conditioning during the hottest day of the summer. If your furnace or air conditioner is frequently not heating or cooling rooms in your home to a level where you and your family are uncomfortable more often than not, then it’s probably time for a repair or to replace it. The same goes for anything else in your home that is a constant source of discomfort. It’s probably best to look for a solution because home is the place you should be most comfortable after all!

Question #5: Will this make my home healthier for my family?

This is a no-brainer. If you suspect something in your home isn’t healthy for your family, it’s definitely time to look into making that improvement. For instance in the HVAC world, we often see homes that haven’t had their ducts cleaned in 15 years or more, when they should be cleaned every 7 years to maintain the health of your indoor air quality. Quite often, we will see allergy problems worsen due to poor indoor air quality from pollutants being circulated through your ducts and through your home’s vents.  Over time, dirt and debris, and even rodent feces accumulate in ductwork, which then circulates throughout your home.  Over time, that can create health issues on top of it making your HVAC system less efficient overall.

Question #6: Will this make my home safer for my family?

We think this last question is definitely the most important one in the whole list. If something in your home is a safety issue, that needs to be prioritized first on your home project list. For instance, if your furnace or air conditioner isn’t working and it hasn’t worked all season, that could be a major safety issue as well as a comfort issue. When an HVAC system isn’t working, there is a reason for that, and if it’s not working most of the time, then you may be compromising the health of your family due to a breakdown somewhere within that system.  Another example could be your children or dogs keep running out in the road, then a clear solution would be looking into putting fencing up around your home to protect them and make sure your family and pets are safe. So this last question is all about making sure your family is safe in your home and protecting them first and foremost. 

Bonus Question: Do we have the budget for this home improvement right now?

This question seems obvious but absolutely necessary for many people on whether or not they should start a home project: Is this project within our budget right now?

Of course, before starting any home project you should research the scope of the investment for your project and sit down with your family to go over your budget to see if the project is feasible. We recommend asking yourself the questions above, and if the answer is yes to most of those questions, it’s probably a project you should get started on. Many people have a savings account for home projects, and if they don’t, always remember many companies provide financing. So if you are in dire need of something in your home, you could pay low monthly payments to keep your family safe and comfortable.

For example, at BOSS Services we have plenty of financing options, but we also have a unique program that nobody else in the region has called The BOSS Freedom Plan. With this program, you can escape all the headaches that come with owning something like an HVAC system, water heater, or whole-home generator.  Instead of owning it, we can lease those systems to you for a low interest-free monthly payment.  

Plus, you aren’t responsible for the costs of any future repairs or maintenance. We provide all of that for free for 10 years. It’s a great program for people who aren’t sure they aren’t going to stay in their home long-term but still need a new system or don’t want the hassle of maintaining it.

Learn more about the BOSS Freedom Plan here: https://thebossservices.com/the-boss-freedom-plan/

Did you answer “yes” to any of these questions?

If you answered yes to the majority of these questions, then it may be a good idea to call a professional to consult for advice and explore options to resolve that issue. Again, if it is a safety or health concern, even if you didn’t answer yes to any other questions, we would always recommend prioritizing those projects first. At BOSS, we provide heating, cooling, plumbing, bathroom upgrades, and window services and really focus on helping our clients however we can with any home project they may need completed. 

If you have any questions about any project you’re thinking of, please feel free to give us a call at 269-468-6682. We serve all of Southwest and West Michigan, including St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, New Buffalo, South Haven, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo. Thanks for reading – talk to you next week!

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