Home Repair Services

 

Kitchen and Bathrooms

The kitchen and bathrooms of a home have the most mechanical systems, such as plumbing and electrical. That means they also have the highest likelihood of damage. Here are the components you should double-check:

• Kitchen appliances. Make sure the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and microwave are in good working order. Fix any leaks, and replace the coolant or freon in your fridge or freezer if necessary.
• Cabinets In both the kitchen and bathrooms, everything should be in good condition, free of water damage or rot. Cabinet doors and drawers should open and close smoothly. Fix loose hinges, unclog or replace stuck drawer tracks, and replace broken knobs or handles. You can handle most of these tasks yourself, with a screwdriver and a trip to the hardware store.

  If the cabinets are painted, make sure the paint isn’t chipped or peeling. If it is, sand them down and apply a fresh coat. Severely damaged cabinets may need to be replaced, a task that may require a contractor unless you’re skilled at home renovations.

  • Sinks and faucets Water features should run leak-free, and all drains should operate free and clear. The overflow drain, which prevents overfilling a bathtub, should be in good working order. Hot and cold options should operate as marked on the faucets.
    
    
    
    
    

If you know someone—whether an elderly neighbor, a disabled friend, or even yourself—in tough financial circumstances who needs critical repairs or modifications to a home, it's tempting to dream of a dramatic reality-show rescue, with a shiny truck full of contractors and TV cameras and lights pulling up to the door to work a miraculous makeover in 30 minutes. But, like the lottery, the numbers are stacked against that happening.

But that's no reason to despair, because your surest source of hope may be much closer to home. There are organizations, national and local, that quietly help many thousands of low-income homeowners each year. Whether you're looking for help or looking to volunteer, here are some avenues to explore.

Rebuilding Together

With a vision of "a safe and healthy home for every person," Rebuilding Together began as a small group of people in Midland, Texas, who came together in 1973 as Christmas in April. Their goal: Help neighbors whose homes had fallen into disrepair but who could not afford to fix them. What was then a once-a-year day of service expanded and became a year-round endeavor that was reorganized as Rebuilding Together in 1988. Through its nationwide network of affiliates and partners, corporate and individual donors, skilled tradespersons, and volunteers, it provides extensive repairs, rehabilitation, and accessibility modification services for thousands of homeowners in need each year. Visit Rebuilding together to find the affiliate nearest you and learn more about what it offers.

Habitat for Humanity International

You might think of Habitat for Humanity only in its well-known role as a builder of affordable housing for new homeowner/buyers in the States and abroad, but in many areas it also renovates existing buildings, and it has programs that help people repair and upgrade their own homes and communities. Selection of Habitat homeowners is determined by each local affiliate, based on the family's level of need, willingness to partner (including a minimum number of "sweat equity" hours and classes in home maintenance and finance), and ability to make affordable monthly mortgage payments. Some affiliates also offer other services and workshops that are open to individuals of all income levels. And many operate a ReStore, a nonprofit donation center that sells new and gently used appliances, building materials, and furniture to the public at a fraction of the retail price.

Local volunteer programs

You might not need to look farther than your own backyard. In many communities, churches and other charity organizations have volunteers who can perform home repairs. If you do a Google search for "home repair ministry" or "home repair volunteers" with the name of your county or state, you will likely find sources nearby; or just call around to local churches and ask.

For more information on home-repair volunteering, including a list of 19 groups that help the elderly and disabled in locations across the country and ideas for starting your own grassroots team.