When money’s tight but you know your house needs attention, it can be difficult to pick which home repair to tackle first. If you have problems in any of these four areas, address them before moving on to less important projects.  Electrical Because a faulty or outdated electrical system can cause fires or electrocutions, it’s best to address this one first. If your circuit breaker trips frequently, your outlets only take two prongs or if they get hot, you need to get an electrician to come in and correct the problem. It’ll cost you between $300 and $500 for a licensed professional to come out and look at your system. A full rewire will cost between $4000 and $10,000. Basement The next most important problems to look for are anything related to the foundation. If you notice split or bowed beams, rotted posts, large cracks in the masonry or signs of boring insects, like piles of sawdust, it’s time to call a contractor in. Usually, they’ll assess the damage for free, but if they suggest significant repairs, look at calling a home inspection engineer for a second opinion. The engineer will cost you between $350 and $500. However, if you can avoid major repairs on the foundation, you’ll save yourself between $3500 and $8000. Roof Minnesota roofs take quite a beating, and if you notice stains on the ceiling, and damaged or missing roofing sections, it’s time to bring a roofer in to inspect your home. Consultations are usually free, and you may be able to save money by doing suggested repairs instead of a full replacement. However, if you replace your current roof with a metal roof, you’re much less likely to see damage from storms and you probably won’t need to replace it again. You can expect most roof replacements to cost between $5000 and $15,000, depending on complexity and material. Gutters While you’re replacing your roof, think about doing the same for your gutters, if they’re dented or disconnected. Other signs are of water pooling at the foundation after a storm or leaking into the basement. Replacing old gutters will cost between $1500 and $3000.

Although home repairs and replacement can be expensive, you’ll save both money and stress in potential structural damage to your home as well as possible medical costs due to injury.

Quarve Contracting is a full-service exterior home improvement contractor serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.  We offer home remodeling solutions such as roofing, siding, gutters, and window and door replacements.