Are you worried about the cost of repairing your crawl space? Planning out a budget ahead of time can help you confidently take on any challenges that may come your way. What problems should you be on the lookout for, and how much should you have put away in your budget?
Why Should You Worry About Your Crawl Space?
Before addressing the intricacies of budgeting, you may be asking yourself: Why do you need to care for your crawl space in the first place?
Most crawl spaces are surprisingly sensitive, not to mention central to the health of their homes. A damaged crawl space can impact your lifestyle as well as the structural integrity of your home. For example, some of the most common problems you may run into, should you leave your crawl space unattended, include:
- Pests – If water can get into your home, so can insects and animals. When these uninvited guests come into your house, they can exacerbate problems that already exist, including crawl space damage. If you want to keep your home less attractive to pests, you’ll need to work with professionals to clear out your crawl space should something go wrong. While most professional crawl space repair contractors don’t have the specializations that allow them to rid your home of pests, you’ll need to call an exterminator as well as a repair contractor to help you reclaim your home.
- Mold – A moist crawl space begets mold. If you want to keep these clusters from taking room around your home, you’re going to need to do what you can to keep your crawl space as water-tight as possible.
- Water Damage – Naturally, a leaking or cracked crawl space will let moisture into your home. With that moisture comes standing water, especially if you leave your crawl space unattended. If you want to avoid the kind of water damage that can compromise the structural integrity of your home, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your crawl space.
- Smells – Unfortunately, a leaking crawl space never smells pleasant. When there’s more moisture in the air, rot and mold can take hold of your home. Those invaders will soon stink up your home, no matter how clean you keep the other rooms.
- Bills – The more moisture is in the air, the harder your temperature control appliances are going to have to work to keep your home’s climate consistent. As such, a leak in your crawl space can cause your electric and heating bills to rise. Similarly, that moisture can cause your pipes to fracture and leak. If you notice your water bill on the rise, even as your water pressure is weakening, then you’ll want to head into your crawl space to see if you have a problem on your hands.
Saving Up For Your Crawl Space Repair Budget
With so much potential for damage, is there a way to really budget for crawl space repairs?
Unfortunately, the cost of most repairs will be entirely individualized. Contractors’ work will vary in cost and time requirements based on the size of your home, the severity of your crawl space’s damage, and more.
How much, then, should you have put away for potential repairs? It’s often best to anticipate costs between $5,000 and $15,000.
Thinking About DIY Crawl Space Repair?
If you’re looking to save money on home repairs, wouldn’t it be easiest to try and repair a leak in your crawl space on your own time? In theory, yes. In practice, however, DIY-ing a crawl space repair can cost you more money than working with a professional.
Why? Think of it this way: if you don’t manage to fix the leak in your crawl space, it can worsen over time. When you do eventually call a contractor for guidance, the repair time and cost could increase, as they’ll have to remove any DIY solutions before implementing their own.
It’s always best, then, to take advantage of a professional inspection and free quote on services when your crawl space starts to leak.
Ready to reclaim your home? Reach out to the contractors working in the St. Cloud, MN, area to get started today.
