For most of us, our homes are one of the biggest investments we'll make – so we want to take care of it. Angie's List founder Angie Hicks doesn't want you to be surprised by emergency home repairs this year. That's why she's calling on homeowners to take the Angie's List Pledge to get their houses in order in 2014.
"My goal is not to add more work to everyone's schedule. The key here is to do an assessment. Walk around your house like you are getting ready to buy the house and make a list of the things that need to be fixed. You should be able to do this in an hour or two, but it will save you a lot of time, headache and money down the road."
Jeff Flora, a handyman, says don't neglect the little things because they can lead to costly repairs.
"It might be a minor thing. It might be a major thing but it's always a good idea to call somebody that has a little bit of experience because experience matters and they can take a look at it ascertain whether it's going to be a big problem or a small problem."
Consider how much available you have to spend and start with projects that you can afford. Make sure the money you spend will add value to your home. Just remember not to get too overwhelmed or you'll never see the project through. The Angie's List Pledge is easy. Step one is taking the pledge to commit two hours to inspecting your home and identifying its problem areas. Step two is putting together a list of what projects to tackle first. If you don't know where to start, Angie's List offers a downloadable pledge checklist.
