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Home Repair Cost|What You Can Expect To Pay in Houston

Lets Be frank here , things are bound to break and damage in and around your home . Some home repairs cost more than others to fix. Here I'll give you a breakdown of costs that could incur . With this guide you should be more familiar with what you are up against once you are ready to hire a handyman to do your repair work.

A lot of home repairs are simple, inexpensive, and DIY-friendly. But if you need to call in a handyman, here's a rundown on typical home repair costs

Toilet Repair

There are many reasons a toilet would need repair , all the way down to a full on replacement

  1. Leaky Fill Valve:
    • Signs: Continuous running water into the bowl.
    • Repairs: Adjusting or replacing the fill valve, and checking for leaks.
  2. Wax Ring Replacement:
    • Signs: Water pooling around the base of the toilet.
    • Repairs: Replacing the wax ring to ensure a proper seal.
  3. Running Toilet:
    • Signs: Water continues to flow into the bowl after flushing.
    • Repairs: Adjusting the flapper, chain, or replacing the flush valve.
  4. Clogged Toilet:
    • Signs: Water doesn't drain or drains slowly after flushing.
    • Repairs: Using a plunger, auger, or chemical drain cleaner to clear the blockage.
  5. Toilet Handle Issues:
    • Signs: Difficulty flushing, loose handle, or no flushing action.
    • Repairs: Adjusting or replacing the handle and ensuring a tight connection.
  6. Faulty Flapper:
    • Signs: Water seeping into the bowl continuously.
    • Repairs: Replacing the flapper to maintain a proper seal.

Costs

  • Leaky fill valve replacement - Labor could be anywhere from $60- $ 150 .Materials range from $12-$30.
  • Wax Ring Replacement- Labor could be between $60-$150. Materials range from $4.67 to $8.78.
  • Toilet Replacement - Labor From $120 on up depending on the handyman or plumber you hire.

Faucet Repair

Continues drips from a faucet is enough to drive you mad. It also increases your water bill. Depending on the faucet you have a repair might be suitable for you .

  1. Continuous Dripping:
    • Signs: Steady water drops when the faucet is off.
    • Repairs: Replacing worn-out washers or seals, or fixing internal parts.
  2. Low Water Pressure:
    • Signs: Weak water flow from the faucet.
    • Repairs: Cleaning aerators, checking for clogs, or adjusting water pressure settings.
  3. Leaky Base:
    • Signs: Water pooling around the base of the faucet.
    • Repairs: Tightening connections, replacing O-rings, or addressing corroded parts.
  4. Faulty Cartridge or Valve:
    • Signs: Uneven water temperature or difficulty adjusting it.
    • Repairs: Replacing the cartridge or valve, ensuring proper alignment.
  5. Noisy Faucet Operation:
    • Signs: Unusual sounds like squeaking or clanking.
    • Repairs: Lubricating moving parts, tightening loose components, or replacing worn-out parts.
  • Labor $100 and up.
  • Materials $5- $80 ( Rubber washers, O-rings, and cartridges.

Replacing A Ceiling Fan

Over time ceiling fans stop working or become defective. The motor will go out, blades will warp up , or your fan just might become out of style ( I know). So replacing your ceiling fan might be one of the repairs on your list . Especially to keep your space cool in the summer months .

Common Ceiling Fan Issues:

  1. Wobbling or Vibrating:
    • Signs: Unsteady movement or vibrations during operation.
    • Repairs: Balancing fan blades, checking blade alignment, and securing loose components.
  2. Inconsistent Speeds:
    • Signs: Fan operates at varying speeds or struggles to maintain consistent speed.
    • Repairs: Adjusting speed settings, cleaning or replacing the capacitor.
  3. Noisy Operation:
    • Signs: Unusual sounds like clicking, humming, or scraping.
    • Repairs: Tightening loose screws, lubricating moving parts, or replacing worn-out components.
  4. Non-Responsive Remote Control:
    • Signs: Remote control fails to operate the fan or adjust settings.
    • Repairs: Checking remote batteries, reprogramming, or replacing the remote.
  5. Stalled or Sluggish Operation:
    • Signs: Difficulty starting, slow rotation, or complete stalling.
    • Repairs: Lubricating the motor, checking for obstructions, or addressing electrical issues.
  6. Light Kit Malfunction:
    • Signs: Issues with turning the light on/off or adjusting brightness.
    • Repairs: Checking wiring connections, replacing bulbs, or troubleshooting the light kit.
  • Labor - $160 and up
  • Material $40 - $1500 up ( for the really decked out ones)

Drywall Repair

Drywall Repair is the most common of the home repairs. Nicks,dings,Nail pops, cracks, bubbling joint tape and etc . Repairing Sheetrock inst so much challenging , it;s just very time consuming and messy. From cutting wallboard and replacing it, All the way to taping and mudding with joint compound and matching textures. It's more so the wait on dry times. It'll most likely take multiple trips to do a repair , Although heat guns can speed up dry time . When fixing Sheetrock you also would have to prime and paint .

Common Drywall Issues:

  1. Nicks and Dings:
    • Signs: Small, shallow indentations on the wall surface.
    • Repairs: Patching with joint compound and sanding for a smooth finish.
  2. Nail Pops:
    • Signs: Small, crater-like protrusions caused by nails pushing through.
    • Repairs: Resetting the popped nail, patching, and finishing.
  3. Cracks:
    • Signs: Visible linear splits in the drywall.
    • Repairs: Filling with joint compound, tape for reinforcement, and sanding.
  4. Holes:
    • Signs: Various-sized openings, from small punctures to larger holes.
    • Repairs: Patching with joint compound or using a drywall repair kit.
  5. Bubbling Joint Tape:
    • Signs: Raised or blistered areas along taped seams.
    • Repairs: Cutting out the damaged section, applying new tape, and mudding.
  6. Water Damage:
    • Signs: Discoloration, sagging, or soft spots due to water exposure.
    • Repairs: Addressing the source of water, replacing damaged sections, and drying thoroughly.
  • Labor- $150 and up.
  • Materials starting at $25.

Gutter Repair

Gutters and downspouts carry water from rain away from your house and onto the ground. Sometimes the weight of wet and soggy leaves puts too much pressure on gutters, causing them to pull away from the house or slope is at inefficient angles.

  • Signs of Damage: Overflowing gutters, sagging sections, leaks.
  • Repairs Needed: Cleaning debris, reattaching or replacing sections, sealing leaks.
  • Frequency: Seasonal cleaning, especially in fall.

A handyman will clean gutters, and replace or reinstall supportive hardware and hangers. To ensure the correct slope, you will have to detach and reattach each gutter section.

  • Labor- $150 and up
  • Materials- $120- $400

Door Repair

Over time, houses shifts as foundation settles and building materials expand and contract with . This brings on alot of home repair problems . Flooring buckles , drywall cracks,and doors and frames shifts ever so slighly. This will cause hinges to become stuck and doors won't open and shut in the proper manner . Leading to needing Door & Door frame repair

Using shims to door frames and hinges put your door back into square rendering them easily open and close properly. Replacing worn-out screws with longer screws helps secure hinges tightly.

A handyman can fix a door in about an hour. Materials will include shims and screws.

Common Door Issues:

  1. Sticking Doors:
    • Signs: Difficulty opening or closing the door.
    • Possible Causes: Humidity changes, paint buildup, or foundation shifts.
    • Repairs: Sanding or planing the edges, adjusting hinges.
  2. Squeaky Hinges:
    • Signs: Audible squeaking when the door is in motion.
    • Possible Causes: Lack of lubrication or worn-out hinges.
    • Repairs: Lubricating hinges with a silicone-based lubricant or replacing worn hinges.
  3. Draughts and Leaks:
    • Signs: Air or water infiltration around the door.
    • Possible Causes: Worn weatherstripping or gaps in the door frame.
    • Repairs: Replacing weatherstripping, sealing gaps with caulk or door sweeps.
  4. Damaged Door Frames:
    • Signs: Visible cracks or warping in the door frame.
    • Possible Causes: Age, weather exposure, or structural issues.
    • Repairs: Filling cracks with wood filler, reinforcing with wood glue, or replacing damaged sections.
  5. Broken or Misaligned Locks:
    • Signs: Difficulty locking or unlocking the door.
    • Possible Causes: Misalignment, worn-out components, or damaged lock mechanisms.
    • Repairs: Adjusting strike plates, lubricating lock components, or replacing the lock if necessary.
  6. Deteriorating Door Finish:
    • Signs: Peeling, cracking, or discoloration of the door surface.
    • Possible Causes: Exposure to the elements, age, or poor-quality finishes.
    • Repairs: Stripping old finish, sanding, and applying a new coat of high-quality paint or stain.
  • Labor- $160 minimum charge
  • materials- $0-$5 (unless new frames,trim, or hardware is required)

Light Switch /Outlet Replacement

Turning on the lights and getting nothing but a spark and crackling noise can be overwhelming and mostly concerning. However , its probably an easy quick fix. An electrician or a handyman who is versed in electrical work, will check for loose wires and tighten them, Use a voltage tester to make sure its getting power; or just replace the switch replace the switch in. This should take an hour at max (if that)

  • Signs of Damage: Flickering lights, tripped circuit breakers, sparking outlets.
  • Repairs Needed: Replacing faulty wiring, fixing outlets, addressing electrical panel issues.
  • Frequency: Regular electrical inspections and prompt attention to issues.
  • Labor- $150 minimum.
  • Materials- $1-$5 For light 15 amp single pole light switch. It is arounf the same cost for an outlet.

Fence Repair

The main reasons that a fence needs repair is due to problems caused by weather. Severe weather like heavy rainfall, high winds can all cause degradation of your fence, causing parts of the fence to break entirely.

Common Fence Issues:

  1. Rotting Wood:
    • Signs: Soft or discolored wood, especially at the base.
    • Causes: Prolonged exposure to moisture, insects, or fungal growth.
    • Repairs: Replacing damaged sections, treating with wood preservatives.
  2. Leaning or Sagging:
    • Signs: Fence sections tilting or sagging.
    • Causes: Unstable soil, inadequate support, or post deterioration.
    • Repairs: Realigning posts, reinforcing support, or replacing damaged posts.
  3. Loose or Missing Fasteners:
    • Signs: Nails or screws coming loose, missing fasteners.
    • Causes: Exposure to wind, weather, or poor initial installation.
    • Repairs: Tightening or replacing fasteners, ensuring proper installation.
  4. Broken or Damaged Panels:
    • Signs: Cracked or broken fence panels.
    • Causes: Impact, weather conditions, or age.
    • Repairs: Reinforcing with braces, patching cracks, or replacing damaged panels.
  5. Rust on Metal Fences:
    • Signs: Rust stains or corrosion on metal components.
    • Causes: Exposure to moisture, especially in humid climates.
    • Repairs: Sanding off rust, applying rust-resistant coatings.
  6. Stains and Discoloration:
    • Signs: Unsightly stains or discoloration on the fence surface.
    • Causes: Mold, mildew, or water exposure.
    • Repairs: Cleaning with a mild detergent, applying mold-resistant sealant.

Costs

  • Labor- Minimum charge $150 ( but you should expect to pay around $350 and up depending on how much fence needing repair )
  • Materials - $30 and up , again depending on how many feet needs replaced . (2x4's & pickets) price of lumber is also up and down . sometimes is on the higher side and then drops in price.

Deck repair

This is also similar to fence repair . Where the minimum charge would be $150,however deck lumber its pricier than fence lumber .

Common Deck Issues:

  1. Rotting or Decayed Wood:
    • Signs: Soft spots, discoloration, or visible decay in wooden deck boards.
    • Repairs: Replace damaged boards, inspect and reinforce the underlying structure, and apply wood preservatives.
  2. Loose or Missing Nails and Screws:
    • Signs: Boards that shift, wobble, or present trip hazards.
    • Repairs: Secure loose boards with additional fasteners, replace missing screws or nails, and tighten railings.
  3. Cracked or Splintered Boards:
    • Signs: Visible cracks, splits, or splinters on the deck surface.
    • Repairs: Sanding and smoothing the surface, filling cracks with wood filler, and sealing or staining to prevent further damage.
  4. Unstable or Wobbly Railings:
    • Signs: Railings that shake or feel insecure.
    • Repairs: Tighten loose screws, reinforce connections, and replace damaged or compromised railing sections.
  5. Mold and Mildew Growth:
    • Signs: Discoloration, green or black spots, or a musty odor.
    • Repairs: Clean the deck surface thoroughly, use mold inhibitors, and improve ventilation to prevent future growth.

Brick Repair

For small Brick Repair (1-3) bricks replacement repairs can start at $160

Common Brick Issues:

  1. Cracked Bricks:
    • Signs: Visible cracks on individual bricks.
    • Causes: Settlement, weather exposure, or structural shifts.
    • Repairs: Removing damaged bricks, replacing with new ones, and repointing.
  2. Mortar Deterioration:
    • Signs: Crumbling or missing mortar joints.
    • Causes: Weathering, moisture, or aging.
    • Repairs: Repointing or tuckpointing, which involves removing and replacing deteriorated mortar.
  3. Efflorescence:
    • Signs: White, powdery deposits on the brick surface.
    • Causes: Water migration through the bricks, leaving behind dissolved salts.
    • Repairs: Cleaning the surface and addressing water infiltration issues.
  4. Spalling:
    • Signs: Surface flaking or chipping of bricks.
    • Causes: Freeze-thaw cycles, water absorption, or use of improper cleaning agents.
    • Repairs: Replacing damaged bricks, sealing, and addressing water-related issues.
  5. Stains on Bricks:
    • Signs: Discoloration or unsightly stains on brick surfaces.
    • Causes: Mold, mildew, or environmental factors.
    • Repairs: Cleaning with appropriate solutions and preventive measures.
  6. Brick Displacement:
    • Signs: Bricks protruding or recessed from the wall.
    • Causes: Foundation settling, ground movement, or improper installation.
    • Repairs: Resetting displaced bricks and addressing underlying issues.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview, but keep in mind that actual costs can vary based on factors such as your location, the specific handyman hired, and the materials used. When facing home repairs, being well-informed ensures that you're better prepared to tackle the challenges and make informed decisions.