Many household items are prone to damage and breakage, but it can be worth repairing than replacing them. However, there are some rules you should consider to ensure you don’t lose money when repairing or regret later why you didn’t replace the item instead.
The 50% rule
Do not spend more than 50% of its cost to repair the item. Some broken items will only require gluing, but some can be more complex to repair. As a good rule of thumb, if an item has already broken down more than once before, it might be a nice idea to replace it. For instance, you don’t want to pay $100 for a repair when you can get the item with $200. Find some tips and tricks here on common ways to fix household items.
Consider its age
Every item from automobiles, everyday household items, clothes, furniture, appliances, roofing, etc., have a specific lifespan. For example, a roof may have a lifespan of 20years. After 20 years, it starts to deteriorate, and wear becomes more visible. Common home items wear and tear with age, while some become less efficient over time. Determine the age of the item to decide if repairing is worth replacing. If it has already surpassed its lifespan, a replacement may be the best option.
Liability
Determine who is liable for the broken or damaged item before repairing it. For instance, if a home fixture is broken and you are only a tenancy, it might be the landlord’s responsibility to facilitate the repairs if you were not involved in the damage. You can fix some household items on your own, especially the non-electric ones but for others, determine the liability first.
Whether to repair or replace
Clothing and apparel
It is common to see people wearing garments and other apparel until they are too thread-worn to wear anymore. If clothes have served their final duty, you can recycle them into rags and save the money you would have spent on repairs. How about a pair of shoes or belts you spent so much to buy? Well, many shoes are strong enough to withstand wear and tear. All you need to do is fix the tear with glue. If a garment is a timeless classic you can’t let go of, a repair is worth it.
Large appliances
When a large appliance breaks down, it can lead to other problems. You can sometimes withstand staying without a dishwasher, but some appliances such as a refrigerator or cooking stove have to be foxed as soon as possible. When a large machine breaks down, ask yourself three questions:
- Is it still under warranty?
- Can you repair it yourself?
- Is it obsolete?
- Do you save money on repairing or replacing?
Professional repairs can be expensive but worth it. If an appliance is obsolete, it is better to replace it to save more in the long run.
Home and personal electronics
Electronics like TVs and smartphones require professional repairs. If the technician charges too much, you might want to try another one. It is worth replacing if the repair costs more than half the cost of replacing the item.
