Perpetual skyscrapers accompanied by a vivid nightlife is what makes New York City so unique and full of energy. However, between work meetings and overbearing deadlines, home renovations feel like a herculean task. Do you hear the radiator making odd noises? What about the leaky ceiling and loose tiles in your kitchen? Sounds familiar? 

You don’t need to lose half of your sanity to keep your house in order as there is good news. This guide will help you figure out your priorities when it comes to deciding what renovations are ideal for you, estimate when you’d need to call the professionals, and how to find trustworthy contractors that are able to help you complete your home maintenance even with a packed schedule. 

The walls may not actually be talking to you, but if you listen closely, they are in fact asking for a lot of help. Here’s a list to better maintain your sanity and peace of mind while still being able to treasure the value of your property. 

The top of this list is ensuring you tend to all of the renovations that include protection to your health and overall safety. At first glance, a flickering light could be notoriously creepy, but if there’s an overloaded circuit somewhere emitting this low electric buzz, it might just be the hint you’re looking for.

Water Drips: Leaks in your plumbing can turn into money pits if left unresolved. That constant dripping will run you dry, slowly draining your patience alongside your water bill. 

Loss of Heat in Winter: Winters in New York can be particularly brutal. Make sure you attend to anything that may compromise your warmth sooner rather than later. 

Create a Low-Stakes “Later” List

Skirting boards or walls that have seen better days? Things that aren’t essential can go in the bucket for box marked ‘when I have cash or time.’ You can make a list, but don’t stress too much on fixing everything at once. 

Pro Tip: Visualise important essentials versus cosmetic changes by using apps like Trello or Notion to keep track of repairs you have to make and the deadlines you have to meet by. 

Give Them a Call or Go For It? The Dilemma of a City Dweller

The big question, are you feeling up for getting your hands dirty or prefer solving the riddle by hiring a professional? It all depends on how much time you have, your skill level, and how much risk you are prepared to take.

Do Them Yourself For Easily Achievable Tasks

These tasks can be marked done if you have more than just clips and tape in your toolkit:

Repainting: A little additional colour goes a long way. 

Bathtub Re-Caulking: For this delightfully engaging fix, Youtube is your friend. 

Replacing door knobs or cabinet handles: If you possess a basic screwdriver then you’re ready. 

Use Professionals For Large Problems 

Some tasks can get quite technical, like plumbing, electrical work, or roofing. So for those issues, rely on the experts.

Why? Errors made here can not only be expensive, but dangerous as well.

For quick jobs, we recommend using Task Rabbit, and for more thorough work, HomeAdvisor. Both of these can be used to find contractors in New York City. 

Bonus Tip: As a general rule, it is always good to check Yelp and Nextdoor before employing any professional services. This is New York City after all, you have to be careful.

How to Locate Reliable Experts in New York City

Let’s face it, we have all heard a gruesome story or two about contractors vanishing in the middle of a remodelling project. Many professionals claim that they can deliver but do you really want to risk it? Follow these tips to make sure everything works out. 

1. People who have dealt with contractors

Anyone who works around you, or lives in your vicinity has probably hired a contractor before. Why don’t you try and get details from them?

2. Look at their previous work

Regardless of the company you are trying to hire, always check if they have a valid licence and proper insurance, as these will cover you in case anything goes wrong during the construction.

3. Read Reviews Ruthlessly

Trust strangers at your own risk. While some people think NYC is filled with five-star businesses, they fail to realise that there are even more who claim that their services are less than reputable. Look at reviews from a different time period and watch out for businesses that are deemed “reliable” now.

4. Make an Appointment First

Never accept offers from people desperately trying to “help” you. The best professionals in the field will offer free consultations where you explain your problems and they will provide feasible solutions and assess your place. Shady ones? Good luck to you if they claim reliable contractors are rushing in.

Time-Saving Techniques Every New Yorker Should Implement 

Take good care of your house and manage your time properly to create a balance in your career. This is how you achieve staying ahead of your work curve. 

Schedule Repairs in Off Hours 

Try to target late mornings, weekends or other PTO holidays to work on non-peak business hours. Got a professional job? NYC has you covered, as most NYC professionals work odd hours. 

Use Apps for Assistance 

Thumbtack and Angi can help you schedule jobs faster. Those apps have real professionals with verified credentials and have their price range along with their availability so you can grab the time slot that suits you best within seconds.

Batch Jobs 

By all means hire one contractor who can do multiple repairs, such as fixing your bathroom sink while replacing the light fixtures saves both your call-out money and time.

Professional tip: Add calendar alerts for maintenance that are recurring, such as checking the water heater or changing the HVAC filter. Your future self will be grateful.

Maintain Preventative Measures to Keep The Madness Away 

Implementing small techniques now will help you avoid future costly obstacles down the road so think of preventative measures as healthcare…but for your radiator.

Monthly Chop The Soda N Vinegar When Clogged: Soda and vinegar will assist you in unclogging your pipes. 

During Winter Check for Drafts: Always remember to check for drafts and close the windows before the snow hits.

Gutter cleaning should be done twice a year to avoid water damage- or you can hire someone who likes climbing ladders. 

Every few months, you should check your appliances. For instance, that dryer rattle may transform into a £400 bill down the line.

Trust me, you’ve got this, even when living in NYC. 

Home repair maintenance does not have to feel as frustrating as rush-hour subway travel. Even the busiest professionals can maintain their homes without draining their time, money, and sanity. The trick is having the right strategies and getting help. 

So when the time has come to start checking projects off your to-do list, remember to start small such as painting a single wall or fixing any deck squeaks. When crunch time hits you, be sure to set your schedule in a manner that allows you to execute all the smart hiring tips you acquired from the guide. 

New York City is enough of a struggle on its own, so don’t let your flat turn into an additional stress factor.