Small home repairs add up: a door that sticks, a crack in the wall, a faucet that drips, a railing that wobbles. Left alone, some of them turn into bigger and more costly problems. On BidHandyman you post your repairs once, free, and verified local pros send you bids. Compare them, message the pros and hire the one you like, with no obligation.
Which home repairs to fix first
| When | Repairs |
|---|---|
| Right away | Active water leaks, a smell of gas (leave the house and call your gas company first), sparking outlets or a burning smell (call an electrician), broken locks on outside doors, no heat or cooling in extreme weather. |
| Soon | Dripping faucets and running toilets, cracked caulk around tubs and sinks, loose railings and steps, doors that do not latch, soft spots in floors, small roof or siding damage. |
| When it suits you | Nail holes and scuffs, squeaky doors, worn grout, loose cabinet doors, small paint touch-ups. |
Water is the one to watch: a slow leak under a sink or behind a toilet can rot the floor and cabinet before you see it. For a full walk-through of the house, use the home repair checklist.
Common home repairs, room by room
- Kitchen: leaks under the sink, a faucet that drips, loose cabinet doors and hinges, a disposal that hums, cracked caulk on the backsplash.
- Bathroom: running toilets, slow drains, cracked or missing grout and caulk, a loose towel bar, an exhaust fan that does not pull.
- Living areas and bedrooms: holes and cracks in drywall, doors that stick, worn weatherstripping, light fixtures and switches.
- Outside: fence and gate repairs, loose deck boards, rotted trim around doors and windows, gutters, screens.
Repairs that need a specialist
A handyman handles most small repairs. Some need a licensed trade, and the rules change from place to place: new electrical circuits, gas lines, moving plumbing, roof leaks, foundation cracks and A/C or furnace repairs. If you are not sure, describe the problem in your post and the right pros bid. More in handyman vs contractor vs specialist.
After a leak or a storm, start with water damage restoration. Soft, crumbling trim around doors and windows is covered in wood rot repair.
Turn your repairs into one clear list
- Walk the house: write down every repair, room by room.
- Mark what is urgent: leaks and safety first.
- Take photos: one close-up and one wider shot of each repair.
- Add sizes: the size of the hole, the length of the fence, the number of doors.
- Say what you have: a new faucet in the box, leftover paint, spare tiles.
- Pick a time: as soon as possible, a set day, or anytime in the next few weeks.
One post can hold the whole list, and a pro can often do several repairs in one visit. Read more about posting a honey-do list.
What a good repair bid lists
- Every repair on your list: and anything the pro would leave out.
- Materials: what the pro brings and what you supply.
- How it is priced: per repair, per hour or one total.
- When: the day, the time window and how long it should take.
- Cleanup: whether old parts and debris are hauled away.
- Warranty: how long the work is covered, in writing.
Repairs before you sell or move
Buyers and inspectors notice leaks, loose railings, cracked tile, sticking doors and scuffed walls. Fixing the small items before you list can make the house show better and keep the inspection report shorter. See repairs before selling a house for what to fix first and what to skip.
Get bids on your home repairs
Post one repair or the whole list, add photos and pick when you want it done. Only pros approved by BidHandyman can bid, you can ask questions by message, and there is no obligation to hire. Post your home repairs for free, or see hire a handyman.