MONEY TALK SUE’S GUIDE TO Household Repairs For Less
Consumer expert Sue Hayward’s savvy finance tips and advice
Want to get your home ship-shape for the forthcoming winter? Here are my tips to cutting the cost of those niggly household repairs. Trawl spares websites Ordering parts for appliances through the manufacturer can be costly. If you need parts like washing machine latches or dishwasher spray arms, check places like and
– and don’t forget Amazon! Check model numbers before ordering; you may not get a refund once the pack’s open. Watch a DIY video YouTube is packed with short demo videos of all kinds of household jobs. When the roof on my convertible started leaking, we fixed it for a fiver with bathroom sealant after seeing a video on YouTube.
Pop to a repair café
Let’s face it, it’s hard to find repair shops that fix small stuff these days. Repair cafés are free pop-up events held at community centres. Take along small appliances for a team of fixers to get them working again. Find your local one at
Get a second opinion on quotes
Need to pay a professional and worry about being ripped off? Check the IsThisQuote Fair? section on the forums at
Share your quote and post details of the job and you can get free second opinions, plus advice from other users who’ve had similar jobs done or have knowledge of what’s involved.
◆ Home insurance can cover claims for flood or leak damage, but if you’ve not looked after your home, they may not pay up.
◆ Paying professionals for a job? Get at least three quotes and always check if VAT is included. Smaller traders may not charge this, depending on their income.
◆ Check whether traders belong to a trade organisation – this means comeback if you’re not happy with the job.