Baltimore Sun Sunday

Spending less can be costly

- By Paul F.P. Pogue

You get what you pay for, as the saying goes, and there are some areas where you shouldn’t skimp on quality — building materials and contractor services, for example. When you cut corners in important areas, you’ll typically end up paying a lot more in the long run. You might have higher operating costs, have to pay extra to fix the mistakes made the first time around or replace something years before you should have to.

Insulation: Properly insulating your home improves comfort, increases energy efficiency and reduces heating and cooling costs. According to the Energy Star program, nine out of 10 American homes are underinsul­ated, so this is an easy way to boost efficiency. Aim for the highest R value achievable within your budget.

Caulk: Less expensive caulking materials aren’t as flexible as higher-quality options, and they typically won’t adhere to surfaces for as long. For a lasting result, use the best possible caulk for the job. The higher quality makes a big difference; premium caulk can last 10 times longer than cheaper options.

Windows: Windows are expensive and labor-intensive. You also don’t tend to replace them for many years after you install them. So, this is a job you definitely want to get done right the first time. Choose the most efficient windows you can afford specific to your climate. You can cut heating and cooling costs by as much as 33 percent by paying extra for low-e storm windows.

Paint: Not all paints are created equal. Lower-quality paint tends to fade faster and require more volume for coverage than higherqual­ity options, particular­ly in highly saturated colors. This is one area in which the benefit is immediatel­y obvious. Economy-grade paint may require two to three additional coats to achieve the same effect.

Roof replacemen­t: Roofing is one of the biggest and most expensive jobs you’ll do on your house, and the consequenc­es of a poor roofing job can be catastroph­ic. So hire a reputable roofing contractor to install the best-quality product you can afford. Also, higher-quality materials generally have longer warranties, sometimes 50 years or more, so you’ll likely only have to pay for this project once.

Kitchen appliances: You’ll be putting appliances through heavy use for years, especially the bigger ones, like a refrigerat­or or oven. Higher-end models are likely to last much longer, and you’ll get a longer warranty. Space matters too. You might save a few bucks by reducing the storage space of a fridge or the usable area of an oven, but over the years, you might regret the small savings at the cost of convenienc­e.

Hiring a qualified profession­al: The lowest bid won’t necessaril­y be the cheapest. Check references carefully, and always be sure you’re working with a contractor who’s licensed, insured and experience­d. You want someone who has done your specific kind of job before. Also, never skip important permits and inspection­s. If a contractor waves off the permitting process as no big deal, that’s a red flag.

 ?? DREAMSTIME ?? Choose the most efficient windows you can afford specific to your climate.
DREAMSTIME Choose the most efficient windows you can afford specific to your climate.

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