Concerns about COVID-19 still exist, and inflation has been rising, especially in 2022, to over 7%. Inflation has many causes, but the result is that your home budget won’t cover as many costs as it used to. This includes things like cleaning the gutters and cutting the grass.
Costs for cleaning gutters, mowing the lawn, cleaning windows, and other common home maintenance services can be “inflation-proofed” to a large extent, though. Taking the few easy steps below can cut your costs by 10–20% or more, even when inflation is taken into account. These tips from EC Bergen County Gutters & Power Washing can help homeowners save money on gutter cleaning and other home maintenance costs this year:
Do a Little Work for Yourself Beforehand
We aren’t telling you to start cleaning your own gutters or killing your own bugs. But you can help keep costs down by doing some work before you hire the services. Cut back any trees or landscaping that might be causing a lot of debris to end up in your gutters. Clean up the area around your house to make it easier and faster for workers to do their jobs. When a service provider comes to your home, if they see trash and garbage piled up around your house, broken-down cars in the driveway, or a pool full of leaves and other debris, you will be charged more.
Book Services Ahead of Time
When everyone on the block is trying to get their gutters cleaned out at the same time, it’s not a good time to get services like gutter cleaning. Supply and demand, the old standby. We’re not saying you should have your gutters cleaned at the wrong times of the year. What we are saying is that if you book ahead, you will pay less. Most home services, like gutter cleaning, can be booked six months in advance. This means you’re usually locked in for the work and usually locked in for the price. And booking at the last minute, when everyone is busy, will always cost more. During busy times, a typical gutter cleaning service that costs $200 can cost $300 or more.
Subscribe to Maintenance Contracts
When you can save money by signing an annual service agreement or maintenance contract for things like gutter cleaning, do it. You may have to agree to two or three cleanings, but you will be locked into a price that is much lower than if you got a quote at the last minute (when there is probably a bigger problem or more demand). Maintenance agreements can save you 20–40% on common home maintenance services, like cleaning your gutters, getting rid of bugs, taking care of your lawn, or having your windows cleaned.
Keep Your Home in Good Shape
Keeping things clean is always cheaper than cleaning them for the first time. Everyone is aware of that. When money is tight and things are hard, it can be hard to keep your home in good shape, but it’s not impossible. If you have had your gutters cleaned often, it will cost less to clean them all together. It is cheaper to keep your lawn cut short than to let it grow to waist-high and then call someone to cut it.
Ask for Discounts & Credits
Depending on where you live, this may be a little harder to do, but most, if not all, home services can be negotiated in some way. Don’t try to bargain with a service provider about the price, but do ask what you can do to save money. Refer a friend or schedule two cleanings? Simple. Schedule the work to be done when it is easier for the vendor. Do it. And don’t forget to ask if the vendor gives discounts to first responders, veterans, seniors, teachers, or members of an association. Use it if you qualify or are allowed to.
If you belong to a homeowners association, a neighborhood watch group, a garden club, or another local group that might all need the same service, ask the vendor if they can bundle you all together and give everyone a better price. Your employer may also be able to give you discounts on many home services. You must ask!
In conclusion, you don’t have to be a genius to make sure that home maintenance costs, like gutter cleaning, keep up with inflation. To get a discount, you have to plan ahead and look for ways for both you and the vendor to benefit. Things like cleaning the gutters shouldn’t be ignored or put off just because the service costs money. If you do nothing, the cost of fixing the damage that clogged gutters can cause can be much higher than the cost of cleaning them. A cleaning might cost $200, but fixing a roof that leaks because of water damage caused by clogged gutters can cost thousands. So don’t cheat yourself and your family by not cleaning out your gutters. But if you look at our examples and get a little ahead of the game, you will be well on your way to protecting your gutter cleaning costs and other costs from inflation in the coming year.
EC Bergen County Gutters & Power Washing is your best option for fair, up-front prices, guaranteed services, and easy scheduling in Bergen County, and hundreds of other cities across the country. You can get your quote and book your gutter cleaning today by clicking or calling. Save time and stay away from risk. EC Bergen County Gutters & Power Washing can clean your gutters well today.