Spend Now, Save Later: Three Home Essentials It’s Not Worth Scrimping On

Your house is your sanctuary, so it’s only right that you feel comfortable, secure and safe there. Nearly everything you could bring into your house to improve it comes in expensive or cheap versions, so how do you know what will be worth the extra money, and what won’t? To help you decide, we have compiled a guide on the areas of your home that are most worth spending money on.

 Home security

 Statistics obtained by Safewise suggest that homes without a security alarm system are 300% more likely to be broken into; recent figures have also shown that only 10% of burglaries in the UK over the last six years were solved. In the face of statistics like these, you can’t afford not to invest in a high-end security system for your home.

While you may want to spend less on a burglar alarm system, you are more likely to have to call out (and shell out) for repeated repair work. Professional security companies often note that those looking for a cheap home security system may also incur higher insurance premiums, as insurers often offer reduced fees for more secure houses. The lower level of protection follows naturally from the lower price point, with cheaper systems more prone to false alarms, and more likely to be foiled by intruders.

So while spending less on the alarm system may be tempting, it will ultimately cost you more to maintain a cheap security system.

Home Repairs

 Sometimes doing it yourself isn’t the best option. DIY can sometimes be very costly, or even put you in harm’s way. For example, you may be able to do minor electrical work, like installing new light fixtures or replacing fuses. But when it comes to replacing circuit breakers or adding new wiring, it is not so easy. Wires could heat up and cause a short circuit, which could then lead to an electrical fire.

These fires are not only destructive and dangerous, but many insurance companies will not be willing to cover fire damage caused by faulty wiring. For your own safety, it is best you call a certified electrical engineer to help fix major electrical problems.

Similar to electrical repairs, fixing gas appliances yourself can exact incur hefty costs or can even be fatal, if you’re not careful. You may think that you are taking all precautions by turning off the gas and carefully managing a repair on your own, but it’s possible for a gas leak to develop into the much bigger danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. If any gas appliances need fixing, such as boilers, gas furnaces, or ovens, call a Gas Safe engineer.

If there are any issues with plumbing or drainage in your house, there are some things you can do on your own: fixing a leaky sink or changing a showerhead, for example. However, most of the plumbing in a house is out of sight, which makes it more difficult to notice small problems before they become bigger. Water damage can be particularly expensive, so it is important you use quality parts and hire a plumber if necessary.

 Home furnishings

 You may have exhausted your excitement unpacking boxes and decorating your home, but once you’ve finished making your house look the way you want it to, you’ll likely need a bite to eat and a comfy bed to rest your head on.

According to research, each person in the UK opens the fridge 98 times each week. Refrigerators are also known to use up a lot of the household electricity as they are one of the only appliances that are left on all day, all night, 365 days a year. If you invest in an energy-efficient fridge, it may cost more money at the point of purchase, but you could save up to £85 a year.

It is cliched wisdom that we spend over a quarter of our lives in bed, and after a hard day’s work, the last thing you want is an uncomfortable, unsupportive mattress which could lead to back problems. Investing in a top quality mattress will not only improve the quality of your sleep, making you more productive when you are awake, but also help you avoid unnecessary health issues.