I have been a single woman for several years now, and I have found good ways to get work done around the house, without spending a lot of money. The best suggestion that I can give any single woman is to pray before you start any project around the house, because God will give you inside information that you will never think of or imagine.
 

Once I needed my air conditioning changed. So I started getting bids from companies in the $2000 plus range, but my budget only allowed for $900.00. After praying, I felt in my spirit that all I needed was someone take out the old unit and install the new unit. First, I began searching the web to look for someone just to do what I really needed. I came across this website called Service Magic (www.servicemagic.com)  to search for a plumber or heat/air condition company. After filling out their online form, in the note area I put in my search request that I only was looking for someone to take out the old unit and install a new unit. Service Magic sent me a list of contractors in my area to choose from. I enjoyed the rating system they offered, which allowed you some insight into the company or handyman you were trying to choose.
 

Secondly, I looked in the phone book for heating/air conditioning supply stores and asked them a lot of questions concerning the type of air conditioning unit I currently had and asked for advice on what was new on the market that would benefit my situation. I explained that I was looking for a air conditioning unit that would fit the square footage of my house. I was told that my house only needed a 3 ton unit. At that point, I called around for the best price I could find for that size unit. I found a supply store in Homewood, IL that would deliver the unit to my home for free. The unit only cost me $550.00. I called and set-up an appointment for the plumber to come out the same day the unit was being delivered to my house. The plumbers fee was $200.00, which was to take out the old unit and install the new one. I saved $50.00 on my budget cost because since I was an electrician, I was able to wire up the unit myself.  However in a single woman’s case, she could find an electrician the same way she would find the plumber.

Now that home improvement is a booming business, there are handyman sites online that you can use to request help with one aspect of a project. Also, Home Depot and Menards has a section in their “Contractor” department where they allow local companies and handymen (and women) to leave their business card for contracting their services. There are many ways to save money, but the biggest way to save is to look to your Savior.

Posted under Simple Home Maintenance