9 Ways to Save on Repairs and Projects in Switzerland

Whether it is carpeting a floor, unblocking your plumbing, painting a room, replacing a lock, or building custom shelves, improving and repairing your home can be very expensive. Even small jobs like mounting lamps, changing a fuse, or having your sink’s P-trap cleaned out can cost you hundreds of Swiss francs.

Here, moneyland.ch lists tips which can help you radically reduce the cost of home improvements, maintenance, and repairs.

1. Get help from family and friends

Whether you just need a handyman or are looking for a qualified carpenter, painter, or electrician, it is worth approaching your family and friends about it. Chances are that someone in your extended family or circle of friends has the skills you need and is willing to help you out free of charge. Even if not, they may still be able to recommend affordable craftsmen or private handymen. Social media makes throwing out these kinds of requests easy, and minimizes the awkwardness factor.

2. Consider whether the job warrants a professional

Complicated renovations, designs, and repairs are best left to professional craftspeople. But many smaller jobs can be done just as easily by non-professionals – often at a fraction of the cost. Take a moment to consider whether the task really warrants a company’s time.

3. Consider hiring privately

Some trained craftsmen offer their services on a private level. Websites like Lawoon and Relegate let you hire professionals or part-time handymen directly. You can find retired craftsmen looking for odd jobs on Rent a Rentner. If all you need is a handyman, you can find non-professionals offering these services on sharing economy platforms like Knows and classified websites like Anibis.

4. Get multiple quotes

Craftsmen and their companies are free to set their own prices for different jobs. The prices charged by one service provider can be substantially higher or lower than those charged by another company. Getting multiple quotes and comparing the offers can save you a lot of money. Online platforms like Renovero, Hausheld, Offerten, and others make this easier by letting you submit a job once to get multiple quotes from different companies.

5. Get binding quotes in advance

Having contractors do the work first and work out their price later is a recipe for very high bills. Always ask the worker to give you a detailed, binding quote before you agree to hire them for a job. While the final price can differ slightly from the quote (up to 10% is generally acceptable), if the bill is substantially higher than the quote, you can use the binding quote as a basis for arbitration or legal action. 

Serious contractors will be able to accurately estimate the cost of a job, and will give you a binding quote. Avoid hiring workers who only offer non-binding quotes.

6. Find out whether you are responsible for repairs

If you own your property, then you generally have to cover the cost of repairs. But if you rent your home, then whether or not you have to pay for repairs depends on the circumstances:

• If you damage your landlord’s property, you are generally responsible to pay for at least part of the damages. If you have personal liability insurance, then you can claim reimbursement for costs which are covered by your insurance.

• Break-downs (including major plumbing blockages) are generally not your responsibility. You should report these to your landlord or property manager and expect them to organize and pay for the repairs. You can find detailed information about who is responsible for damages to rented homes here.

• Existing damages which you discover and declare as you are moving into a new rental home are not your responsibility. These should be repaired by your landlord or property manager, and are generally billed to the previous tenant.

Many apartment houses and condominiums have a janitor or facility management service. Contacting the janitor is a good first stop, as they can often handle small repairs on a complimentary basis.

7. Make use of your home assistance benefits

Many Swiss household insurance and buildings insurance offers include a benefit called home assistance. This service helps organize emergency locksmith services, and emergency repairs to electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, among other things. 

The insurance pays for emergency repairs when a hazard covered by household insurance occurs. But some things, like unblocking important plumbing or pest removal, may be covered even without a hazard occurring. Costs are covered up to a certain limit (1000 francs, for example).

If you have household insurance, check whether it includes home assistance, and which emergency repairs are covered.

8. Check out time exchanges

While joining Swiss time exchanges is a somewhat exotic option, if you have small projects or repairs, it is worth a try. In a time exchange, you offer your time and skills in exchange for help from other members who have the skills you need.

9. Fish for volunteers

If you have a particularly interesting project, you may find craftsmen or keen amateurs who are willing to volunteer their time to help you out. Sharing economy websites like HelpX, Workaway, and Worldpackers are a good place to connect with people looking for interesting hands-on experiences.

Important note: Make sure that you follow Swiss requirements with regards to work permits and social security contributions for volunteers.

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Damages to rental homes – Who pays for what?
Repairs needed in rental homes: Can you stop paying rent?
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Subletting your rental home in Switzerland: Tips and guidelines
Rental deposit accounts in Switzerland compared
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