Flipping houses can be a very profitable business, but it can also get dangerous if the right precautions aren’t taken. When rehabbing properties, falling objects, exposed wiring and heavy appliances all present hazards that can land you in the hospital and put you weeks behind schedule. Here are four ways you can make sure that both you and your real estate investment stay safe and secure all the way up until closing day:
1) Buy a hard hat. Every good real estate flipper knows that their most valuable asset is their brain, so make sure to protect yours when doing construction or remodeling. More than a few flippers owe their lives to protective headwear, and a quality hard hat will stay comfortable and keep you safe for years.
2) Don’t be a strongman. Many of the supplies and appliances required to remodel a home are too heavy or unwieldy to be handled by one person. If you’re having trouble lifting or positioning something, then stop and call for help – otherwise you could end up damaging both yourself and whatever you’re carrying.
3) Make sure the power is off. You’d be surprised by the number of people who forget to shut off their power before messing with their real estate investment’s wiring. Since one shorted fuse or miscut wire could leave your house in flames and put you in the hospital – or worse – make sure that you cut your house’s power at the source before starting a project that involves the electrical system.
4) Don’t know what to do? Then stop. This is hands-down the easiest way to prevent accidents when rehabbing properties. If you’re about to attempt a project that you’ve never done before, realize that a botched job could be dangerous and can cost you thousands in property damage. A better decision is to call in a professional contractor and have them do it for you. Your safety is worth the expense. And besides, there’s no better way to learn than by watching the pros.
It’s not hard to stay safe when rehabbing properties. With just a little thought and some protective headwear, you can keep your health and your home flawless for years to come.
