I understand you apprehension.
My mom is a widow and has been since 1979. My dad died when I was 18 and while my mom is the strongest person I know, she had let dad handle all the finances and decisions. She had a lot to learn and fast.
I made sure as a young adult I made as many decisions and choices as I could for myself, and I have continued that through marriage. I am the one that handles all the finances, makes all the calls and schedules contractors, and while husband is here, I really have to be the voice of reason is deciding who is right for the jobs. I now try to help mom with those things as well.
My advice to you would be don't let cost of a contractor be the deciding point. If you have used people successfully in the past, try to afford to use them again, even if you can only do some things and let less necessary things go till later. You can throw good money after bad, just trying to save a few dollars on contractors and service people.
If you have to look for new service providers, ask around a lot, be sure they not only 'say' they are properly licensed and bonded, and insured and covered by worker's comp, ask for copies of their policies and licenses. I've even gone so far as to make copies of those things, and call the insurance companies to verify they are legit.
If you can have anyone around when service people are coming, it is best to do it. You can maybe even make it look like someone is there with you, like having a pair of men's work books on the front stoop when they arrive, and a tv or radio going in another room and saying you have a daytime sleeper who works nights, so could they please stay clear of such and such back bedroom.
Don't tell contractors who are quoting or working that you are alone. Don't seem confused, but ask lots of questions about their materials, the processes, and the options you might have with the project (there are often several options for something and they can cost quite different). Try to look like you are in control and comfortable with the process, like you have done it a lot. Looking vulnerable, unsure, or overwhelmed will only make the prices increase.
My mom found a plumbing and heating company that has women service people. That might be an option too. Ask around to see if anyone you know has run across a female in the field you know. That might make you feel a little better while they are in the home (as long as they are legit and good at what they do as well as being female!).
Good luck. This will get easier, the more of it you have to do.
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