A few hundred dollars spent on home maintenance today could save you tens of thousands of dollars in future repair and replacement costs.
You can avoid a huge bill later on by staying on top of your basic upkeep, like trimming trees and checking your roof for damage. And if you’re willing to pay more, choosing high-quality professionals can help prevent shoddy work that could cost you much more in the long run.
Saves You Time
Many people neglect their homes, yet doing so might be one of the finest ways to save time and money. Maintaining your home regularly enables you to remain on top of tasks like cleaning and replacing your air filter and giving your furnace a good cleaning.
It also reduces the wear and tear that can happen to things like your furnace, air conditioner, or refrigerator. It can lead to a cheaper repair than it would cost to replace them.
According to experts, you should budget 1% to 4% of your home’s value for upkeep and repairs yearly. If you are selling your home in the future, that can increase your chances of getting a higher price for your property.
To determine your annual maintenance budget, you should consider the climate you live in. If you live in an environment with extreme winters and high humidity, your home is more likely to need repairs than homes in milder regions.
Saves You Money
Taking care of basic home maintenance tasks like changing the furnace filter can save you from big-ticket repair bills. It is especially true for homes that have been neglected for a long time.
As the adage goes, prevention is always preferable to treatment. Routine home maintenance Helena MT allows you to avoid paying thousands of dollars in repairs by identifying and resolving minor problems before they become more serious.
Another way to prevent repairs from sapping your budget is to set aside money for them. Some experts recommend putting away 1% to 2% of the purchase price of your home every year for routine maintenance costs.
These amounts vary depending on the age of your home, the area you live in, and the general cost of living. Consider the weather in your area, which can take a toll on your home and appliances.
Makes Your Home Look Better
A well-maintained home looks better and carries more weight in the real estate market. It also evokes a more positive emotional response from homeowners and their guests, which is the reason most homebuyers look to a property’s condition as a factor when determining whether to invest in it.
As a result, your home’s value will continue to appreciate as long as you are diligent about its upkeep. That’s not to say you won’t have any home maintenance bills, but you can budget accordingly, and your yearly outlay will be more predictable as time goes on.
The best part about having a well-maintained home is that it will be a safe and enjoyable place for you, your family, and your friends to live in. It will also help you sell or rent your home when the time comes for a move. In short, regular home maintenance can save you a fortune and prove to be a smart move for any homeowner.
Prevents Damage
While spending your time and money on it may seem more fun, regular home maintenance can save you thousands in future repairs and replacements. That’s because when you don’t do routine home maintenance, minor problems grow more significant (like a burst pipe).
Your Money: The missing manual points out that for every dollar spent on preventative maintenance, homeowners save about $100 in repairs and replacements in the long run. And that number increases significantly as homes get older.
For example, keeping a home’s interior clean means less wood rot and mold. Replacing a furnace filter regularly also helps a furnace last longer.
Investing in regular home maintenance also gives you peace of mind, knowing that your house is in tip-top shape. And as we mentioned above, it can boost your resale value when you decide to sell.
