Home Maintenance List: 6 Expensive Home Repairs You Need To Prepare For

Many people worldwide dream of owning their own home. However, home ownership isn’t straightforward and simple. It’s not just about comfortably affording the mortgage but also being financially prepared for everything else that comes with it. It’s crucial to budget for these costs, ensuring you’re not caught off guard when repairs are needed. A significant consideration in these costs is the upkeep and maintenance of a property. Keeping a home maintenance list will help you budget and not get caught off guard when things go haywire. 

Unlike renting, where your landlord is responsible for certain repairs and aspects of the property, this responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders as a homeowner. This post will delve into some of the more costly aspects of home repairs and maintenance you might face. By understanding these costs, you’ll be well-informed and prepared for what you could come up against once you buy your own home.

Roof Repairs or Replacement Can Get Costly

Roof repairs and replacements can be costly investments. As a homeowner you might need to invest in them during your ownership of the property. A well-installed roof can last from 15 to 50 years, depending on the construction materials and the local environment. However, if you need to replace the roof, this can run into thousands of dollars. Your home maintenance list should include the age and condition of the roof upon moving in.

However, roof repairs are essential as they’re your home’s first line of defense against the elements, and any damage can leave your home at risk of being damaged. The cost of roof repairs and a new roof will vary. The average cost of a new roof is just shy of $10,000, but factors such as the size, the complexity of the roof, the materials you use, and labor can impact the total cost. Talk to your local Roofing Contractors to see your options for roof repairs or total replacement.

Foundation Issues Should NEVER be Ignored

Something that can strike fear in the hearts of homeowners across the country is foundation repairs. Just as important as a good roof, a solid foundation is essential for the structural integrity of your home. A cracked foundation can cause sagging or sinking floors, jammed doors, and more serious issues such as structural instability and water damage. It might be that you need a small repair costing a few hundred dollars, but some structural repairs can cost thousands of dollars, in some cases exceeding $50,000. At the first sign, something is amiss. You need to contact a structural engineer to see what is going on in your home. Keep copious notes of what the engineer tells you in your home maintenance list.

Add Window Replacement to Your Home Maintenance List

Windows can last 15 to 30 years, but the older your windows are, the more likely they will need to be replaced. As a homeowner, you don’t want to live in a drafty house that doesn’t protect you from the elements or increases your energy bills. Being aware of the cost of preparing windows is vital, as is knowing how to preserve their functionality and lifespan. Windows, on average, cna cost $280 per window, with homeowners spending in excess of $5,000 to place all the windows on their property.

Electrical Rewiring May be Necessary

Again, like the windows, old electrics can cause many problems, and when you buy a property, you need to note the age and condition of the electrics on your home maintenance list. Some older systems might not be up to code, and you can run the risk of not gaining insurance until you bring it up to code or having your homeowner’s insurance invalidated due to outdated electrics. Electrical wiring isn’t cheap, but it’s essential as it can pose many issues within the home and be a massive fire hazard.

Understanding whether you need a partial retrofit or complete rewiring is vital prior to moving in or even putting in an offer. Full electrical rewiring jobs can be expensive; if you have a larger property, you might find yourself forking out anywhere from $1,000 to $13,000 or more.

Mold Remediation Helps Keep You Healthy

During a property viewing, be sure to make your home maintenance list. Check for signs of mold, such as a musty smell or visible patches. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to consider the potential cost of mold remediation in your decision-making process. Mold and mildew growth within the property can be massively damaging to the structure and internal elements of the home and to your health, too.

Mold remediation, the process of removing and cleaning up mold from an indoor environment, can be costly, and as a homeowner, learning how to reduce mold build-up in your home is vital to avoid having to pay for professionals to come and rectify the situation. Knowing what to look for when viewing a property can help you avoid being stuck with their expensive problem. Most homeowners spend around $2,5000 on mold removal, but more intensive work can come in at over $10,000.

Include Plumbing on Your Home Maintenance List

Again, like electrical, plumbing might not fully withstand modern usage or households. Leaking plumbing can cause vast amounts of damage around your home and lead to increased repair costs for the damage sustained and for fixing the plumbing itself. Before making a purchase, it’s crucial to have a professional home inspection and make a home maintenance list. This can help identify potential issues with the plumbing system and other areas of the home, allowing you to make an informed decision about the property’s condition and potential repair costs. 

Depending on the damage you’re looking at, it could range from a few hundred dollars to more than $4,000, but it is important to know the condition of the plumbing system, whether you are ready to move in or are considering buying, and how to identify something is wrong with plumbing so you know what you’re going to be living with or have to tackle once you purchase the property.

Conclusion: Home Maintenance List for Repairs

Homeownership can be a fantastic experience for many people. However, finding the right property and ensuring you’re able to maintain it means you need to understand the cost of maintenance repairs and upgrades. Not all homes will require extensive upkeep upon moving in; it might be years down the line.  However, at some point in your journey, this will be something you need to pay out for, and ensuring you can afford it is vital. Keeping track of repairs with a home maintenance list will make it easy to know what has been done and when!