Having a home comes with a huge responsibility, which is consistent maintenance. Aside from mortgage and energy bills, you also have to consider saving up for future repairs that can be expensive and eat up a huge chunk of your budget. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your maintenance costs low and keep your property in good shape.
Create a Maintenance Schedule
Setting a schedule is the easiest and most effective way to maintain every part of your home. It helps keep your workload down as long as you regularly keep up with what needs to be done. You can also devote the entire weekend to your home’s upkeep, checking your exterior, heating and cooling, electrical systems, and security. Remember that having a regular maintenance checklist will let you save more in the long run.
It’s recommended to prioritize your home’s exterior as it’s more exposed to harsh elements. Make sure to check your decks, roof shingles, and gutters. To maintain your outdoor deck, look for quality waterproof decking options so that you can have it waterproofed once a year to protect against weather damage and general wear and tear. Also, regularly clean your roof and gutters to make them last longer and detect any damages ahead of time.
For interior maintenance, it’s important to check your ceilings, HVAC systems, plumbing, and appliances. Regular cleaning is one of the most important ways to keep your house clean, so make it a part of your checklist to get the most from your investments and minimize potential problems.
Have a Home Maintenance Fund
Plan for any unexpected home repairs by setting aside enough money to keep your home in good working order. Generally, a home emergency fund should be the equivalent of around 3 to 8 months of your daily expenses. This way, you can be prepared for any major repairs or even accidents that might take place. Here are some benefits of having a home maintenance fund:
- Helps Avoid Major Breakdowns: Having a fund set aside for your home will help you avoid any future breakdowns. For instance, if there’s mold growth in the basement, it could be a sign of a water leak from a burst pipe that needs professional assistance. Your home emergency fund can avoid you getting stuck financing your repair needs.
- Preserves Your Home’s Value: Being able to fix smaller issues immediately and maintaining your home regularly will ensure that your home’s value stays high. If ever you need to resell your home, you won’t need to spend expensive upgrade costs because you’re able to maintain the house’s original state.
- Brings Peace of Mind: Having a substantial home emergency fund will let you relax in your home without worrying about the next AC failure or any structural damage. Remember that it’s important to be prepared for any home repairs that may threaten your family’s security, physical safety, and health.
Hire a Professional
If a certain home maintenance problem requires professional assistance, it’s better to hire an expert for more quality service. Home maintenance experts are a more reliable and safer choice that will save you from paying for low-grade work later on. Keep in mind that a low price is not always the best choice and check your contractor’s credentials before agreeing to a job.
You can find a good handyman or contractor by searching online and looking for good reviews, or via word-of-mouth referrals. When you buy a home, it’s recommended that you gather good contacts and file them away for future reference.
Cut Your Energy Expenses
Maintain proper energy-saving measures to help lower your home maintenance costs. Simply changing your air conditioning filter regularly will save you more money than getting repair services or purchasing a new one. To help you keep up with tasks like this, you can set a calendar alert on your phone every 1 to 3 months, depending on any environmental influences or manufacturer’s recommendations.
Add Insulation
Add insulation to your crawl space, HVAC system, walls, and attic to save more money, increase comfort, and improve the value of your home. It also maintains efficient heating and cooling in your home to prevent costly energy bills.
It takes a lot of responsibility to keep up with routine home maintenance, so it’s important to create a plan on how to protect your assets, keep everything in good condition, and make ways to prevent costly repairs and replacements. Remember that many things in your home have a lifespan and maintenance schedule, so take care of your home to make the most out of it for years to come.
