Looking to save your home from costly disasters?
It happens to most homeowners. You don’t think about maintenance until something actually breaks. And by that point, it’s already too late Home Maintenance Plan.
The resulting repair bills can come out of nowhere and pile up quickly.
Let’s look at the facts…
Bankrate recently revealed that hidden costs of homeownership are now more than $21,000+. Annual expenses include things like routine maintenance, minor repairs, and major system replacements.
But…
An effective long term maintenance plan cuts those costs way down. Investing a little bit of time into home care avoids small issues turning into serious money pit situations.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why Long Term Maintenance Planning Works
- Which Systems Should You Focus On First?
- How To Create Your Own Annual Home Maintenance Calendar
- Tips for Sticking To Your Home Care Plan
Why Long Term Maintenance Planning Works
Home care should be similar to how you maintain your vehicle.
You change the oil and rotate your tires on schedule. You don’t wait until your engine seizes up to realize you should’ve been maintaining it. Your home is no different.
Most homeowners wait until things break before addressing maintenance.
A leak under the sink becomes water damage under the cabinets. A few missing roof shingles result in an entire roof replacement. Costs can spiral quickly.
Statistics prove this too.
Roof repair and replacement costs increased by almost 30% just since 2022. What happens when you wait even longer?
And roofing isn’t the only place this happens. Every major system in your home can suffer from a “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” mindset. Costs for repairs and replacements continue to climb as we allow them to.
It’s much cheaper (and easier) to stay on top of things.
By taking a long view with home maintenance, you can stop problems before they start. Emergency repairs are never fun or cheap. Avoid them with a little planning.
Not to mention, you’ll have peace of mind that things will be taken care of.
Which Systems Should You Focus On First?
Unless you spend thousands of dollars every year on home improvements, your home doesn’t have equal parts throughout.
Some areas of your home will be more expensive to repair. Others cause more damage when they do break. Focus on these areas when forming your game plan.
Start with your roof.
Do you know what has all of your home’s components? That’s right. The roof!
If your roof fails, water will pour into your home and damage everything in its path. Drywall, insulation, furniture, you name it.
Getting your roof professionally inspected by roof repair services in Olympia can help identify small problems before they become big expenses. Yearly inspections are a small price to pay to avoid having to hire a roofing contractor for a full replacement.
Next, think heating and cooling.
Your HVAC system keeps you comfortable throughout the year. But it doesn’t run itself! Monthly filter changes, annual coil cleaning, and other maintenance tasks keep things running their best.
Finally, water heaters.
With proper maintenance, a water heater can last upwards of 15 years. Flushing out the tank removes built up sediment that decreases efficiency and shortens the lifespan. Water heaters also have something called an anode rod. Checking this every few years prevents tank corrosion and can double the life of your equipment.
A few other items to keep an eye on include:
- Plumbing- leak checks twice per year
- Electrical- test GFCI outlets monthly
- Foundation and drainage- look for cracks after heavy rains
- Gutters and downspouts- clean out twice per year
If these systems are taken care of, you’ll be in good shape.
How To Create Your Own Annual Home Maintenance Calendar
Looking to create a calendar of things to do around your home?
It’s not as tough as you may think. Home maintenance spreadsheets even exist!
Essentially, you want to break down annual tasks by season. That way, each month has several things to do. Don’t feel like you have to do everything at once.
Spring Checkups:
- Inspect roof for winter damage
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Service air conditioning unit
- Check exterior paint/caulking
- Test irrigation system
Summer Home Maintenance:
- Deep clean dryer vents
- Inspect decks/patios
- Check window screens/seals
- Trim trees/backbrush away from home
- Test smoke/CO alarms
Fall Maintenance:
- Service heater
- Clean gutters
- Check weatherstripping on doors
- Drain outdoor faucets/hoses
- Inspect attic insulation
Winter Maintenance:
- Look for ice dams on roof
- Check windows for drafts
- Test sump pump
- Inspect pipe insulation
- Clean range hood filters
Pretty simple stuff, right?
Dividing up your tasks keeps you from getting overwhelmed. Each season only has a couple of things to focus on. Spend some time each month working through your to-do list.
Tips for Sticking To Your Home Care Plan
Coming up with a plan is the easy part.
The hard part is remembering to actually do it. Life happens. You get busy with stuff and suddenly it’s a year later and you don’t feel like you’ve accomplished anything.
Here are a few tips to avoid that…
Set reminders on your calendar.
Use your phone or digital calendar to remind you of each task. Schedule a notification at least a week before the task is due. That way you have time to either schedule a day to do it yourself or find someone to help.
Budget for maintenance each month.
Did you know most experts recommend spending 1% to 4% of your home’s value on maintenance and repairs? Break that number down by month and set that money aside in a savings account. When something does come up, you’ll already have the funds to cover it.
No more panic calling contractors or putting repairs on credit cards.
Know when to call a professional.
Believe it or not, some things shouldn’t be DIY projects. Roof inspections, most electrical work, and HVAC servicing should be done by licensed professionals. Not only is it safer, but most warranties require professional installation.
Build relationships with trusted contractors.
Know who you trust for each system in your home BEFORE an emergency occurs. It’s 10PM on Saturday and your water heater just exploded. Now you’re frantically searching Google for “water heater repair near me” and hoping you can get ahold of someone.
Wrap Up
Maintaining your home really doesn’t have to be that difficult.
It comes down to taking a long term approach. Don’t wait for the next expensive home repair to come along and catch you off guard.
- Make sure to focus on large items like roofing, HVAC, and plumbing
- Create a seasonal home maintenance calendar
- Budget 1% to 4% of your homes value into savings every year
- Document every repair and maintenance inspection
- Build your network of trusted contractors now
Home maintenance is just like anything else. The more effort you put into doing it correctly, the more you’ll benefit from it in return.
Start your home maintenance plan today and enjoy the rewards down the road.
