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Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Home Maintenance- Is it Worth It?? 05-05-15

Home Maintenance Costs

Every house needs servicing and sometimes a professional is required so it is important to be aware of home maintenance costs. Many DIY-er's like to tackle tasks by themselves and save money, but work needs to be done correctly to reap the benefits. It can be more costly if work is done and incorrectly and results in the need for additional repairs. If you are unsure, call a professional. Have a separate calendar for house care so you have time to call different companies to find the one that best suites your needs and budget

Home Maintenance Services

There are some tasks that are much more suited for professionals while others are very simple for house owners. For example, changing a furnace filter is well within the capability of anyone interested in maintenance. On the other end, cleaning a chimney requires a set of specific tools and the need to scale the roof. If the task is dangerous and seems too complex, don’t be afraid to call upon help. You best bet is get a pro to help you the first time around and watch the method. Ask the service person questions and try to be involved in the process.Check your local jurisdiction as they may require permits, and ALWAYS find someone licensed AND insured.

Home Maintenance Costs

The big question is how much will all of these service calls cost? Generally speaking, a service call will be a minimum of $50-$85 just for a person to show up. If the task is less than an hour and doesn’t require any additional resources, then you could escape with just the initial fee. If additional time or materials is required the costs can sky rocket.
The recommended budget per year is 1-2% of your home’s value. That would mean $1-2,000 per year on a $100,000 home. It is good to have this budget set aside, but what is really involved in this budget?
Here are some good examples and some estimates:
  • Air Conditioner: $50-150 per condenser/evaporator
  • Furnace: $100-200
  • Chimney Flue Cleaning: $100-200
  • Water Heater Tank Cleaning: $75-150

All in all, remember this: you paid good hard-earned money for your house. You should maintain it to the best of your ability and you will be happy knowing that your house and it's systems will last a long time.


Until next time.....
Mark

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