Homeownership comes with many responsibilities and when it comes to maintenance it is not just about keeping your home looking good, but protecting your investment. But maintenance costs can quickly add up, so how can you lower your maintenance costs?
Regular maintenance is vital to maintaining your home’s value but also greatly contributes to avoiding emergency repairs to important appliances and structures in and around your home. Emergency repairs can quickly add up leaving you with unexpected bills which could set back any other plans you might have had.
Regular maintenance should be a top priority for you to avoid these situations, to take it a step further you can target certain areas of your home to upgrade which will further help you cut down on regular maintenance costs.
Check your roof
The first area you should be targeting for an upgrade is your roof - this will be one of the biggest expenses of your targeted upgrades but it is undoubtedly the most important upgrade.
As the first line of defence from the harsh elements your roof takes a beating and if you haven’t properly maintained your roof, now is the time to do so. Understandably replacing an entire roof is not in everyone’s budget, and we would suggest getting a professional in and assessing your roof’s condition. If you can get away with only doing repairs where they are needed do so - but if your roof is in need of a whole renovation you need to sit down and start crunching the numbers to create a fund for a new roof.
A properly maintained roof is not a yearly expense and keeping it in a good condition will ensure that you don’t need to spend big chunks of your maintenance budget every year.
Don’t forget the floors
Daily wear and tear can quickly take its toll on your floors and if you can upgrade your floors to a more durable option or protect them better, you are ensuring that you save money on maintenance and adding value to your property for when you want to sell.
Here are some of your options:
Solid vs engineered hardwood
One of the most desirable flooring options is genuine hardwood floors, but these options also tend to be the most expensive. The cost of hardwood floorboards differs according to the type and grade of the timber selected. The more affordable way to achieve a similar look as hardwood floors is to go for an engineered hardwood. Simply put, these floors are made of cheaper plywood with just a top layer of hardwood on the surface. The decision between engineered and solid hardwood flooring frequently comes down to personal preference and demands because they both provide homeowners with a comparable return on investment.
Laminate flooring & vinyl planks
You can always choose laminate flooring for your home if investing in genuine hardwood floors is not financially feasible. This type of flooring replicates the charm and classic beauty of real wood at a lower price. Melamine resin and fiberboard are used to create laminate flooring, which makes it a great durable option in rental homes. It is important to note that these floors are not waterproof and should be avoided in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms. Unlike laminate, vinyl planks are waterproof and are comparable to laminate floors in terms of their affordability, durability, and ease of maintenance.
Tiled flooring
Floor tiles are one of the most popular options, widely used in bathrooms and kitchens for their durability and waterproof nature, and of course, they're easy to clean as well – but are prone to chipping or cracking if something heavy is dropped on them.
Carpet
Carpets are good for bedrooms, but they can be challenging to keep clean, especially if you have pets. For many people, there is nothing better than a cozy fitted carpet, especially for a bedroom or lounge. Although carpets have a negative reputation for harbouring dirt, it is always possible to get them professionally cleaned on a regular basis.
Keep the elements at bay
One thing that can skyrocket maintenance costs is the environment seeping into the interior of a home. For instance, water and termite damage are costly repairs that are vital to maintaining a home. The best way to prevent these unnecessary maintenance costs is to replace and fortify all seals, doors, and windows.
Ensure there are no gaps around doors and windows and they all shut and seal properly. If not, choose a durable epoxy or silicone sealant so no weather can be let in. It is important to also check grout lines and seals around tubs, showers and sinks to keep water where it is supposed to be and prevent damage and future repairs.
Check on your insulation as well - not only does this help you keep maintenance costs down, it also helps you save money in the long run as you don’t have to spend more money to your home warm during winter and cool during summer.
Prevention with landscaping
Landscaping can be expensive. Not only do you have the cost of maintaining the landscaping itself for curb appeal, but it can also cause damage to the house. For instance, trees too close to the house can fall and bushes along the foundation can rub over time or even create mold. There are ways to landscape that can reduce maintenance costs.
Consider moving the landscaping a couple of feet from the foundation of the house and trim any trees short that hang over the house. This will prevent the landscaping from causing undue damage to the house itself.
If you are using something like small stones closer to your home or anywhere in the landscaping you need to consider replacement costs when they do wash away or when they fade over time.
Finally, you should look into xeriscaping, which is landscaping that not only uses less water but essentially maintains itself which gets rid of landscape maintenance costs over time.
