As a homeowner, you need to make sure that your home is in good working condition. This is important because repairs and maintenance costs are often less costly than replacing an entire system or appliance.
Unfortunately, home repair expenses can quickly drain a household budget. Fortunately, with some careful planning and creativity, it is possible to manage home maintenance on a budget without breaking the bank.
1. Set a Budget
Home maintenance costs are often unpredictable, but they don’t have to break your bank. A general rule of thumb is to have between 1% and 4% of your home’s value stashed away for maintenance expenses, according to insurance company Hippo and home services website Angi.
However, keeping track of everything can be challenging. A handy checklist can help you keep track of monthly, seasonal, and annual tasks. Taking care of your systems and appliances regularly will cut down on expensive repairs or replacements down the line. Plus, you can save for the unexpected by getting a home warranty.
2. Create a Checklist
A home maintenance checklist will help you keep up with the small stuff so that major repairs don’t come as a shock. It’s easy to overlook simple tasks like replacing filters or shutting off water spigots before winter, but these jobs can quickly become expensive headaches if ignored.
Whether you prefer to do it digitally or with pen and paper, a checklist is an essential tool for anyone who owns their own home. Check out Canva’s handy templates for daily or situational checklists to keep your to-do list in control.
3. Don’t Forget the Small Things
Small home maintenance tasks may seem minor, but they can prevent major problems that lead to expensive repairs and replacements. For example, ensuring smoke detectors and carbon monoxide sensors are working properly can save lives in case of an emergency. Also, regular checking of gutters and downspouts can keep water from damaging the foundation or causing other damage.
Likewise, keeping a supply of basic supplies, such as paper products, sponges and cleaning wipes can help you avoid running out in the middle of a crisis. By following a routine and doing chores on a monthly, seasonal or annual basis, you can protect your home and your budget.
4. Get Creative
Keeping your home in tip-top shape doesn’t have to break the bank. With thoughtful
planning and clever strategies, it’s entirely possible to manage your maintenance needs without draining your finances.
One of the most effective ways to cut costs on your home maintenance is by taking a DIY approach wherever possible. There are plenty of articles and tutorial videos online that can teach you how to tackle tasks like painting, caulking, mowing the lawn or making simple plumbing fixes.
Another option is to save up monthly and plan ahead for major expenses like replacing appliances, heating and cooling units, or flooring. In the long run, these small investments will pay off in big ways!
5. Don’t Skip the Basics
A home maintenance budget should include money for regular inspections and cleaning. These tasks can help prevent major issues and save money on costly repairs.
It’s also important to know how to do basic maintenance yourself. Having knowledge of how to caulk, paint, clean gutters, and make simple plumbing fixes can save you a lot of money. You can find plenty of helpful tutorials and how-to guides online to learn more about these tasks.
However, it’s always best to leave complex maintenance projects to the professionals. Otherwise, you could end up spending a lot of money or risking your safety.
6. Take Care of Your Appliances
Appliances are a big investment, and they need to be taken care of. Regular maintenance can help them last longer and run more efficiently. In Dallas, appliance repair is common and something occurs quite frequently. This is due to the normal wear and tear of using appliances.
Cleaning appliances can also prevent bacteria, dust and mold from accumulating. It can also help reduce energy consumption. For example, a dirty filter or clogged dryer vent burns more electricity than necessary, which can increase your utility bills.
Not only does appliance maintenance improve longevity, but it can also help you find problems early on before they escalate into major repairs or breakdowns. This can save you a lot of time, money and stress down the road.
7. Don’t Skimp on Quality
Homeownership is a huge investment, so you should always try to keep your maintenance costs as low as possible. However, there are certain items or services that you shouldn’t skimp on.
For example, it’s a good idea to avoid using sub-par cleaning products, as doing so can often end up costing you more in the long run. Similarly, it’s important to invest in high-quality tools and materials.
Preventative maintenance can prevent many expensive and stressful repairs, such as water damage or frozen pipes. Although some tasks may seem trivial, such as
touching up paint or cleaning gutters can cansave lot of money in the long run.
