How much does house maintenance cost?

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Price guide

$4,900 - $12,000

low

$4,900

median

$9,200

high

$12,000

Low, median and high bar chart distribuiton

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If you recently inherited a property or just bought a new house, maintenance is a new part of your annual budget. On average, home maintenance costs 1% to 4% of your home value per year. Depending on your home's age, size, condition, and location, it could be higher or lower.

You might have to spend much when maintaining, repairing, or renovating your house, especially if you need a long-overdue fix for the foundation or roofing. Avoid surprise budget and home repair costs with this comprehensive price guide.

House maintenance price list

House age

House maintenance costs

Less than 10 years

1% of home value

10 to 20 years

2% of home value

20 to 30 years

3% of home value

More than 30 years

4% of home value

a woman cleaning a home radiator beside a cat

Factors affecting how much it costs to maintain a house

If you want to compute the average cost of home maintenance, consider the following things:


House age

The age of the house affects the home maintenance budget. Properties that have been around for more than 30 years need more repair and maintenance than those built less than 10 years ago.


Your location

When it comes to upkeep prices, they also reflect your location. Houses in areas with high humidity need a bigger budget for pest control and mould and mildew control. Households exposed to severe weather conditions, like heavy snow and continuous rainfall, need to prepare for potential repairs and more frequent cleanup projects.


Your climate

The cost of living is another important factor when talking about the average cost of home maintenance. If you live in a dry and less humid state within a big city, the operating expenses and taxes will be higher. Hence, services will be pricier than in other states. Saving unused materials will be helpful for future projects.


House size

The average cost of home maintenance for a condo is lower than for a mansion. The bigger the house, the more resources you need. More spaces will need cleaning, pest control, and repairs. Hence, your average homeowner maintenance costs will be higher.


House condition

Upon purchase, the house's condition will determine upkeep prices and average home repair costs per year. If you delay indoor cleaning, lawn mowing, and gutter cleaning for years, expect higher home maintenance costs in the future. Hiring a professional for housekeeping might help keep your home clean if you live with a big family.

Computing house maintenance costs

Each house differs in size, material, built, and condition. Because of the complexity, it's challenging to put an exact number on house maintenance costs or how much to save for repairs. Here are several methods for estimating the cost of upkeep every year.


The 1% to 4% method

While final pricing will still depend on materials and the house location, the general rule of thumb is to set aside 1% of the value of homes less than 10 years old. For houses that have been around for more than 30 years, 4% of their value is the suggested budget for home maintenance.


The square footage method

You can compute maintenance costs by referring to the square footage of the house. Each square foot equals $1, depending on the labour and materials. The bigger the square footage, the higher your annual house maintenance budget should be. However, this doesn't consider the age and condition of the house.


The 5x rule

When estimating house maintenance costs for a rental, the 5x rule comes in handy. To get total maintenance costs for an entire year, multiply your monthly rent by 1.5. So for a property with a monthly rent of $3,000, the annual maintenance cost is around $4,500.


Ask around

Apart from the 1% to 4% and the square footage method, one of the easiest ways of estimating costs is to ask the previous owner. If they're unavailable, also have a quick chat with your neighbours.a woman vacuuming the floor of a home

Routine house maintenance

Doing general house maintenance is vital to preserve the value of your home and avoid more costly repairs in the future. Prioritise the following tasks:


House maintenance task

Frequency

Cleaning the house (rooms, kitchen, appliances, floors, bathroom, etc.)

Weekly

Cleaning the vents and gutters

Twice a year

Trimming trees and shrubs

If needed

Checking signs of leakage or clogs

Regularly

Pest control

Regularly

Mould and mildew treatment

If needed

Changing aircon and heating filters

Every three months

Treating grass

Five to six times a year

Mowing the lawn

Once or twice a week

Power washing the patio and deck

Once a year

Inspecting the roof

Once a year

Inspecting the foundation of the house

Regularly

Basic appliance repairs

If needed

Exterior painting

Every five to 10 years

Septic system pumping

Every three to five years


If you recently bought a lot and need help building a home, a residential architect can bring your vision to life.

Posting a house maintenance task

Maintaining or cleaning a house can be pretty stressful. Whether you need help with regular cleaning or want to redesign your space with an interior architect, Airtasker is here to help!

Simply explain your needs and post a listing. Here are some details you can include in the post:


  • Your budget
  • Your location
  • Your preferred schedule
  • Your previous house maintenance service


The more details you include, the better. Once the listing is up, you’ll receive offers from different specialists. Take time to review them. Once you've picked a Tasker, they’ll start the work of keeping your house clean and pest-free.

Find general maintenance contractors, fast

Post a task

FAQs

Damage and costly repairs might await your home if you delay essential house maintenance tasks. These include cleaning vents and gutters, changing air-conditioning and heating filters, and performing pest control.

Maintaining a clean home can be challenging, especially for busy households. It helps to keep a daily or weekly cleaning plan. A couple of minutes of tidying and dusting after work can go a long way. You can also clean one room at a time instead of doing everything all at once.

Aside from house maintenance, you should consider association fees, property taxes, and insurance. Make sure to align them with your broker or the previous owner to avoid future surprises.

Home maintenance can be costly. Having a monthly budget can lessen the load of annual upkeep. Simply saving 0.10% of your home value each month can help you get ahead of potential repairs.

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