Planning is a key part of maintaining your home, although it's a lot harder than creating a grocery budget or setting aside money for car maintenance. Most homeowners aren't familiar with key home components and how often they need to be replaced so we've assembled a list to help you plan (interior replacement timeline).
A good rule of thumb for a home maintenance budget is 1 to 2% of your home's value, depending on how well the house has been maintained. Many expenses occur around 20 years in age, so if you haven't been saving or just bought a 20 year old house, you might need to set aside even more money.
Exterior Home Replacement Items
After safety, keeping your home dry is a top priority. When water penetrates your roof, siding or finds it's way inside your home, chances are the water won't dry. This creates an environment where wood rots and mold grows. Here are the critical components of your home's exterior, the envelope that keeps you and your home dry. Remember that projected life expectancy assumes:
Quality Materials + Quality Installation + Recommended Maintenance
| Home Components (Avg # Yrs) | Recommendations |
Roofing & Gutters
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Siding
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Windows
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Doors
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Decks & Patios
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For a similar table on replacing/upgrading interior home features, click here
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Professional builders also allow their clients to personalize everything. It’s one good service that most people look forward to! As for the quality, you’re right, the company should take care of their clients to keep a good reputation.
Not only should a builder be open to suggestions from the homeowners, they should educate people on the alternatives available. Even the decisions you make for a bathroom can be overwhelming, let alone an entire house which is exactly why this website was created. By bringing the information together, homeowners can more easily learn what’s important to protect their families (safety) and their home (financial investment).