The High Cost of Ignoring Home Repairs

First-time homeowners, even when buying a brand new house, are often astonished at just how much maintenance is required. Keeping this in mind, it is important to understand how skipping out on maintenance projects can end up costing you more in the long run.

What Neglecting Home Repair and Maintenance Can Cost You

Over Head – Landscape and Roof Inspection

Roof damage can go undetected for quite some time without consistent assessment. Has a strong storm recently impacted your area? It could have affected the quality of your roof without your knowledge. If problems with the roof covering are not fixed this could lead to leaks and the potential for further damage including things such as rotting wood, ruined insulation, damaged drywall, etc.

Periodically and particularly after violent storms the most prudent thing to do is order a professional roof inspection. An inspection typically costs between $80 and $125. If damage is found the cost could potentially increase. However, the price of failing to identify damage could lead to much higher expenses which may have been preventable if an inspection had been completed.

Tree branches that are broken after a storm need to be removed to ensure the safety of both you and your home. This is usually completed for a cost of around $250. The price may vary depending on the level of intricacy as well as the size and scope of the work that needs to be performed.

These simple and affordable maintenance practices, although a slight inconvenience, are well worth your attention and should not be ignored. Precautionary and preventative measures protect your home. Additionally, it will save you money by preemptively repairing problems that will only get worse and removing hazards that could lead to high-cost emergency repairs.

HVAC and Electrical Issues

According to various reports, there were nearly 64,000 structural fires in the U.S. in 2011. Worse, many of them occurred due to faulty electrical / heating wiring and electrical distribution.

If your HVAC system is over 10 years old, it is essential that you have a professional HVAC system inspection performed. A licensed HVAC inspector will determine which areas are in need of improvement, whether your unit is functioning normally, and if any maintenance is required. They will also provide you with recommendations that have the potential to improve system performance, longevity, and/or safety. These inspections cost in the range of $100, but you can find them for even less! This is much more cost effective than replacing the entire HVAC system prematurely due to failure to maintain the system.

Not performing regular maintenance can lead to several negative outcomes including shortened equipment life, danger of fire, and reduced efficiency. Having regular inspections and maintenance done for your air conditioning and heating units will help you avoid these possibilities as well as reduce electrical and gas bills. If it’s been more than a year since your HVAC system was inspected you should consider calling an inspector. Especially as we head into the summer and you switch on the AC!

Water and Sewage

Appliance failures and broken pipes can lead to thousands of dollars in damage if they are not addressed in a timely fashion. Therefore, if you discover that something is leaking, worn out, or needs replacing the best thing you can do is contact a professional. According to homeadvisor.com the average plumbing repair will cost you around $300, but the cost of ignoring a problem could be far greater. A slow leak will add up in the form of water bills. A leak that dampens wood, drywall, insulation, or pools around your foundation could lead to much higher costs of repairs to damaged home components.

Failure to maintain or quickly repair leaks could easily lead to repair costs in the thousands of dollars if water is allowed to do what it does best… rot, erode, or flood your home.

Nip Small Damages in The Bud with Home, Roof and Termite Inspection

HomeGuard Inc is a Northern California home, roof, and termite inspection company. We also provide NHD reports for home owners and potential buyers to help evaluate a home’s risk of damage due to natural hazards. We can help you save money by identifying necessary repairs early. To prevent a minor nuisance from becoming a major problem, contact us today at  855-331-1900 or contact us online to schedule an inspection.