How much does house maintenance cost?

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

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.

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:

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.