Most homeowners are always short on time. Between working a full-time job, taking care of personal matters, and managing the household, it can be hard to find even an hour to yourself, let alone time to keep up with home maintenance tasks. However, neglecting your home maintenance duties can have serious consequences, like expensive repairs or even health hazards.
Know that there are ways you can stay on top of home maintenance without neglecting the rest of your responsibilities. Here are five easy tips that can help.
1. Make a Schedule and Stick to It
Just like you would schedule a meeting or doctor’s appointment, put home maintenance tasks into your calendar. This will help you make time for them and ensure you won’t miss any scheduled maintenance and repair.
Start with the most important tasks you need to do regularly, like changing air filters or checking the smoke detectors, and schedule those first. Then, add in other tasks like deep cleaning the oven or power washing the exterior of your home as you have time.
If you have a larger home maintenance project, like painting the exterior of your home, break it down into smaller tasks and spread them out over a few weeks or months. You won’t have to dedicate an entire weekend to the project and can still get other things done.
2. Set Up a Home Maintenance Fund
Sometimes, home maintenance can be costly. This is especially true if you allow minor problems to turn into big ones by neglecting them. To avoid this, set up a home maintenance fund you can use to pay for repairs or replacements as needed.
Think about how much you can realistically set aside each month and make sure to add it to your budget. If you can, set aside at least 1%-3% of your home’s purchase price for maintenance and repairs each year. So, if your home is worth $325,000, you should have at least $3,250 set aside each year.
If you can’t afford to set up a home maintenance fund right away, start small and gradually increase the amount you’re setting aside each month until you reach your goal. When something comes up, you’ll have the money readily available to take care of it without having to put it on a credit card or dip into your savings. You can also use your home maintenance fund to pay for preventative measures, like gutter guards or a water filtration system, which can save you money in the long run.
3. Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
Usually, you will find red flags showing up before something breaks or needs a replacement. If you notice a problem, don’t ignore it! The sooner you take care of the issue, the less expensive it will be.
For example, if you start hearing strange noises from your furnace, don’t wait until it stops working to call a repairman. You might just need to replace a small part, but if you wait too long, the entire furnace might need replacement which will be much more expensive.
Similarly, if you notice a crack in your foundation or peeling paint on the exterior of your home, don’t wait to take care of it. These problems will only worsen over time and can cost you a lot of money to repair. Keep an eye out for red flags and take care of problems as soon as possible to avoid more expensive repairs down the road.
4. Hire the Pros To Do Handle Maintenance Tasks for You
Some home maintenance tasks are too big or complex for the average person to handle. There are also times when your hectic schedule won’t allow you to take care of everything alone. In these cases, it’s best to hire a professional. This will enable you to enjoy what’s left of your time to spend quality time with your loved ones.
Some examples of tasks you should leave to the pros include:
- Electrical work
- Plumbing repairs
- Roof repairs or replacement
- HVAC repairs or replacement
- Pest control
You can also hire the pros to restore or upgrade your landscape. Remember that landscaping is crucial to your home’s curb appeal. If you don’t have time to take care of it or just don’t know where to start, consider hiring a landscaper to do it for you.
A good landscaper can help you choose the right plants and materials, design a layout that fits your needs, and provide ongoing maintenance to keep your landscaping looking its best. This is a great way to ensure your home always looks its best without you having to lift a finger. Just make sure you find a reputable landscaping company who have experienced experts on staff.
5. Get Everyone Involved in Home Maintenance
If you have kids, get them involved in home maintenance tasks. This is a great way to teach them responsibility and help them understand how to care for a home. Just make sure you give them age-appropriate tasks to avoid any accidents.
For instance, younger kids can help with tasks like sweeping the floors or dusting furniture, while older adults can help with simple repairs or painting. The trick is to find tasks that they can do safely and that they will enjoy doing. That way, they’ll be more likely to help out around the house, and you won’t have to do everything yourself.
Taking care of your home doesn’t have to be a chore. By following these tips, you can make it fun and easy while saving money at the same time. This shows that even with your busy schedule, you can still keep your home in tip-top shape without breaking the bank.
