Services

Home Maintenance

Maintaining Your Home Increases It's Value!

On a national average, homes double in value approximately every ten years. Unfortunately, many homeowners lose much of this appreciation because they do not understand the relevancy of home maintenance to the value of their investment. I help my clients identify and take the steps necessary to keep your home, your investment from losing value. In fact, depending on the market and the extent of your maintenance program and other economic factors, it is more likely that your home value will increase more than the ten-year average.

That is some investment! You get to live your life style, in your home, take tax advantages on your mortgage interest and get a great return on your investment.

Home maintenance should not be confused or compared with home repair. There is a major difference. When home maintenance is not performed, it will lead to the more expensive and demanding repairs and when repairs are ignored that will lead to the even more costly improvement and thus your built in ten-year gains turn to losses.

Home Maintenance begins when you move into your home and ends when you move out. It is simply taking care of your property. It is like changing the oil in your car. If you expect to drive your car without having serious engine problems, you change the engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

There is of course a cost factor. Maintenance is considered an expense. However, unlike the maintenance expense you invest in your ever-depreciating car, your home is always appreciating. Think of your home as a bank savings account. The account (your home) is always accruing interest, as you perform maintenance on your home you are adding to the principle in your account. Therefore, in the end, maintenance is not an expense it is an asset.

Home maintenance can be as simple as washing windows, replacing the furnace filter and mowing the lawn. However, more importantly home maintenance from my stand point starts with the most important issue, to prevent water damage to your home.

Water Damage: A Major Concern

Water damage is the number one reason homes fall into disrepair and it all stems from lack of basic maintenance. Water damage can stem from a number of issues. The simple ones include: the hose on the washing machine bursts, while you are away for the weekend or small insignificant leaks in bathroom and kitchens. The water damage cost can be in the thousands. These inexpensive hoses should be replaced every 5 years. Water damage from shower/tub enclosures is another common issue. Most of the time homeowners know water was leaking on the floor, just a little each time the shower is used. But the continued disregard for correcting the problem, turns into a costly repair. Some will argue that homeowners insurance can cover much of the costs to make repairs. However, there is always a deductible, limits on what is covered and the aggravation of being without the use of the appliance, bath or kitchen and scheduling and waiting for a repairperson. Prevention is so much easier.

The majority of the water problems come from rain and snow that are allowed to enter the home. Gutters that have not been cleared of leaves and debris causing water to back up into the eves and into the walls of the home is a very common home maintenance task that is postponed or ignored. Down spouts that dump hundreds of gallons of water at the foundation wall can cause very expensive damage to the basement walls, floors, footings and more. Leaking flashings around chimneys and other roof penetrations are another major source of problems. Drains around the outside of the home are often blocked with leaves and debris causing water to back up into the basement or crawl space.

Often homeowners are so overwhelmed with water problems that they just do not know what to do and often just give up. This is not necessarily the wisest choice to protect their investment. Sometimes problems are ignored for so long it seems impossible to fix, but often, simple solutions can rectify the situation. I can identify these and many other areas where simple inexpensive procedures can prevent damage, costly repairs and secure your growth in the equity of your home.

Water damage prevention is the primary objective, but I offer much more… and no additional fees. We can discuss utility bill reduction, heating and air-conditioning efficiencies, driveway sealants, deck maintenance, appliance care, septic treatments, electrical issues, floor care, water filters and softeners, lawn, garden and tree care and anything and everything concerning your home.

Hiring A Home Maintenance Professional

Some homeowners are very handy and enjoy doing maintenance around their home. Mowing the lawn can be a great form of exercise. Many homeowners do their own interior painting, some clean gutters and maintain the pool, but the work is not for everybody. I can help you find companies that will perform the services you prefer, not to do. I can write the agreement with each vendor, set the standards and services expected, validate they are insured or licensed, perform interviews, take estimates and then make recommendations on who to use and why. (See Qualified Contracotrs)

Your home maintenance consultation can identify maintenance issues, suggestions on how to amend problems and provide estimates on cost and more. Maintenance schedules can be provided to help you keep track. The depth and breath of the service provided is entirely your choice.

The cost of this service is one of the best values you will ever get. A three to ten hour consultation to review your home, take notes and photos, make recommendations and suggestions, provide a maintenance schedule and written report could cost less than the insurance deductible on one water damage occurrence.

Examples:

One homeowner requested assistance on refinishing his warn and slightly water stained oak floors. He wanted to take on the job himself, but was unsure of what to do. We determined he could handle the job and would save a substantial amount of money doing the work himself. I found a rental company that had the specialty tools he needed and I provided detail instructions on getting the job done correctly. The job actually came out better than hiring a company. Most floor refinishing companies want to get in and out, sand and seal in one day. Applying three coats of oil-based polyurethane to seal and protect the floor finish requires a 24-hour dry time between coats. This would have added substantial cost to have a company return three times, but several companies would not offer that service.

Another homeowner who was wheelchair bound had several issues around his home that needed work. Some missing shingles, leaking faucets, leaking sinks a few minor electrical issues and some door and window hardware needed repair. I made a list called several handy men, asked specific questions and made a recommendation to my client, who could do the job. The work was completed as expected and my client was happy.

Five benefits to hire a maintenance consultant.

Identify defects or deficiencies I inspect all systems and components within your home, and on your property, including landscaping, outbuildings, and recreational facilities. Identify deficiencies, make appropriate recommendations to repair defects and deficiencies, provide estimate life expediencies, provide advice and make recommendations to keep your home in excellent physical and financial condition
Maintenance schedules Customized maintenance procedures for all of your homes needs to fit your life style and budget. The schedule can include basic or detailed instructions, the time of year to perform each function and time or cost estimates.
Approved contractorsA list of pre-approved contractors can be provided for your consideration. These professionals have passed my qualifications (see Qualified Contractors) For those maintenance jobs or duties, you wish not to take on yourself.
Contract negotiating. Assist in the design of maintenance contracts with vendors and contractors.
Follow up. Inspection of any work performed by contractors to ensure it meets expectations and contract stipulations before final payment is made.