Buying and maintaining a home can be a very difficult task, especially if some of these high ticket items go wrong. Here’s the top issues to look for and how to avoid them if you are a current homeowner.
Here are the top 10 most expensive home repairs:
1. Foundation Repair
Changes to the soil during rain and drought put your home at risk for foundation repair. Texas homes are notorious for foundation issues.
First Signs:
- Doors and windows that don’t really fit their frames
- Cracks showing up or around the house
- Sinking Floors
- Water entering your home from the floors
Repair Costs:
National Average Cost: $4,511
National Average Cost Per Pier: $250
Maximum Cost: $15,000
Minimum Cost: $620
Average Range: $2,318 to $6,750
Here are some tips for avoiding long term foundation cracking and sinking.
- Timed Sprinkler & Foundation Watering Systems
- Drain Water Away From The House
- Implement Proper Grading
- Plant Tree & Shrub Roots Far From Your Home
- Maintain Moisture Levels
2. Roof Repair
Your roof is the most important part of your house for protecting everything else in it from the elements. When it needs repair, it’s important to do it fast.
Cost: Average of $650 for a partial repair or $6,000 for roof replacement
Signs of a Problem:
- Leaks
- Missing shingles
Preventative Measures:
- Hire professionals to inspect your roof periodically (10 years after installation, and every 3-5 years after).
- Look over the roof yourself in between inspections to identify weak spots or minor repairs you can address.
3. Repair or Replace Water Heater
The water heater is something we all depend on every day without thinking too much about it, but water heater problems can lead to flooding and even more expensive problems.
Cost: Average of $523 to repair, and $1000 to replace.
Signs of a Problem:
- It makes loud or unusual noises
- It leaks (particularly if it’s rust-colored water)
Preventative Measures and Maintenance:
- Check the pressure valve periodically
- Flush the tank once a year
4. Termite Damage
Bugs in your home are an inconvenience at the very least, but one type causes far more trouble than any of the others. If you’re unlucky enough to deal with termites, it’s important to treat the problem – and treat it fast.
Cost: Treatment costs an average of $541, but damage caused by termites averages $7,229
Signs of a Problem:
- Swarms of small flying bugs, or bug wings in the basement
- Hollowed out wood
- Mud tunnels about the width of a pencil leading up to your exterior walls
Preventative Measures and Maintenance:
- Install termite monitors
- Keep wood and mulch away from the outside of your house
- Have your home inspected for termites once a year
5. Water Damage
Water can rot wood, cause mold growth, and make metals rust. Whether due to flooding, a leak, or damage that happens little by little, water is one of the biggest culprits in costly home repairs.
Cost: Average of $2,330
Signs of a Problem:
- Leaks
- A musty smell
- Fuzzy discolorations in the walls or ceilings (mold or mildew)
- Peeling paint
Preventative Measures and Maintenance:
- Clean your gutters
- Fix leaks in roof or pipes right away
- Test your sump pump once a year
6. Repair or Install New Pipes
Plumbing issues are another potentially enormous expense, as they’re generally located in spots that are hard to get to (underground and inside walls).
Cost: Repair for a sewer line averages $2,443, for a drain pipe it’s $559, and installing new pipes averages $1,054
Signs of a Problem:
- Discoloration or flaking in exposed pipes
- Leaks
- Rusty water
Preventative Measures and Maintenance:
- Avoid using chemical products to unclog drains
- Insulate your pipes during the winter
- Hire a plumber to clean out your sewage pipes every few years
7. Heating/AC Repair
Not only are AC and heating repairs expensive, the systems inevitably seem to break at the time of year you need them most (because it’s when they’re working the hardest). You won’t want to wait on getting them fixed.
Cost: Average of $372 for AC, $288 for furnace
Signs of a Problem:
- It’s not cooling or heating (ugh)
- The unit’s leaking or making strange noises
Preventative Measures and Maintenance:
- Hire a professional to perform yearly maintenance
- Replace your air filters every 3 months
8. Mold Removal
Mold in your home can cause a number of health issues, particularly for anyone with allergies. Even if you’re not allergic to mold itself, it can have a serious effect on your home’s resale value.
Cost: Average of $2,155
Signs of a Problem:
- Musty odor
- Discoloration in the walls or ceilings
- Allergy symptoms
Preventative Measures and Maintenance:
- Take care of leaks right away
- Inspect your home periodically for signs of mold
9. Electrical Issues
Similar to dealing with plumbing problems, it’s not easy (or safe) for the average homeowner to access or attempt to fix electrical issues because the wiring is located within walls. But if electrical issues go unfixed, you face a risk of fire – not to mention the inconvenience of your electricity not working.
Cost: Average of $318 for repairs, but up to $15,000 for rewiring
Signs of a Problem:
- Circuit breakers trip regularly
- Appliances shock you
- Flickering lights
Preventative Measures and Maintenance:
- Have a professional inspect your electrical system annually, or anytime you suspect issues.
10. Septic System Repair
A septic tank not working properly can be a big, messy problem (ew). It’s not one you’ll be able to (or want to) put off fixing.
Cost: Average of $1,488
Signs of a problem:
- Toilets won’t flush
- Slow drains
- Standing, smelly water in your yard
Preventative Measures and Maintenance:
- Hire a professional to inspect it every 3 years
- Have it pumped every 3-5 years
An Ounce of Prevention…
… is always the best medicine. You can avoid a lot of the most costly home repairs by doing your due diligence with preventative maintenance. But even if you do your best to stay on top of how everything works in your home, you may still find yourself stuck with a big, expensive repair to deal with.
When that happens, make your first call your home insurance company. What they’ll cover and how much of it they’ll cover will vary based on the repair and your policy, but in many cases, you won’t be stuck paying for the whole thing yourself as long as you make sure to check in with them first.
Collect Insurance And Sell Your Home
If it’s that time, you could always collect insurance for the damage on the home, then sell your home AS-IS for cash. The new cash owner will be capable of spending some money on the home as an investment, and you get paid immediately with no headache.