Average home maintenance costs
Average home maintenance costs
$4,000 – $22,000 average annual home maintenance cost
How much to budget for home maintenance
Average home maintenance costs range from $4,000 to $22,000 per year. However, the cost of home maintenance depends on the home's age, size, location, features, and condition. Financial experts recommend budgeting 1% to 4% of a home's value each year for maintenance and repairs. Investing in routine maintenance prevents more costly repairs later.
| Home value | Average annual maintenance cost |
|---|---|
| $250,000 | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| $300,000 | $3,000 – $12,000 |
| $350,000 | $3,500 – $14,000 |
| $400,000 | $4,000 – $16,000 |
| $450,000 | $4,500 – $18,000 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| $550,000 | $5,500 – $22,000 |
| $600,000 | $6,000 – $24,000 |
| $700,000 | $7,000 – $28,000 |
Some experts suggest setting aside an additional 1% to 3% for emergency repairs or replacements.
Older homes typically require more maintenance than newer homes with less wear and tear.
Routine house maintenance costs
Beyond obvious tasks like changing AC filters and putting fresh batteries in your smoke detectors, nearly every appliance, surface, and system in your home needs maintenance over time.
The following details about common home maintenance tasks, frequency, and pricing can help you create a home maintenance checklist and a realistic budget for your home's specific features and systems.
HVAC system maintenance
Regular maintenance of your heating and cooling system ensures efficient operation and prolongs the system's lifespan. Maintenance costs include:
| Task | Average cost | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|
| AC tune-up cost | $70 – $200 | 1 to 2 times per year |
| AC coil cleaning cost | $100 – $400 | Annually |
| Dryer vent cleaning cost | $80 – $250 | Annually |
| Furnace cleaning cost | $70 – $300 | Every 1 to 2 years |
| Air duct cleaning cost | $450 – $1,500 | Every 3 to 5 years |
To reduce your annual routine AC maintenance cost, an HVAC maintenance plan costs $120 to $360 per year and typically includes air filter cleaning or replacement, two AC tune-ups, and often additional perks and discounts on parts and repair services.
Appliance repair & maintenance
When budgeting for annual maintenance, consider the age and condition of your current appliances to get a ballpark idea of your potential repair or replacement expenses in the coming year. Most appliances last 10 to 15 years.
The average cost to repair an appliance ranges from $100 to $400 depending on the parts required and the complexity of the repair.
Alternatively, an annual appliance maintenance plan costs $200 to $500 and typically includes cleaning, inspections, and tune-ups.
Outdoor maintenance
Maintaining your home's exterior is essential for keeping up its curb appeal and preventing more costly repairs. The following table details the average cost for several common outdoor maintenance jobs.
| Maintenance task | Average cost (per visit) |
Frequency | Average total cost (per year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping maintenance cost (lawn care, gardening, general yard upkeep) |
$100 – $300 | Monthly | $1,200 – $3,600 |
| Pool maintenance cost | $80 – $150 | Monthly | $960 – $1,800 |
| Gutter cleaning cost | $100 – $250 | Every 4 to 6 months | $200 – $750 |
| Sprinkler system maintenance cost (inspection, cleaning, & tune-up) |
$80 – $180 | Annually | $80 – $180 |
| Deck sealing or staining cost | $450 – $1,000 | Every 2 to 3 years | $230 – $330 |
| Exterior house painting cost | $1,900 – $6,900 | Every 5 to 10 years | $380 – $690 |
If you can handle general yard upkeep yourself, basic lawn mowing costs $50 to $180 per month, offering a more budget-friendly alternative to full-service landscaping maintenance.
Roof repair & maintenance
Your roof is your home's first line of defense against the elements, so proper maintenance is essential. Costs vary depending on the roof material, your location, climate, and surroundings. Minor roof repairs cost $150 to $1,000, while major repairs to fix extensive damage can reach $6,000+.
You can avoid many roof problems with a few simple steps:
Visibly check the roof at least twice per year and after any severe weather. This task costs nothing and could save you thousands by catching damage earlier than later.
Budget $100 to $400 for the cost of a professional roof inspection every 3 to 5 years to assess the entire roof surface, since you typically can't see it all from the ground.
Clean the roof every 1 to 3 years. Professional roof cleaning costs $250 to $600 on average.
While it may seem unnecessary, keeping your roof clean increases its lifespan by preventing dirt, moss, and other debris buildup from damaging the roof over time. This is especially true if the roof is under canopy of trees that frequently drop debris.
House cleaning & interior upkeep
Keeping your home clean and well-maintained not only makes it more comfortable but also extends the life of your interior surfaces and finishes. Professional house cleaning costs $120 to $280 for a basic cleaning visit. If you keep up with routine cleaning DIY, a one-time deep house cleaning costs $230 to $600.
The table below details the cost and recommended frequency of other common interior maintenance items.
| Maintenance task | Average cost | Total cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Every 6 to 12 months | ||
| Chimney sweep cost | $150 – $375 | $150 – $750 |
| Tile and grout cleaning cost | $250 – $700 | $250 – $1,400 |
| Window cleaning cost | $10 – $15 per window $150 – $370 total |
$150 – $740 |
| Every 6 to 18 months* | ||
| Carpet cleaning cost | $40 – $90+ per room $200 – $500 total (3-bedroom house) |
$200 – $1,000 |
*Depending on traffic, children, pets, & allergies
Renting a carpet cleaner costs $30 to $125 per day and can save you money to put towards other home maintenance tasks. However, professional cleaners typically use much more powerful machines. Hiring a pro is best if the carpet is heavily soiled or it's been a while since your last cleaning.
Pest control
Pest control prices range from $300 to $900 per year or $40 to $75 per month on average. Pest infestations can cause major damage to your home and pose significant health risks. Regular pest control services help prevent and eliminate these issues.
Emergency repairs
Unexpected emergencies, such as plumbing issues or electrical problems, can arise at any time. Consider the age of your home and appliances and create a separate emergency repair fund to help lessen the blow of these extra potential costs.
Emergency plumbing costs $120 to $450+ per hour, depending on the day and time you need service.
Hourly rates for an emergency electrician range from $150 to $200 per hour when you need their expertise during non-business hours, weekends, or holidays.
Emergency call-out fees for appliance repair range from $140 to $400.
Emergency roof tarping costs $1.00 to $2.80 per foot installed, plus a potential $100 to $200 call-out fee during non-business hours to prevent a roof leak from causing more damage to your home's interior.
Consider upgrading your smoke detectors to remove the ongoing task of changing the batteries every year (at minimum) to ensure they are operational and keeping you safe. A 10-year sealed battery smoke detector costs $20 to $40 on average when installed DIY.
Factors that affect the cost of home maintenance
The most significant factors that determine the cost of home maintenance include:
Size: A larger home has bigger surfaces to maintain and requires more powerful home systems to function, which cost more to replace when they break or wear out over time.
Location: Homes in wet, humid regions and areas with frequent extreme weather may need more frequent repairs than those in areas with mostly mild or moderate weather.
Age: Older homes typically cost more to maintain as appliances, systems, and structural components are closer to the end of their lifespan.
Lifestyle: In this post-pandemic age, people are spending more time in their homes for both work and recreation, increasing the wear and tear on appliances, surfaces, and home systems.
A home warranty costs $420 to $1,300 per year and covers some common home maintenance and repairs. However, a home warranty alone will not typically cover everything on your maintenance checklist. Read all terms and conditions so you can budget accordingly.
Major repair or replacement costs
In addition to routine maintenance, homeowners should plan for major repairs or replacements that may be necessary as their homes age. Here are some common major expenses, their associated costs, and average lifespans:
| Project | Average replacement cost* | Replacement frequency (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Water heater replacement cost | $600 – $3,100 (tank) $1,400 – $5,600 (tankless) |
8 – 12 (tank) 15 – 20 (tankless) |
| Appliance replacement cost | $350 – $1,700 | 10 – 15 |
| Roof replacement cost | $5,700 – $16,000 (asphalt shingles) |
15 – 20+ |
| Gutter replacement cost | $750 – $2,300 (150 linear feet) |
15 – 30 |
| Window replacement cost | $4,500 – $22,500 (10 – 15 windows) |
15 – 30+ |
| HVAC system replacement cost | $5,000 – $16,000 | 15 – 25 (HVAC) 10 – 20 (ductwork) |
| Exterior siding replacement cost | $10,000 – $32,500 (2,500 SF house) |
20 – 40+ |
*Includes materials and installation labor
A home energy audit costs $200 to $600 on average and can help you pinpoint areas of the home that are wasting the most energy and money. You can then use this information to prioritize when replacing big-ticket items.
Home maintenance FAQs
Is home maintenance tax deductible?
Home maintenance and repairs are not tax deductible unless you use your home for a business, or you rent out part of the home. However, major replacements and home improvements that add value may be tax deductible. Speak to a local tax expert about the options for your specific situation.
Getting estimates for home maintenance service
Follow these guidelines when searching for home maintenance services near you:
Confirm they are licensed and insured in your state.
Confirm they have experience in the specific repair or maintenance job you're hiring them for.
Check out their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose a high-rated company that's been in business for at least 5 years.
Ask for a detailed estimate that includes a breakdown of all material and labor costs.
Ask for a contract and warranty in writing before they start working.
Never pay in full before they complete the work, and never pay in cash.
Questions to ask home maintenance professional
A reputable contractor, handyperson, technician, or any other professional should be able to confidently answer these questions and any other questions you have:
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
How long have you been doing this type of maintenance professionally?
Can you provide references from previous jobs similar to this one?
What do you charge for emergency work outside of normal business hours?
Do you offer an annual maintenance plan, and how much does it cost?
Will you provide a labor or parts warranty, and what does it include?
Are all labor, materials, and cleanup fees included in this estimate?
What other costs may come up after you start working?
How long will the work take?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.