A quarter of homeowners admit they’re trying to avoid spending money on fixing, servicing or safety checking household appliances or fixtures – until they break entirely and they’re no longer able to use them.
According to a new survey, almost half (45 per cent) say they are more likely to try to find a makeshift solution to a home maintenance issue, rather than call out an expert tradesperson.
The trouble is, leaving things until they get worse can often end up costing far more in the long run. The poll of 2000 homeowners also found a fifth have ignored warning signs in their homes in a bid to save money – but ended up spending an average of $3580 per homeowner on tasks that could have been a lot cheaper if they’d been tackled quickly.
“While the cost of living is understandably top of everyone’s mind, getting a verified tradesperson in to help fix an issue in the home earlier can save people money and hassle further down the line,” says Mike Fairman, CEO of Checkatrade.
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There’s no denying that we’re all feeling the financial strain as bills increase and the cost of living rises. But it’s important to recognise that, much like with your health, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to home repair jobs.
Here are some of the top maintenance jobs that often get put off, and how much they can cost if not tackled sooner rather than later.
1. Leaking toilet
Quick fix: $80-$120
If left: $4500
If your toilet is leaking, you can expect to pay around $80-$120 an hour for a plumber, or $190-$350 for an emergency call out fee plus the cost of repair, says Mr Fairman. “If you don’t repair the toilet straight away, it could cause damage to the flooring and you could end up spending around $1000 for new vinyl flooring,” he adds.
“You might also have to repair the damp ceiling below, which could cost around $300 for a painter and decorator to apply anti-mould/stain paint.” If the leak is major and you need water extracting from your home, it could cost more than $4500, he adds.
2. Clearing gutters
Quick fix: $230
If left: $900-$2800
The average cost for guttering to be cleaned on a medium semi-detached home is around $230, according to Checkatrade. “But if you don’t maintain your guttering and the gutters are blocked, dirty water may overflow down the brickwork or render of the house, which will stain the house,” Mr Fairman explains.
He estimates soft washing (safe removal of organic stains and mildew from outdoor surfaces using a low-pressure washing technique) a house can cost around $900-$2800.
3. Draughtproofing windows and doors
Quick fix: $430 (+ lower bills)
If left: $2000 (+ higher bills)
Draughtproofing windows and doors and blocking up any cracks in floors and skirting boards costs around $430, and it can also save you money every year on energy bills, says Mr Fairman. “But if you don’t draughtproof, you could end up spending more on your energy bills, plus damage repair for damp.” He estimates the average cost of damp proofing a home is around $2000.
4. Loose roof tiles/damage
Quick fix: $570
If left: $14,000-$30,000
“Keeping an eye on your roof is essential,” advises Mr Fairman. “If you spot a loose tile or some damage, we recommend hiring a professional immediately to prevent further issues.”
He says it costs around $570 for a roofer to repair one or two cracked tiles and prevent a leaking roof or water ingress, but warns: “A leaking roof can cause thousands of dollars of damage, for example to loft insulation, rotting timbers and damage to plasterboard on ceilings below.” The cost of a new roof can be huge.
5. Leaking tap
Quick fix: $0
If left: $600-$2800
If a tap is leaking, you can repair it yourself for free, says Mr Fairman, if you’ve got a screwdriver, a spanner and maybe a new ceramic cartridge. But if there’s a serious leak, it could be costly.
6. Leaking water pipe
Quick fix: $620
If left: $620-$2800
Immediate action is needed if you have a leaking or burst pipe, warns Mr Fairman. “The first thing you should do is shut off the water supply. This will prevent flooding and minimise the amount of damage caused,” he says. “Next, you’ll need to call a plumber to assess the damage and provide a cost for repair.”
7. Blocked drains
Quick fix: $15
If left: $450
Minor blocks can be resolved with a sink and drain un-blocker from most supermarkets for around $15, says Mr Fairman. “But some are more stubborn and require specialist care,” he warns. “If left unrepaired, drains can cost more to fix in the long-run, with a high risk of damage to your home as a knock-on effect.”
Do you need to carry out any household repairs? What’s been stopping you? Let us know in the comments section below.
Also read: Household costs that are gobbling up your money
– With PA
Most of those problems would cost a person with half a brain $0 because you can fix them yourself the only one that you might have to call a plumber for is the leaking water pipe.