An often missed factor when considering the fiscal responsibilities of a new home a good practice would be to budget between one and three percent of your home’s purchase price each year to cover typical homeowner maintenance. Whether you are considering renovation, or if your home is in need of repair, it’s best to err on the side of caution and set aside three percent each year. For a $500,000 home, you should set aside $5,000.

This amount will cover regular maintenance and the occasional unfortunate surprise; like when a pipe burst or a broken window happens in the dead of winter. There are problems that could lead to a much higher expense if you are not fiscally prepared for a situation which only gets worse the longer it is not dealt with. While it’s a good idea to have savings to take care of those unexpected problems, you might be able to avoid those issues altogether with maintenance & incidental assistance coverage with a general contracting company.

Yearly inspections, questions about building codes, help planning a project are some of the things you can expect from a relationship with Legacy Builders Rhode Island. We pride ourselves on a ‘safety first” attitude which extends to the care of your property.

Not every year is the same and that extends to the types of inspections and maintenance you should conduct.

Some things a homeowner might need to do in a given year:

Every year
Chimney – Even if you don’t regularly use your fireplace, the chimney still needs a regular checkup. A chimney carries dangerous gases from your fireplace, wood stove, or furnace out of your home, helping to keep the air quality safe and healthy. Your chimney should be inspected annually and cleaned periodically depending on how often you use it.

Plumbing – making sure your pipes are given an inspection by a professional annually can help avoid disaster. An untrained eye can miss signs of leaks or potential mold damage.

Every 2 years
HVAC systems – These systems accumulated dust and dirt may eventually restrict airflow and might even pose a health hazard. A professional to clean the ducts, as well as repair or upgrade them if necessary can save on energy costs.

Termite inspection – An inspection for evidence of termite damage to your home every year is suggested, but a professional inspection every few years can find hidden problems before they become big expensive problems.