How much do you spend a year on up-keep?

[bicker]

Averaged out over the years, I would say under $1000/year.

Sounds like you're not typical though.

Fixing a broken faucet is pretty easy, buy a new one and install. Costs less then $300.

Uh, if I "fix" a broken faucet, it ends up cost well over $300... the $25-$30 for the expenses associated with my attempt, and then the $500 in damage I do to things. And then we still need to pay someone the $300 to fix the faucet correctly.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm trying to confront the contention that we're already spending a lot of money on up-keep. As it is, just with what we're spending, we apparently still can't "afford" to do what's necessary to prevent ice dams. Between the fact that we've got guys in the business on the board, and the fact that I trust the accountant watching over the money implicitly, I know the money is being spent well. But it still isn't enough? If that's not it, what's the fourth possibility?

Thanks. I was curious.
So is the association responsible for things like indoor plumbing (I did not gather that from the initial question as part of what you were looking for)? I have not seen that before. That would add some, though I suspect (much like golfgirl) that you will find MANY of us do the work ourselves. I have never called a plumber in my life--we just handle things like leaky/broken faucets, new sinks or even new bathtubs on our own. Same with most other minor issues. I think most homeowners who are not part of an association which covers all of this stuff will be similar.

Other factors--does the association maintain large common areas of grass/flowers/etc? Are they responsible for road maintainence on interior roads in the subdivision? Plowing? Etc.? These are the kinds of fees many homeowners might not have but your group might which could change the numbers.

 

[PatsGirl]

A quick estimate for me would be $2800-3000/year on a 1200 square foot house sitting on one acre of land. I only know this because I choose not to budget the expenses monthly but instead make a list throughout the year of what needs to be done and schedule it to be paid with my tax return with large improvements every other year.

I pay nothing for snow removal (unless we get a whopper of a storm and then about $150 but that's once every five years or so) and about $400 on lawn maintenance materials ($100), spring cleanup ($250) and flowers/bulbs ($50), etc. I have my oil burner ($100) and well pump/filter ($100) maintained each year. I buy a new gas grill and deck furniture about every five years ($500 or $100/year). I also have the septic pumped every five years ($300 or $60/year). The one thing I need to do but never seem to find the $$ for is having my driveway sealed

Every other year I have a major project completed for around $3500-$5000 (average $2100/year) ~ examples:

2010: New slider and exterior paint with minor repairs to siding $3600

2008: New roof $5000

2006: Replaced several windows and front door, refinished very large deck, changed some plumbing from copper to a different material (PVC?) $3000

2004: Refinanced mortgage and added a dormer with office, master bedroom and bath and laundry ~ cash outside of refinance $ was spent on new appliances throughout the house, and replaced 16X20 carpeting with laminate and linoleum 16X20 +- with tile $6000

 

[golfgal]

I'm trying to confront the contention that we're already spending a lot of money on up-keep. As it is, just with what we're spending, we apparently still can't "afford" to do what's necessary to prevent ice dams. Between the fact that we've got guys in the business on the board, and the fact that I trust the accountant watching over the money implicitly, I know the money is being spent well. But it still isn't enough? If that's not it, what's the fourth possibility?

Ok, condo board-are you talking upkeep for a condo association total or what is the situation?

It is really hard to "prevent" ice dams and this year has been especially bad across the country because of the combination of high snowfall totals and the warm/cold/warm/cold temps.

We just added some insulation to our rental property to help with ice dams-$500.

I guess we need more details about what you are doing and to how many buildings to give a 4th possibility.

 

[bicker]

So is the association responsible for things like indoor plumbing (I did not gather that from the initial question as part of what you were looking for)?

It isn't, and they're not. It is just the only example I could come up with, because it is something that I have to deal with. I don't have ready-knowledge of how much it costs for the things the condo handles - that's why I'm asking about those things.

Other factors--does the association maintain large common areas of grass/flowers/etc?

Small area.

Are they responsible for road maintainence on interior roads in the subdivision?

Yeah, but it's basically a glorified driveway, much smaller than the drive that you described.

Plowing? Etc.? These are the kinds of fees many homeowners might not have but your group might which could change the numbers.

True, but in the minds of unit owners who would object to paying more, it is supposed to even-out.

 

[bicker]

<snip>

Wow... lots of detail here. Especially with regard to the special projects you take on every couple of years... Thanks!!!

 

[bicker]

It is really hard to "prevent" ice dams and this year has been especially bad across the country because of the combination of high snowfall totals and the warm/cold/warm/cold temps.

My wife categorically rejects that assertion.

I guess we need more details about what you are doing and to how many buildings to give a 4th possibility.

I think it is a pretty safe assumption that we're only doing normal things. Nothing really stands out, other than what has been mentioned already.

 

[golfgal]

My wife categorically rejects that assertion.

I think it is a pretty safe assumption that we're only doing normal things. Nothing really stands out, other than what has been mentioned already.

Do you have a regular single family home or are you in a condo though? You keep talking about a condo board and what they are doing for upkeep, people doing free work, etc.

What does your wife think you can do to prevent ice dams? Sure, you can put on electric cables, etc. but then you add more to your monthly bills. The best prevention is a $35 roof rake and a little time to clear the bottom 2 feet of snow off your roof.

I guess I am having a hard time figuring out what you can be spending $3500/year on.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

For my prior home that we still own but no longer occuPy:

The roof was replaced in 1999 for $5K, the interior was paint for about $3Oo in materials, the kitchen was "redone" with new layout, but using old cabinets and just adding new ones plus electrical and entrance movement for about $5k, after pool was installed, we have spent about $500 in it's lifetime for repairs/filter replacemen here and there. We are on our 3rd pool vacuum for $300. We now pay $61 per month on pool service. We rePlaced A/C with properly sized but "macdaddy" a/c for $10K in 2007. We have had it serviced since for about $300 in it's lifetime (most of that recently after a foolisig decision to get the ductwork "cleaned". And just under a year ago, we spent $23,000 on new impact, insulated, tinted windows, new doors for all entry points, and new stucco. Also at some point we replaced the water heater for about $700, the garbage disposal for about $150, and have had various plumbing repairs for maybe about $2000 over the time we have owned the home. Then there was the $80/month for getting he grass cut.


Roughly---about 4000/yr if it were all averaged out and I know I left a lot out. I had read that one should plan a certain percentage of the home's value on maintenance. But like groceries, what I or others spend is useless in helping you determine what your property will require as homes are made of various materials and in areas of different climates and codes. I'm sure wher you are located, you do not need "impact" windows or hurricane shutters for regular windows when you replace more than a certain percent of your windows in one year. My windows alone were $8000 or so, and I didn't have that many (1 picture window replaced with three windows, 2 bath, 1 kitchen and 8 bedroom windows (many double and one triple width).

It is a 1963 ranch home in a hurricane area. It is concrete block.

All this doesn't mount a hill of beans as all homes and needs are different.

 

[bicker]

Do you have a regular single family home or are you in a condo though?

It's all townhouses.

What does your wife think you can do to prevent ice dams?

I don't think she necessarily feels it is her responsibility to come up with the answers.

Sure, you can put on electric cables, etc. but then you add more to your monthly bills.

I doubt she'd be averse to that.

The best prevention is a $35 roof rake and a little time to clear the bottom 2 feet of snow off your roof.

I think we've got some problem spots which a rake can't reach (obstructions in the way). Regardless, having the snow removal folks doing that is probably exceedingly expensive, because of the danger and liability involved. However, again, I doubt my wife would be averse to that extra cost.

I guess I am having a hard time figuring out what you can be spending $3500/year on.

As much as some folks may be having a hard time figure out how you could maintain, repair and replace on the small budget you outlined. It sounds like your situation is probably not going to be a good source of information for us. Thanks though.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I also forgot my hurricane grade (code required) garage door, but I don't recalll the cost.

Home was also just under 1600 sf

 

[bicker]

Found this old info (ten years old, but our budget hasn't changed much since then).

Landscaping 32%
Building Maintenance 17%
Insurance 16%
Snow Removal 13%
Conservation 8%
Electricity 6%
Grounds Maintenance 3%
Misc. 2%
Legal 2%

So the only big things that weren't included in my earlier list was insurance and the money we spend to maintain the conservation area on our property.

 

[NikitaZee]

We have had a terrible time with ice dams this year. My husband is extremely vigilant about prevention. He brings out the roof rake at the first snow, and places pantyhose filled with ice melt in the gutters. This year he has had to go up on a ladder and sledgehammer huge blocks of ice. In spite of this, we have water stains in our family room (around the fireplace ceiling) and in our garage. We had water pouring from our smoke detector - with the alarm going off and us running around the house trying to figure out what was causing it. It's bad enough that we had to contact our insurance company and we're having it repaired. Next year, we will have the electric coils and happily pay the extra utility charge for them!

 

[golfgal]

It's all townhouses.

I don't think she necessarily feels it is her responsibility to come up with the answers.

I doubt she'd be averse to that.

I think we've got some problem spots which a rake can't reach (obstructions in the way). Regardless, having the snow removal folks doing that is probably exceedingly expensive, because of the danger and liability involved. However, again, I doubt my wife would be averse to that extra cost.

As much as some folks may be having a hard time figure out how you could maintain, repair and replace on the small budget you outlined. It sounds like your situation is probably not going to be a good source of information for us. Thanks though.

I think the biggest difference between our budget and your budget is that we do our lawn work/snow removal ourselves and from your budget, that saves several hundred a month. Same thing about raking your roof. When I mentioned that I was assuming it would be something you would do yourself, you automatically figured in the cost of someone else doing that. That is the difference. We had an ice dam last year, higher up on our roof, DH got up there, put some ice melt on it, it went away. Now, I would not get up on a snowy roof in the winter and would call someone in to take care of that but DH didn't have a problem with it (because he doesn't like spending money ). I kept telling him that the copay at the hospital would be more then having a roofer come over and clear off the roof. .

 

[bicker]

That is the difference.

Yup, you really got to value your own work more - you're worth it!

I kept telling him that the copay at the hospital would be more then having a roofer come over and clear off the roof. .

Yeah, and I don't know what your roof looks like but ours is very steep.

 

[golfgal]

Yup, you really got to value your own work more - you're worth it!

Yeah, and I don't know what your roof looks like but ours is very steep.

Well there is no need to be snarky but it really doesn't take much to cut the grass or shovel the snow. Our roof is pretty steep too, we are in MN and you need that for snow.

Also, don't you have a homeowner's association that takes care of all of this for you? Around here, if you have a townhome you have zero outside maintenance costs. Most have a monthly fee-around $150/month give or take but that usually includes all lawn care, snow removal, garbage/recycling collection and all outside maintenance to the building (roof repairs, painting, new windows, etc.).

 

[bicker]

Well there is no need to be snarky but it really doesn't take much to cut the grass or shovel the snow.

Still it takes quite a bit, and folks demand good money for doing it. Most folks who live here value those services as among the best aspects of living here.

Also, don't you have a homeowner's association that takes care of all of this for you?

Definitely, but I never lose sight of the fact that "them is us". It's not like we paid some money up-front, and now this association has to do what we want them to do. "Them is us" - if we want "them" to do something, then "we" have to pay for it. We're still making all our own decisions and spending our own money - just doing it collectively so we can capitalize on the economies of scale and the consistency that brings. And we're not all in the same place in life... we have a lot of retirees. Some of them, I know, would much rather deal with some leakage than a special assessment (for example) to cover the cost of installation of the devices that NikitaZee referred to.

 

[golfgal]

Still it takes quite a bit, and folks demand good money for doing it. Most folks who live here value those services as among the best aspects of living here.

Definitely, but I never lose sight of the fact that "them is us". It's not like we paid some money up-front, and now this association has to do what we want them to do. "Them is us" - if we want "them" to do something, then "we" have to pay for it. We're still making all our own decisions and spending our own money - just doing it collectively so we can capitalize on the economies of scale and the consistency that brings. And we're not all in the same place in life... we have a lot of retirees. Some of them, I know, would much rather deal with some leakage than a special assessment (for example) to cover the cost of installation of the devices that NikitaZee referred to.

You are making your "costs" sound like it is above and beyond what you pay for your association though. I agree that the best part of living in a town home community is NOT to have to take care of those things and if DH were not here, I would move to a town home in a heartbeat. I am just pointing out that if you doubled what we spend, we would be ballpark what you spend so our budgets aren't all that different taking into consideration you hire out the work, we don't.

 

[SaraJayne]

In the 9 and a half years we've lived here, outdoor "maintenance" ~

$7,000 new windows (last summer)

A couple hundred bucks for gas for lawn mower.

That's about it.

 

[DawnM]

We got a roof two years ago- $10K. We had bids up to $18K. We got a 30 year roof.

We had the exterior cedar siding paint stained- $5K

We got two heat pumps (ours were 20 years old) for $5K and $6K but had some rebates on top of that.

We have an above ground pool. We spend about $400 yearly for upkeep on that.

Landscaping is all on us. We did buy a $4K lawnmower when we moved here (2.5 acres)

That is all the exterior that I can think of. We have NO HOA.

Okay, so I screwed up my question. I need to know how much per year averaged over the long-term - not how much every year for each item. I was expecting perhaps one person to have replaced their roof, this year, and averaging that into the total; etc. Those are real costs that are included in what I need to understand better.

So let's make this clearer...

How much have you spent over the last 10 years, or 20 years if you can, to maintain and repair or replace roof, siding, windows, foundation, structural framing, doors, walkways, driveway, lawns; including both maintenance and repair, materials and labor? (I can divide by 10 or by 20, myself. )