An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…
Whenever you consider selling a property the condition you present it in is more often than not the deciding factor for getting home buyers over the line. That being said, a complete and fully maintained home will propel your property listing to the front of the market and hopefully a successful sale.
Back to Basics
On average, your annual home maintenance budget should average around 1% of the value of your property. If your home is valued at R1 million, then you should expect to budget R10,000. This budget should include items such as domestic services for interior upkeep, garden services for the exterior, repair costs, and the regulation of any ongoing home improvements.
This can mount up to quite a bit of maintenance so keeping a checklist is essential to stay on top of things. Your checklist should include regular weekly, monthly and seasonal tasks with a bi-annual report on budget usage.
Read about The 5 secrets of people who always have clean homes
Weekly home maintenance
If you stay on top of these weekly chores, you’re halfway to solving most of the potential problems that could arise down the road.
- Rake away leaves and debris around the buildings on your property.
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly twice a week to avoid dust build-up.
Monthly home maintenance
Over a longer period, if left unchecked, small issues can become problematic and costly. Some of these jobs may not seem extremely attractive but they are of major benefit if performed regularly.
- Clear leaves and build-up from drains and gutters.
- Keep an extra can of paint for touching up chipped or peeling walls.
- Check for faulty light bulbs and replace them.
- Clear out residue from the kitchen extractor fan.
- Check faucets and repair any basic leaks.
- Check for mould or damp anywhere on the property and attend to it immediately.
Seasonal/Spring home maintenance
We’re now well into winter which means it’s time to prep your home for a new season. Seasonal changes usually affect your home’s exterior and garden so consider the following tips.
- Cut down on heating costs by checking your doors and windows for weather tarnishing. Save energy, replace or repair where needed.
- Inspect your air conditioner and clean any dust or dirt around the compressor. Have a certified technician check it regularly.
- Check your window and door screens for holes to prevent insects from flying into your home.
- Spray down exterior walls with a hose pipe.
- Have debris cleared from the roof and gutters.
- Check for fungus or mildew buildup and scrub down vigorously.
For more info on exterior upkeep read our previous article here on How to prepare your garden for winter.
Annual home maintenance
This final section of the home maintenance checklist will cover detailed forms of cleaning and upkeep. This may need professional assistance.
- Exterior paint touch-ups. If needed, consider refreshing your home with a neutral tone and repaint the entire exterior.
- Ensure your water pressure is adequate and inspect your geyser.
- Prevent water damage to your sinks, baths, and showers with annual re-caulking.
- Use wax to buff your marble or granite countertops.
- Have a pest control company conduct annual checkups.
- If you have a septic tank, this needs to be cleaned out once a year.
- Fireplace owners should schedule a routine chimney sweeping with a certified company.
- Professionally clean all of your rugs, carpets, and curtains.
Home compliance checklist
Part of taking a preventative approach to home maintenance is keeping routine safety habits in and around your property. Consider utilising the following tips depending on your home environment.
- Maintain an even distribution of electricity load by not overusing certain outlets or cords.
- When not in use, turn off all electrical appliances.
- Keep flammable liquids or gas stored in a safe and secure area. Gas balloons should be stored in an outdoor cage.
- Should a home emergency ever occur, plan a strategy to calmly and safely evacuate the home.
Managing your home maintenance
Now that you have a clearer understanding of what you need to maintain, and when, consider the best ways to finance it. If the situation allows for it, having cash available to handle emergency repairs is always ideal. However, home insurance can be a lifesaver for major repairs.
If you have the skills for DIY, it’s probably best to do the jobs yourself to save on costs. But always be sure to hire professionals for hazardous or difficult jobs that require a certified professional. Consider being part of your community and offer to help out neighbours with their projects. They will likely return the favour when it’s your turn to fix a problem.
Lastly, if you need to hire a professional, perhaps wait until you have more than just one job to tackle, as they often charge callout fees. Be sure to start them off with smaller and less complicated jobs to test whether or not they perform a good job.
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