Lower your home maintenance costs with these upgrades

The list of home maintenance tasks can seem endless. However, with a few smart installations, homeowners can dramatically increase the longevity of their property.

Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa says that it is vital that homeowners make the time to get to all the maintenance tasks on their to-do list, as this will safeguard the value of their home. “Putting these tasks off for too long could lead to costly repairs and could lower the value of the home if left unattended.”

With this in mind, Goslett suggests that there are ways for homeowners to shorten the list of home maintenance items. “Homeowners just need to be selective about the types of materials they install on the home. Choose fixtures and fittings that are hardwearing and require less maintenance,” he suggests.

For example, Goslett recommends that homeowners install LED lighting throughout the home (if they have not already) as these are much more cost-effective and have a much longer lifespan than other bulbs.

“Exterior facing wooden window and door frames will require regular varnishing and maintenance to ensure that they do not weather or become damaged. This can be a massive task, which is why most buyers actually prefer aluminium replacements,” he notes.

Carpets will also need to be professionally cleaned regularly to keep them in optimal condition. Goslett recommends that those who would like one less thing to maintain in the home should consider replacing any carpets with laminate or vinyl flooring, as these are durable options that require little to no maintenance.

“The garden is another area of the home that requires a lot of regular maintenance. Those with large areas of grass could lower the amount of time it takes to maintain a healthy lawn by adding some paving or by installing artificial grass instead. Succulents will also require far less maintenance than other plants,” Goslett suggests.

As challenging as it may be to find the time to get around to the long list of home maintenance, by performing regular maintenance checks and by replacing maintenance-heavy items with more hardwearing alternatives, homeowners can avoid having to pay for costly repairs that could have been avoided. As a bonus, Goslett explains that some of these replacements could even add value to the home.

“Many buyers want a lock-up-and-go, low-maintenance lifestyle and are prepared to pay more for a home that can offer them this. If you aren’t sure which features may have an impact on the resale value of your property, chat to a local RE/MAX agent to find out more about what buyers are looking for in your area,” Goslett concludes.