Homeowner Expenses

5 Homeowner Expenses You’ll Want to Include in Your Budget

You just bought your dream home! Congratulations! Now the real fun begins. You get to decorate everything just to your liking, pick out furniture, do some landscaping.

And then, surprise!

Your roof has a hole in it. Or you’ve got termites in the basement.

Frustrating as it is, unexpected expenses can pop up out of nowhere at any time. If you plan ahead, though, it won’t be so scary when they happen. Check out the five homeowner expenses you should put in your budget now to cover them when they happen.

1. Pests

No, we’re not talking about the obnoxious new neighbors you weren’t aware of before you signed your paperwork. Termites, mosquitos, cockroaches, silverfish, mice, rats, and other unwanted houseguests are something that every homeowner will need to deal with from time to time.

Most of the time, insects and other creepy-crawlies can are more gross than dangerous. But left to their own devices, they can cause significant damage to the house, or to the humans who live in the house. Take a look at this guide to mosquitos, for instance.

Sometimes a well-placed trap is all you need, but more times than not, you’ll need a professional pest exterminator to come in and handle the situation. This can cost anywhere from $119 to $500 per visit, depending on the type and severity of the infestation and your location.

2. Roof damage

It’s easy to take your roof for granted when nothing’s wrong! But the second you see leaks or notice damage that happened from a storm, you’ll be wishing for the good old days when everything was fine.

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A simple roof repair can cost anywhere between $75 and $300, while a full-on replacement can run you nearly $3,500. You may have roof coverage with your home warranty, however, so make sure to check if you have one.

3. Siding replacement

Just like the roof, if you have siding on your house, it’s going to need to be repaired or replaced sooner or later. If you live in a location with a lot of storms or windy conditions, you’ll want to sock away some extra money in your budget for when this day comes.

On average, you should anticipate your siding costing about $12 per square foot to repair or replace. This will depend on the type of siding you have, though.

4. Mold

Mold is sneaky, and it can be deadly, which is a terrible combination. You may not even know you have it in your home until you or other members of the home are having respiratory issues. Anywhere you may have moisture in the air, like in the basement or attic, has the possibility of developing mold.

To get rid of mold, you can use a bleach solution or other cleaners specifically made to deal with mold. However, if you need to call in a professional, that might cost you $500 to $5,000!

5. HVAC

Depending on the climate you live in, you may not have central air in your house. While you may think you don’t need it since it’s not too hot except for a month or two out of the year, are you going to regret that decision when the temperature starts climbing?

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And if you’re in a cold climate? You had better hope your heater doesn’t break down in the middle of winter!

HVAC systems should really only be serviced by licensed professionals. Unfortunately, with a professional service comes a price tag. Full HVAC replacement can be up to $12,000!

Be Ready For Sneaky Home Expenses

Any of the above things can sneak up on you when you’re not suspecting it, which can put you in a tough spot financially. By budgeting for these common homeowner expenses, however, you’ll be able to confidently approach anything knowing you’ve done your homework and saved up for it.

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