Being hit with an unexpected home repair can be an extremely stressful and financially gut-wrenching experience. The good news is that with a little planning and proactive home maintenance, homeowners can lessen the pain by identifying critical issues and resolving them quickly, often saving thousands of dollars in repair costs while also boosting the value of their homes.

So what areas of a house should homeowners pay special attention to in order to avoid expensive repairs? We’re sharing our top tips as longtime home maintenance experts to help you stave off the most expensive of all house repairs.

Foundation Repairs

—

A home’s foundation is its entire support system. Problems with a foundation will lead to a whole host of problems elsewhere such as cracked walls, slanting floors, crooked doorways, drainage problems, and windows or doors that don’t shut properly. With so many aspects of total house health dependent on the foundation, it’s critical that homeowners keep a keen eye out for any issues that could indicate a sinking foundation or hire a home maintenance specialist to evaluate this for them.

Average Foundation Repair Cost 

—

According to HomeAdvisor, foundation repair costs average between just over $2,000 to $7500 with major foundation repairs climbing over $10,000. 

Signs of Trouble With Your Foundation

• Cracks Climbing Interior/Exterior Walls

• Sagging Ceilings or Bowing Walls

• Doors/Windows Not Shutting Properly

• Signs of Moisture or Mold

• Cracking in the Foundation Itself

Roof Repairs

—

Small roof repairs such as patching leaks, sealing holes, and replacing flashing or defective shingles are all extremely affordable in comparison to common roofing problems that can occur if these easy fixes aren’t addressed. Wood rot, flashing erosion, extensive water damage, and roof sagging can all be painfully expensive repairs that are often preventable.

Average Roof Repair Cost

—

Minor roofing-related repairs can set you back a few hundred dollars but quickly skyrocket from there into the multi-thousand-dollar range when repairs become more complex due to the severity of water damage. HomeAdvisor puts the national average for roof repairs at just over $1,000.

Signs of Roof Damage

• Missing or Damaged Shingles

• Pooling Water on the Roof Surface

• Visible Cracks or Holes

• Signs of Missing or Eroded Flashing

• Water Marks on Your Ceiling 

• Visible Rotting Wood

Water Damage and Mold

—

Water and mold damage can quickly cause your property value to tank. This is largely due to the fact that mold is not only expensive to remediate but it negatively affects air quality and has a direct impact on health. The list of possible mold health issues is lengthy and includes everything from allergies to nerve damage.

Homeowners can reduce their risk of mold by eliminating what causes it - water damage and moisture buildup - and by getting their homes checked regularly for any signs of water or moisture leaking in from sources such as the roof, foundation, gutters, and plumbing.

Average Cost for Mold Remediation

—

Mold removal can range from $10-$25 per square foot, with typical mold remediation costs averaging between $1,500 to $4,000.

Signs of Mold or Water Damage

• A Musty or Moldy Smell Emanating from Certain Rooms/Walls

• Allergic Reactions Such as Sneezing, Coughing, or Asthma 

• Water Marks or Spots on Ceilings, Walls, Floors, inside Cabinets, Etc

• Warping Walls, Ceilings, or Flooring

• Standing Water

• Visible Mold or Fungus Growing

Home Plumbing

—

Problems with a home’s plumbing - water and sewer - can get costly very quickly and can also be extremely disrupting to day-to-day activities that we often take for granted, like showering. 

Average Cost for Plumbing Repairs

—

Resolving a small leak might be as low as $360, according to HomeAdvisor. The national average for repairs goes up from there, climbing to just under $2,000. Larger repairs such as whole-house repiping can cost homeowners between $7,500-$15,000. This makes it especially important to fully understand the condition of the plumbing for any house you intend to purchase.

Signs of a Major Plumbing Plumbing Problem

• Visible Water Around Plumbing Fixtures

• Leaking Faucets

• Discolored Water

• Low Water Pressure

• Slow Draining Sinks or Bath Tubs

• Odd Sounds Coming From Your Pipes

• High Water Bills Indicating a Potential Leak

• Smelly Drains

Looking at buying a home?

—

Check out our New Homeowner Checklist for what to do when you first move in.

Home Electrical

—

A properly functioning electrical system not only provides modern comforts and conveniences but is critical for optimal energy efficiency and reducing fire risk.

For homeowners with no prior experience, checking your home’s electricity can be daunting and also dangerous. Hiring a home maintenance company to evaluate your electrical system, including outlets, wiring, and the main panel, is a great way to safeguard your home, its contents, and the people who live within it.

Average Cost for Electricity Repairs

—

Hiring an electrician to repair basic issues such as non-functional light switches or outlets can be fairly minimal and could cost the average homeowner $280, according to HomeGuide. Electrician rates vary on average from $50-$100 per hour, not including the additional costs for parts or materials. Larger projects, such as upgrading a new electrical panel, will fall somewhere between $850-$2,000 on average or as high as $4,000 depending on the amps required.

Signs of a Faulty Electrical

• Lights, Switches, or Outlets Not Working

• Flickering Lights

• Buzzing Sounds Near Outlets or Walls

• Smoking Appliances or Outlets

• Fuses Getting Blown or Tripped Frequently

• Scorched Outlets

• Visibly Frayed or Sparking Wires

• Loose Outlets

HVAC System

—

A home’s HVAC system controls the entire climate within your home. It’s an essential powerhouse that requires special attention and care to function optimally. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system, including replacing filters, inspecting heating and cooling elements, and cleaning ductwork, will go a long way at preventing major repairs, extending the life of the system, and keeping the overall investment of your home holding strong.

Average Cost for HVAC Replacement

—

The national average cost to replace an entire HVAC system can range from $5,000-$10,000, depending on the square footage of the home. Repairs typically range from $150-$300 per visit or tune-up. 

Signs of HVAC Problems

• High Energy Bills 

• Unit is Constantly Running but Failing to Properly Cool Home

• Water Leaking From Under The Unit

• Hissing Sounds

• Increased Frequency of Repairs

Termite Damage

—

Termites are one of the most aggravating and expensive pest infestations that can occur in a home. Subterranean termites are the most common type and can cause extensive damage to wood within just a few months of aggressive activity. Homes within warmer climates of the American south are a the highest risk, but they remain a serious threat in all but a few very northern territories in the United States such as Montana and Maine.

Average Cost for Termite Damage Repair

—

The average homeowner will spend $3,000 to repair damage caused by termites, with additional costs for termite treatments which can range from $300 for spot remediation to $2,000 for whole-house extermination.

Signs of Termites

• Tiny Holes or Lines in Drywall and Wood

• Warping Flooring or Woodwork

• Hollow Sound When Knocking on Wall or Woodwork

• Crumbling Woodwork or Flooring

• Sagging Ceilings or Bowing Walls, Similar to Water Damage

• Live or Dead Termites or Winds

• Hard to Open Doors and Windows

Looking to prioritize your home maintenance needs?

Explore the benefits of Willow Home’s subscription home maintenance plan, offering luxury home concierge services to residents of Boulder, Colorado.

Being hit with an unexpected home repair can be an extremely stressful and financially gut-wrenching experience. The good news is that with a little planning and proactive home maintenance, homeowners can lessen the pain by identifying critical issues and resolving them quickly, often saving thousands of dollars in repair costs while also boosting the value of their homes.

So what areas of a house should homeowners pay special attention to in order to avoid expensive repairs? We’re sharing our top tips as longtime home maintenance experts to help you stave off the most expensive of all house repairs.

Foundation Repairs

—

A home’s foundation is its entire support system. Problems with a foundation will lead to a whole host of problems elsewhere such as cracked walls, slanting floors, crooked doorways, drainage problems, and windows or doors that don’t shut properly. With so many aspects of total house health dependent on the foundation, it’s critical that homeowners keep a keen eye out for any issues that could indicate a sinking foundation or hire a home maintenance specialist to evaluate this for them.

Average Foundation Repair Cost 

—

According to HomeAdvisor, foundation repair costs average between just over $2,000 to $7500 with major foundation repairs climbing over $10,000. 

Signs of Trouble With Your Foundation

• Cracks Climbing Interior/Exterior Walls

• Sagging Ceilings or Bowing Walls

• Doors/Windows Not Shutting Properly

• Signs of Moisture or Mold

• Cracking in the Foundation Itself

Roof Repairs

—

Small roof repairs such as patching leaks, sealing holes, and replacing flashing or defective shingles are all extremely affordable in comparison to common roofing problems that can occur if these easy fixes aren’t addressed. Wood rot, flashing erosion, extensive water damage, and roof sagging can all be painfully expensive repairs that are often preventable.

Average Roof Repair Cost

—

Minor roofing-related repairs can set you back a few hundred dollars but quickly skyrocket from there into the multi-thousand-dollar range when repairs become more complex due to the severity of water damage. HomeAdvisor puts the national average for roof repairs at just over $1,000.

Signs of Roof Damage

• Missing or Damaged Shingles

• Pooling Water on the Roof Surface

• Visible Cracks or Holes

• Signs of Missing or Eroded Flashing

• Water Marks on Your Ceiling 

• Visible Rotting Wood

Water Damage and Mold

—

Water and mold damage can quickly cause your property value to tank. This is largely due to the fact that mold is not only expensive to remediate but it negatively affects air quality and has a direct impact on health. The list of possible mold health issues is lengthy and includes everything from allergies to nerve damage.

Homeowners can reduce their risk of mold by eliminating what causes it - water damage and moisture buildup - and by getting their homes checked regularly for any signs of water or moisture leaking in from sources such as the roof, foundation, gutters, and plumbing.

Average Cost for Mold Remediation

—

Mold removal can range from $10-$25 per square foot, with typical mold remediation costs averaging between $1,500 to $4,000.

Signs of Mold or Water Damage

• A Musty or Moldy Smell Emanating from Certain Rooms/Walls

• Allergic Reactions Such as Sneezing, Coughing, or Asthma 

• Water Marks or Spots on Ceilings, Walls, Floors, inside Cabinets, Etc

• Warping Walls, Ceilings, or Flooring

• Standing Water

• Visible Mold or Fungus Growing

Home Plumbing

—

Problems with a home’s plumbing - water and sewer - can get costly very quickly and can also be extremely disrupting to day-to-day activities that we often take for granted, like showering. 

Average Cost for Plumbing Repairs

—

Resolving a small leak might be as low as $360, according to HomeAdvisor. The national average for repairs goes up from there, climbing to just under $2,000. Larger repairs such as whole-house repiping can cost homeowners between $7,500-$15,000. This makes it especially important to fully understand the condition of the plumbing for any house you intend to purchase.

Signs of a Major Plumbing Plumbing Problem

• Visible Water Around Plumbing Fixtures

• Leaking Faucets

• Discolored Water

• Low Water Pressure

• Slow Draining Sinks or Bath Tubs

• Odd Sounds Coming From Your Pipes

• High Water Bills Indicating a Potential Leak

• Smelly Drains

Looking at buying a home?

—

Check out our New Homeowner Checklist for what to do when you first move in.

Home Electrical

—

A properly functioning electrical system not only provides modern comforts and conveniences but is critical for optimal energy efficiency and reducing fire risk.

For homeowners with no prior experience, checking your home’s electricity can be daunting and also dangerous. Hiring a home maintenance company to evaluate your electrical system, including outlets, wiring, and the main panel, is a great way to safeguard your home, its contents, and the people who live within it.

Average Cost for Electricity Repairs

—

Hiring an electrician to repair basic issues such as non-functional light switches or outlets can be fairly minimal and could cost the average homeowner $280, according to HomeGuide. Electrician rates vary on average from $50-$100 per hour, not including the additional costs for parts or materials. Larger projects, such as upgrading a new electrical panel, will fall somewhere between $850-$2,000 on average or as high as $4,000 depending on the amps required.

Signs of a Faulty Electrical

• Lights, Switches, or Outlets Not Working

• Flickering Lights

• Buzzing Sounds Near Outlets or Walls

• Smoking Appliances or Outlets

• Fuses Getting Blown or Tripped Frequently

• Scorched Outlets

• Visibly Frayed or Sparking Wires

• Loose Outlets

HVAC System

—

A home’s HVAC system controls the entire climate within your home. It’s an essential powerhouse that requires special attention and care to function optimally. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system, including replacing filters, inspecting heating and cooling elements, and cleaning ductwork, will go a long way at preventing major repairs, extending the life of the system, and keeping the overall investment of your home holding strong.

Average Cost for HVAC Replacement

—

The national average cost to replace an entire HVAC system can range from $5,000-$10,000, depending on the square footage of the home. Repairs typically range from $150-$300 per visit or tune-up. 

Signs of HVAC Problems

• High Energy Bills 

• Unit is Constantly Running but Failing to Properly Cool Home

• Water Leaking From Under The Unit

• Hissing Sounds

• Increased Frequency of Repairs

Termite Damage

—

Termites are one of the most aggravating and expensive pest infestations that can occur in a home. Subterranean termites are the most common type and can cause extensive damage to wood within just a few months of aggressive activity. Homes within warmer climates of the American south are a the highest risk, but they remain a serious threat in all but a few very northern territories in the United States such as Montana and Maine.

Average Cost for Termite Damage Repair

—

The average homeowner will spend $3,000 to repair damage caused by termites, with additional costs for termite treatments which can range from $300 for spot remediation to $2,000 for whole-house extermination.

Signs of Termites

• Tiny Holes or Lines in Drywall and Wood

• Warping Flooring or Woodwork

• Hollow Sound When Knocking on Wall or Woodwork

• Crumbling Woodwork or Flooring

• Sagging Ceilings or Bowing Walls, Similar to Water Damage

• Live or Dead Termites or Winds

• Hard to Open Doors and Windows

Looking to prioritize your home maintenance needs?

Explore the benefits of Willow Home’s subscription home maintenance plan, offering luxury home concierge services to residents of Boulder, Colorado.