What could a 5 year home maintenance budget look like?

5 year $ total

• Silicon injected damp-proof $120 x 70 linear metres
• New air vents x 4 @ $24 each
• Replastering of damaged plaster $1,470 (doesn’t include the cost of painting)

$9,500

• DIY replacement of 2 internal doors and handles @ $250 each
• DIY replacement of 3 kitchen cabinet hinges @ $25 each
• Repair of sliding door on built-in robe. Labour @ $40 per hour x 2.

$655

• For the purpose of this example, there are no drainage issues anticipated. But keep in mind, drainage related repairs can be very inconvenient, let alone costly!

$0

• 3 call outs calculated on a minimum service call fee of $78 each time. Then 2 hours investigation and repair for each call out at an additional $46 per hour plus 2 power point replacements at $80 each.

$670

• The window frames, door frames, fascia boards and balcony decking and pergola are due for a new coat of paint. Labour will cost you around $39 per hour and paint supplies around $12 per m^2.

$2,500

• The front gate needs to be replaced, otherwise the fences are in good repair. DIY replacement of the gate will cost around $465.

$465

• Floor coverings have all recently been updated. A twice a year steam clean of all new wool blend carpets at $69 per room x 5 rooms is  budgeted for.

$3,450

• This low maintenance garden needs some regular weeding and pruning. $40 per hour for 2 hours every 8 weeks is budgeted for.

$2,400

• Reverse air cycle heating and cooling was installed two years ago. The owners are just keeping their fingers crossed that the next 5 years will be maintenance free. No budget for repairs or maintenance is included.

• Interior paint is looking tired. Painting of all 10 rooms at around $650 per room is budgeted for.

$6,500

• $88 per job, or $760 per year.

$3,800

• 15 internal lights and 4 external lights. Average of $10 per globe (based on compact fluorescent light bulbs). The lifespan on these is around 4 years.

$190

• Once a year general domestic pest control @ $250.

$750

• Removal of one tree threatening the house at $1,000.

$1,000

• Replacement of a hot water service, $1,180. Call out fee of $78 plus $46 per hour for installation.
• 2 leaking taps and 1 gas leak that need repair.

$1,500

• $7,000 to restump a house. Fortunately in this example, the house sits on a concrete slab!

• Replacement of guttering and four downpipes.

$3,000

• Waterproofing of leaking shower and bath.

$650

• Covered by the waterproofing job above.

• Replacement of two south facing windows due to dry rot.

$1,500

• Covered by the replacement of windows above.

$37,780