HOME MAINTENANCE 2023

SO – WHAT IS HOME MAINTENANCE? My definition of home maintenance is any jobs that involve checking, DIY, and basically maintaining (!) where you live. It’s about maintaining the structure, fixtures and fittings – and ensuring your home stays safe, secure and looked after for you in day to day life, and in emergencies.

 

Some specialists recommend setting aside 1% to 2% of the purchase price of your home each year for routine maintenance projects such as roofing repairs, sewer updates, or new appliances — each of which can cost several thousand dollars. If 2% seems too much, consider starting with less and working your way up.

How Much Money You Should Save for Home Maintenance (exceptional job Roxanne Downer

Written By

Elisabeth Beauchamp

Reviewed By

Roxanne Downer Published On December 7, 2022

Budgeting for all the ins and outs of homeownership can be overwhelming. No matter how diligently you keep up with routine maintenance, major repair needs are bound to occur. This is why having a home maintenance saving plan is crucial. It can cover the hundreds or even thousands of dollars of upkeep your home might need.

We’ve compiled this guide on average repair costs, product life spans, and more to help you decide how much money to save for home maintenance. We’ll also cover some personal finance tips and budgeting rules of thumb to help you tackle homeownership like a pro.

How Much to Budget for Home Maintenance

Home maintenance has two sides: the tasks you can plan for every year and those you can’t. The predictable ones, such as routine maintenance tasks, cost more upfront but can save you a lot in the long run. For example, projects like yearly gutter cleaning, HVAC tune-ups, and winterizing your sprinkler system keep your home in good shape and help prevent costly damage down the road.

Other maintenance needs come in the form of repairs and replacements, which can be costly, unexpected events. The unpredictable nature of these maintenance expenses means you should save money each year to cover them.

Calculate a Home Maintenance Savings Plan

So, how much money should you save in case several of your appliances or a home system happens to go down?

The Percentage Rule

One popular rule is to set aside at least 1-2% of your home’s purchase price each year for maintenance needs that arise. Based on this principle, a homeowner with a $300,000 property should save $3,000-$6,000 per year.

Some financial experts even suggest saving up to 4% of your home’s value for upkeep. Maintenance typically ends up costing around 1% of a home’s value each year, so saving that amount and then some can help you prepare for larger, unexpected costs that might pop up.

The Square Footage Rule

The percentage rule works in some situations but might not translate well in others where a turbulent real estate market inflates home values. The market might cause a home’s value to fluctuate well above or below what it’s actually worth. Homeowners in these scenarios may instead opt for the square footage rule for maintenance budgeting. This rule suggests saving one dollar for every square foot of your home. So, if you have a 2,000-square-foot house, you’ll put away $2,000 for yearly repairs and upkeep.

Today’s Homeowner’s Take on Savings Plans

The percentage and square footage rules are good places to start when tackling home maintenance savings. However, saving even 2% of your home’s value for upkeep might not be feasible for your budget.

In this case, we suggest saving at least 1% of your home’s value each year as a starting point. If you’re able to put aside extra money over time, you’ll be better equipped to handle emergencies that arise. At the end of the day, the amount you really need to save depends on your home’s condition, age, and a few other factors, which we’ll cover in the sections below.

Factors That Affect How Much You Should Save

Saving for home maintenance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your specific budget depends on factors like location, home age, and system life spans. We’ll discuss these factors and more in the sections below.

Home Location

If you live in a high-cost area, you already know your budget should be higher to include everything from food and gas to housing and recreation. Home maintenance should be no exception when it comes to your savings plan. Materials and labor fees are steeper in areas with a high cost of living, so save accordingly.

Your area’s climate can also indicate how much you should save for home maintenance. If you live in a place with unpredictable weather — hurricanes, blizzards, flooding, wildfires, or droughts — your home is at a higher risk of damage. Assess the threats your property may encounter that home insurance won’t cover and put aside some extra money.

Home Age

The age of your home is another factor to consider when budgeting for maintenance. Older homes typically cost less upfront but may have a myriad of issues hiding in the woodwork. When maintaining an older home, you might encounter problems like failing appliances, deteriorating floorboards, corroding pipes, peeling paint, hazardous electrical wiring, and much more. If you own an older home, consider these potential maintenance needs and how much they could cost you down the road.

You may be tempted to skip saving if you’ve recently purchased a new home. However, first-time homebuyers should prepare for the upcoming costs their home may develop. It’s true that newer homes typically have fewer problems in the first several years. However, like any property, they aren’t immune to weather damage, owner accidents, and other surprise maintenance needs.

In short, you should still budget for maintenance even if your home is new(er). And if you don’t use the savings from your first couple of years in the house, you’ll have a sufficient financial cushion moving forward.

Life Spans of Home Systems and Appliances

Knowing the life spans of the items in your home is an important step in preparing for annual maintenance costs. Having an idea of when appliances and systems might start to sputter can help you plan (and save) ahead so there are no surprises.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors provides the following life expectancy estimates for standard household components:

Item	Average Life Span
Caulking	5–10
Interior Paint	10–15
Exterior Paint	7–10
Roofing Adhesives	15+
Air Conditioner	5–7
Trash Compactor	6
Dishwasher	9
Clothes Dryer	13
Washing Machine	5–15
Microwave Oven	9
Refrigerator	9–13
Gas Oven	10–18
Cabinets	50+
Electrical Panel	60
Roof Trusses	100+
Carpet	8–10
Wood Flooring	100+
Garage Doors	20–25
Water Heater	6–12
Toilet Tank Components	5
Toilet	100+

Average Home Maintenance Costs

When you think of home-related costs, you probably think of a hefty down payment or pricey monthly mortgage. While these financial obligations undoubtedly take a chunk of your income, other, more sporadic costs can also put a dent in your savings, especially if you aren’t prepared.

The things that make your house a home — systems, appliances, and accessories — are bound to break down eventually and need repairs or replacements. These costs are part of home maintenance, so you should budget accordingly.

Here are some average repair and replacement costs you could incur if your home appliances and systems stop working:

Item	Average Repair Cost	Average Replacement Cost
Refrigerator	$300	$1,500
Washer & Dryer	$300	$1,500
Built-in Microwave	$200	$300
Dishwasher	$300	$650
Oven	$300	$1,000
Water Heater	$500	$1,700
Toilet	$250	$400
Electrical panel	$1,000	$3,000
HVAC System	$500	$10,000

Don’t forget about the outside of your home when budgeting for yearly home maintenance. Things like gutters, landscaping, and the roof can be expensive should problems arise.

Your gutters are crucial for redirecting water away from your home and avoiding destructive foundation issues down the road. Routine gutter repairs generally cost between $250-$400, with higher-end repairs sitting in the $500-$600 range. Full-scale gutter replacements can cost between $1,000-$7,000, depending on the gutter material and size of your home.

Your roof is another component of your house to factor into your long-term budget. Smaller roof repairs like leaks, holes, or missing shingles could cost anywhere from $100-$1,500. Other significant repairs for damage to the roof’s trusses, eaves, or underlayment can cost up to $4,000. If you need a full repair or a new roof, you’re likely looking at $10,000 or more to cover the cost.

How To Plan for Costs

Preparation is vital when budgeting for home maintenance to give you peace of mind throughout the year. The following sections discuss ways to prepare yourself for routine maintenance needs, unexpected catastrophes, and everything in between.

Start a Home Maintenance Emergency Fund

Starting a home maintenance fund is the best way to prepare for annual costs. This can help you afford predictable maintenance needs and soften the financial blow of unexpected home repairs when they occur.

Instead of setting aside thousands of dollars at once, factor your home maintenance savings into your monthly budget. Depending on your financial capabilities, you might be able to put a few hundred dollars into your maintenance savings account each month for a more manageable preparation plan.

At the end of the year, you can put any savings you didn’t use toward next year’s maintenance emergency fund. Remember, your main goal in budgeting for home upkeep is to build a safety net for your future needs.

Keep Up With Regular Maintenance

Staying on top of your home’s routine maintenance is another way to manage costs. You’ll need help from a pro for your annual home system inspections and HVAC tune-ups. Consider hiring a contractor to come out and complete multiple tune-ups and other maintenance tasks all at once.

You can complete other maintenance tasks like gutter cleaning and vacuuming refrigerator coils on your own. Develop a monthly maintenance checklist to keep track of tasks you need to complete. Our seasonal maintenance checklist is a good place to start; it details out which tasks to complete each month to keep your home in good condition.

Buy a Home Warranty Policy

Purchasing a home warranty is another way to prepare for unexpected home maintenance needs. A home warranty isn’t the same as homeowners insurance, which covers property loss, structural damage, and liabilities. Lenders typically require homebuyers to have insurance in place before they can acquire a home.

Home warranties help cover the costs of repairs or replacements for systems and appliances that break down from normal wear and tear. These service contracts are optional and available through various home warranty companies.

With a home warranty, plan to pay a monthly premium and a small service fee each time a technician completes a repair. Otherwise, the provider covers the cost of the repairs or replacements. Home warranties are excellent for homeowners seeking a budgeting tool for unexpected maintenance.

Similarly to a personal home maintenance fund, a good home warranty policy can help you factor repair costs into your monthly budget. They generally cost between $600-$700 per year and can cover thousands of dollars in repairs. Learn more about how much a policy can help you save in our Home Warranty Plans & Pricing guide.

Planning for Peace of Mind

Now that you have a clear understanding of how much to save for home maintenance, you can get started building a financial safety net for your family. Your home is likely your biggest asset, so keeping it in working order is crucial to your happiness and comfort. With a home maintenance savings plan or solid home warranty policy, you’ll be well on your way to peace of mind for the coming years.

 

 

A long time ago I I discovered  exceptional  telephone skills are the building blocks of every positive  claims experience . Many of the important experiences that your existing, new, and potential customers are having are based upon the level of customer service they are receiving from your employees while on the phone. What follows is 15 meaninfor telephone tips to help you achieve steler claims telephone experience. Top 15 Skills There are many tips and techniques available on the market to help your employees build great telephone skills; however, there are only 10 that can truly deliver. The following Top 10 skills have been gathered from the Telephone Training Program, an award winning resource that is entertaining and simple for any practice to use. 1. Who’s job is it - Telephone Responsibility - It is important to identify and clarify whose role it is to answer the phone to avoid confusion and chaos. 2. The approach -  - It is much more than a "hello" or "good morning." Use your greeting to warmly welcome existing and potential customers to your business. 3. Telephone Etiquette - It's not so much "what you say," but "how you say it," that truly matters to your customers - continue to provide important information but focus on the delivery. 4. Scheduling Appointments - Make sure you know how to schedule those appointments - don't take it for granted that they already know! 5. Properly Placing Callers on Hold - Establish a customer - friendly manner to place callers on hold without offending the customer. 6. Transferring Calls - Don't leave the caller hanging: let him or her know when and why you are transferring their call to another employee. 7. Leaving and Taking Messages - Identify what an appropriate message is to leave for a customer, as well as, how to gather all the necessary information when taking a message for other employees. 8. Conflict is good - Handling the Unhappy Caller - It is important that employees keep their own cool when talking with an unhappy caller and work towards a mutually acceptable answer to the caller's concern. 9. Handling Tough Questions - Recognize how much information is okay to provide and when it is time to seek the assistance of a more seasoned employee. 10.Personal Calls - There really is no time that is acceptable for employees to make and receive personal calls. This behavior communicates to the customer that their time is more valuable than the customer's - a big put-off! 11.Positive Tone Despite being one of the most obvious, it is also one of the most (if not the most!) important telephone skills. 12. Controlling the conversation Sales talks can be very tricky. On one side, you want them to be as casual as they can be, while on the other, you want to quickly close the sale. It’s hard to balance a sales talk and not to sound too casual and not too salesy. To properly control the conversation you need to first set the goal for the call. If it is making a sale, you have to make sure every part of the call takes you one step closer to making that sale. That being said, it doesn’t mean that you can’t exchange a few details about something more personal such as hobbies or recent events. What it means, is that you should never let the call drift away from its main purpose.Mastering this phone skill will help you close the call in a much quicker way with a lot less effort! 13. Handling tough questions Now, that’s one serious phone skill. Sooner or later (probably sooner) you’ll get a call from an unhappy caller. Whether it’s a customer who got a wrong order delivered or a lead who’s dissatisfied with the way he got treated on your customer service line, you’ll have to deal with tough questions and awkward calls. 13. Answering business calls I bet you know how important the first impression is. Obviously, it is even more important when you meet someone face-to-face but it works the same over the phone. The way you answer a business call will define how well (or bad!) the rest of the talk will go. Taking all of the above into account, you should strive to make your greetings as sharp as possible. The best way to achieve it is to use a three-part greeting. Such a greeting contains the welcoming words, company name, and your name. Including all of the three helps your caller identify that he’s making the right call to the right person that he intended to call. It’s important that the first words you say are pleasant and set the tone for the rest of the call. Let it be simple “Good morning” said in a cheerful tone. It can still make a lot of difference. Follow that simple framework to properly answer each of the calls! 14. active listening - Active listening refers to a pattern of listening that keeps you engaged with your conversation partner in a positive way. It is the process of listening attentively while someone else speaks, paraphrasing and reflecting back what is said, and withholding judgment and advice.     15. Summing up -  have I answered all of your questions? Have all your questions been answered? Is there anything I can do enhance your customer experience? Should you need me, the following Wys is how you can reach me. You can provide your employees with these necessary phone skills in your employee manual and through hands-on instruction. Consider adding a web-based front office and/or telephone training program to supplement your own training. This will ensure that you cover all bases and give your employees the best foundation possible. In Short... Do not ignore the significance of an employee that possesses great telephone training. Review the Top 10 skills with your employees on a regular basis and train a new employee as a part of their employee orientation. Your business will continue to thrive with every ring of the telephone.

 

 

Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,166 lives in 2017 alone. Texting on the road and the Dangers of Distracted Driving is a major problem.

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

Every day, at least nine Americans die and 100 are injured in distracted driving crashes. Cell phones, dashboard touchscreens, voice commands and other in-vehicle technologies pose a threat to our safety. Consequences of those distractions are not worth the convenience they offer. Ignore the distractions and #justdrive.
Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April is a united effort to recognize the dangers of and eliminate preventable deaths from distracted driving. Join us to help save lives.
 

In addition to the internet, there is the fact that we have mobile technology for everyone now. Back in the day, having a wired phone was a massive deal. Now, even homeless people have cell phones. One of the cardinal rules of driving a vehicle anywhere in the world is to keep both hands on the wheel.

However, people are now so used to mobile phones that they think that they can drive while using them. It doesn’t matter how mad you think your driving skills are, you still can’t text while driving. Unless you are capable of seeing and concentrating on two separate things with equal intensity, of course. This isn’t humanly possible, so you can put that thought away.

From texting to calling to using mobile navigation systems, people are always finding ways to use their mobile phones. It almost feels like they just can’t keep their paws off those screens, not even for the time it takes to drive from point A to point B every day.

Texting while driving is an epidemic, and it must be cured before it is too late to do anything about it. In fact, the use of mobile phones in vehicles has to be banned too. There are already a lot of states in the US that have laws against the use of cell phones and texting in the vehicle.

General Cell Phone Statistics

• The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.
• Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving.
• 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.
• Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.
• Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to travel the length of a football field.
• Texting while driving causes a 400 percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road.
• Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity.
• 94 percent of drivers support a ban on texting while driving.
• 74 percent of drivers support a ban on hand-held cell phone use.

By understanding how deadly and dangerous texting and driving is, we can help prevent future generations from participating in this detrimental activity.

Currently there is no national ban on texting or using a wireless phone while driving, but a number of states have passed laws banning texting or wireless phones or requiring hands-free use of wireless phones while driving.