I am sure you have heard the phrase that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The same principle applies to your home. Your home is one of your most valuable possessions. Some home owners cringe at the thought of having to spend money on replacing plumbing and electrical and replacing their roofing etc. Often we would rather spend money on beautifying our home rather than deal with upgrades that are not visible. Sometimes it is far more tempting to spend the money on a short lived vacation when the vast majority of your time is spent at home. However, for the safety and structural integrity of your home it’s essential to take care of such important issues. Disregarding maintenance can end up costing you far more in the end. I can’t stress enough how important it is to take care of the “meat and potatoes” of your house.
I have had several experiences where I have walked into a residence to do a bathroom renovation for example and have ended up having to remove walls and replace plumbing. This causes so much disappointment and leaves the homeowner feeling deflated. All of their hopes and dreams have been flushed down that poorly installed toilet that is now leaking in the inner walls of the house.
Interestingly home buyers want to ensure the home is properly inspected prior to purchase but fail to continue to inspect their home on an annual basis. It’s faulty thinking to believe that your home will continue to maintain its integrity. Hiring a home inspector or contractor who is knowledgeable can help you identify any pertinent issues that can help guide your decision to where you should start with your renovation. This will help you prioritize your renovation.
Bottom line is that maintaining your home will save you more money and headaches in the end. You can sleep at night knowing your home is well cared for. It will also afford you the opportunity to focus on other updates such as a kitchen or bathroom renovation because you’ve taken preventive measures to save you from a major and costly repair.