Annual Home Maintenance Costs

When you own your first home, regular maintenance is an important part of keeping it in good shape. A home is more than just a place to live; it’s also an asset.

The Reality of Home Maintenance Costs

Keeping a list of regular jobs to do and a maintenance calendar can help you organize the tasks that need to be done according to a specific schedule.

Some household chores require more than your own effort. If you delay maintenance work, you may need to pay professionals to do the work at a later date.

House Cleaning

Cleaning your home regularly will help keep it looking nice and will also make it a healthier place to live. Without regular cleaning, unhealthy germs and bacteria may build up and quickly make your new home unpleasant.

In addition to the obvious areas for cleaning like floors, the kitchen, and bathroom, it’s a good idea to clean appliances such as fridges and air conditioning units so that they run efficiently.

For a professionally cleaned home, expect to pay around $20-50 per hour depending on the number of people and services you require.

Garden Care

There is a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in maintaining a garden that you have created. Regular maintenance and upkeep can spare you a bigger clean-up later on, and pruning, weeding, mowing lawns, and fixing loose fence palings are all fairly straightforward tasks that won’t cost much if you have the basic equipment.

If you do not want to maintain a yard, and instead desire a landscaped garden, you can hire a professional gardener at an average of $45 per hour.

Maintaining A Pool

One of the benefits of having your own pool is the fun you can have with it. However, there are many tasks that go along with owning and maintaining a pool, even when it’s not in use.

Pool filters should be run regularly to keep the pool water clean, but the pool pump may be your home’s single biggest user of power, accounting for about 16% of energy use. It could cost between $800 and $1,200 to run the pool pump each year — an expense you might want to budget for!

Pools also use a great deal of water, not just from splashing but from evaporation. On hot days, up to 300 litres of water could evaporate from your pool. Investing in a pool cover can reduce evaporation and help keep your pool clean.

You should also take into account the cost of chemicals needed to keep pool water clear and healthy. If you don’t have time or energy for this, you could hire a professional to take care of the pool for you. Regular visits could cost upwards of $50 per hour.

Other Costs People Don’t Account For

For first homebuyers, home maintenance can be a labour of love. But along with the cost of providing some tender loving care to the building, there are also other ongoing household costs to plan for.

Council Rates, Levies, and Body Corp

A range of bills may start to come your way once you settle into your new home. Some common bills faced by homeowners include council rates for houses, or strata levies, and body corporate fees if you buy an apartment.

The amount of rates you pay is usually calculated by the value of your home multiplied by the rate set by your local council. The council can revalue your property from time to time, which may cause your rates to change. Your contract of sale or a statement from the vendor should outline these expenses so you’re aware of what to budget for.

Water Rates

The amount you pay in water rates will vary depending on your provider, but a typical bill includes a fixed charge plus extra for the water used.

By installing efficient appliances, water-saving fixtures like showerheads, and by fixing leaks or dipping taps around the home, you could save on your water bills’ variable component.

If you are looking to save money on your utility bills, it may be worth shopping around for a better deal. Your water rates might be pretty set in stone, but your power bills can sometimes differ between different providers. Every dollar you can save on unnecessary spending is extra money that could help you enjoy your first home without having to scratch for cash.