As a homeowner, you’re responsible for maintaining your home. Unlike renters, you can’t call your landlord to fix the problem—instead, you’re responsible for hiring a contractor and covering the costs of repairs. If you’re like most homeowners, you’re not a fan of unexpected home repairs that can wreak havoc on your budget.
Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, unexpected repairs are part of being a homeowner. Although it might be tempting to ignore small problems, neglecting small repairs can take a serious toll on your wallet and safety. Putting off a call to a technician can find you contacting a lender for a home improvement loan if you’re not careful. Here’s what will happen if you neglect home improvement for too long.
Your home’s property value decreases.
Even when you neglect smaller home improvements, such as cleaning your drain or replacing your HVAC filter, the problem will become bigger. Over time, neglecting to schedule regular home maintenance can significantly decrease your home’s property value.
Think about it—when you sell your home, buyers are likely to inspect everything, from the air conditioner to the foundation. If every room in your house needs maintenance, even smaller issues, like chipped paint, can turn prospective buyers away. From the buyer’s perspective, small issues can add up to create the impression that you’ve failed to maintain your home. On the other hand, staying on top of maintenance can help increase your home’s market value, which is always a good idea.
You put your safety at risk.
While it might be tempting to ignore smaller issues to save time and money, you may be putting your—and your family’s—safety at risk. For example, if you neglect to change your HVAC system’s air filter, your home’s indoor air quality significantly decreases. As a result, you and your family may be breathing in allergens, dust, mold, and other harmful contaminants.
Especially when it comes to structural issues, neglecting home improvement projects can have serious consequences. Walls, floors, ceilings, crossbeams, and window frames can all be affected by an unsteady foundation, and it’s impossible to tell how extensive the damage can become if you allow it to progress.
Your home’s energy efficiency decreases.
When you fail to maintain your home’s appliances, they need more energy to function. If you don’t regularly inspect your furnace’s ventilation system and air intake grilles, your furnace will require more energy to heat up your home, especially during colder months. In the absence of regular maintenance, minor issues won’t be identified and addressed before they turn into more serious problems. This translates to a greater risk of system failure, a greater need for heating repairs, and a higher probability that you’ll be left without heat during the winter.
According to the HVAC experts at Baja Heating & Cooling, HVAC systems are intricate pieces of equipment, and it’s important to hire a trained professional to repair and service your unit regularly. Regular repair service and maintenance for your air conditioner can not only help keep your family comfortable and safe, but it can also save you money by increasing your home’s energy efficiency and extending the life of your HVAC system.
Your repair costs increase.
If you ignore smaller issues, these problems eventually become bigger and it becomes more difficult for contractors to locate the root cause of the issue. For example, if you ignore a missing shingle or hole in your roof, leaks and structural damage can occur over time, resulting in costly home repairs. Fortunately, regular home improvement projects can help you identify small issues before they turn into serious problems, enabling you to efficiently resolve the problems and prevent expensive repairs.
If you’re in a financial bind, loans for home improvement expenses can help you cover the costs of costly home repairs without breaking the bank. While a home improvement loan is a great way to help you afford necessary home maintenance and repairs without taking on massive debt, it’s important to keep your interest rate, monthly payment, and the life of the loan in mind.
From scheduling regular HVAC maintenance to cleaning out your gutters, staying on top of home maintenance is imperative to save money and keep your home safe.
