Last updated on March 31st, 2022
House maintenance cost guide
Owning a home for the first time is hugely exciting. But it’s important to remember that home ownership also comes with responsibilities. Unlike in a rental property, where your landlord usually takes care of annual maintenance and repairs, all of these costs will now fall on you.
In this guide, we’ll look at the average house maintenance cost for things like boiler servicing, window cleaning and keeping the garden tidy.
Owning a home for the first time is hugely exciting. You can decorate and furnish exactly how you like, and not have to answer to a landlord for anything.
But it’s important to remember that home ownership also comes with responsibilities. Unlike in a rental property, where your landlord usually takes care of annual maintenance and repairs, all of these costs will now fall on you.
In this guide, we’ll look at the average house maintenance cost for things like boiler servicing, window cleaning and keeping the garden tidy. This should help you to plan your budget and make sure you have some cash set aside for home maintenance jobs.
How much does house maintenance cost?
The average annual house maintenance costs can vary considerably depending on the size and age of the property. And of course, how well looked after it is and what maintenance jobs need doing. Damages or breakages can sometimes happen unexpectedly, making one year more expensive in terms of house repair costs than another.
On average, it’s recommended to budget around 1% of your home’s total value per year for house maintenance costs. So, for a home worth £200,000, you should make sure you have a rainy day fund of at least £2,000 a year for maintenance.
| Low cost | High cost | Average cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiler servicing - once a year | £80 | £120 | £100 |
| Gutter cleaning and other roof maintenance | £20 | £250 | £135 |
| Garden maintenance - per visit | £30 | £50 | £40 |
| Window cleaning - per clean | £40 | £150 | £95 |
| Exterior paintwork - every 5-10 years | £425 | £1,500 | £962 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
Average home maintenance costs checklist
Now, let’s take a look at the specific home maintenance costs that most homeowners have to cover each year. This includes window cleaning, gutter cleaning and roof maintenance, and boiler servicing.
Plus, those jobs that need doing less often, like touching up the paintwork on the exterior of your house.
Window and gutter cleaning
The cost of window cleaning depends on the size of your property and how many storeys it has. And of course, how many windows need cleaning and how frequently you’d like your window cleaner to come round. On average, you can expect to pay around £40 to £150 per clean for a window cleaner.
It’s also crucial to keep your gutters clear of leaves and debris. Clogged gutters can lead to serious problems, including damp and water entering your home. On average, gutter cleaning costs anywhere between £20 and £250 per year.
Boiler servicing
Boiler servicing is one of those unavoidable expenses that must be paid for every year.
It costs between £80 and £120 for an annual boiler service. However, this can prevent more serious (and expensive) boiler problems from occurring later on.
Exterior paintwork
If you have any paintwork on the exterior of your home, such as painted render or painted wood window frames, it’ll need an occasional touch-up.
Every 5-10 years, you can expect to pay around £425 to £1,500 for a repainting project. The total price depends on the size of the home and the area in need of repainting.
Garden maintenance costs
When totting up house maintenance costs, don’t forget about the garden. Weeding, mowing the lawn and cutting back overgrown plants are all part of maintaining your property. On average, garden maintenance costs around £30 to £50 per visit from a professional gardener.
FAQs
Are there any other house repair costs to consider?
Unfortunately, there are plenty of other things that can go wrong around the house – or that just need a little TLC every now and again. You may not need it, but it’s always smart to have some money stashed away for house repair costs.
For example:
- Appliance repair and/or replacement
- Electrical repairs, such as fixing faulty light switches
- Plumbing repairs, such as fixing a leaking tap
- Interior decorating costs, such as plastering and painting.
Can I tackle house maintenance jobs myself?
Many home maintenance jobs can be DIY friendly if you know what you’re doing. But you should always call in professionals for anything involving electrics, plumbing, boiler servicing or working at height. You might also find you get a better result with an expert.
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