Maintaining your home

Like owning a car, your home will need regular upkeep to keep it safe and uphold its value. It's your biggest investment — protect it.

living room with its furniture covered and a man and woman painting the ceiling

As a homeowner, caring for and maintaining your home is an important responsibility. Regular upkeep can prevent costly problems from arising, make mechanical systems last longer and have a positive impact on your home's value. Maintenance will cost you time and money, but it can protect your home's value and ensure the comfort and safety of your family.

To help you plan for home maintenance costs:

Set aside time and money. You'll need to ensure you plan for the necessary resources needed to maintain your property, such as lawn care, gutter cleaning, appliance upkeep and more.

Plan ahead for major purchases and home improvements. If you know your roof, for example, will need replacement in a few years, be sure to make this part of your savings plan now.

Take periodic inventory of your home's appliances, roof, decks, etc. Take note of when warranties end, the age of certain features and when manufacturers recommend replacement.

Make sure your insurance is active and current. By maintaining an adequate amount of homeowners insurance (generally the cost to rebuild your home if damaged or destroyed) you'll have the protection you need for serious damage or a disaster.

2 men installing counters and cabinets in a kitchen

If you’re thinking about home remodeling projects, be sure to ask yourself how long you plan to be in the home and take note of the cost vs. value for your project. Remodeling can be expensive and it may be difficult to recoup your investment when you sell your home.

Use our home maintenance checklist to help you identify any home maintenance issues year-round and repair them before they become more problematic and potentially more expensive.

Tools and Resources

Calculator: Refinancing Costs

Understand what your refinancing costs might be.

Video: Saving for the Unexpected

Learn how to save for your home's upkeep.

Brochure: Caring for Your Home

Understand the importance of maintaining your property and how to plan for the unexpected.

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