You'll Pay for Ignoring Home Repairs

First-time homeowners sometimes find themselves surprised at how much maintenance they need to do on their houses even new ones.

Sometimes maintenance is as simple as plunging a toilet or touching up paint on a wall or stain on a deck. Other times, however, home maintenance means bigger projects. These are the kind you might not be willing to undertake right away either because you lack the expertise or the money.

But skippingthese projects could wind up costing you in the long run. How? Because neglecting some maintenance or repair projects could mean expensive home insurance claims. That means paying a deductible now and facing the prospect of higher premiums inthe future.

Heresa look at some common maintenance projects, their price tags and the potential cost of ignoring them.

Start at the Top

The last windstorm that blew through town sounded pretty vicious, and you remember thinking that the hail was pounding your house particularly hard. Do you know whether the wind or hail loosened or damaged any of your shingles?

It matters. Roof damage can remain hidden until the next storm strikes. What could happen? Plenty. A loose shingle or two could evolve into a hole in your roof, inviting major water damage.

What you can do: Break out the ladder and inspect your roof after particularly violent storms and every time the seasons change. It wont cost you anything but time. Better yet, have your roof professionally inspected. How much will that cost? About $200, sometimes less depending on how extensive a procedure you request. And if you need to replace or repair shingles? That can run about $200, depending on the damage.

The other threat to your roof comes from tree branches. A branch can smash through your roof (or for that matter, a window or side wall), resulting in the need for major repairs.

What you can do: Check your trees for dead, diseased or damaged branches. Hiring a professional to remove them will cost roughly $250, depending on how much work you want done. You should also check trees on neighboring yards and alert owners to any problems.

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You'll Pay for Ignoring Home Repairs