Doing house repairs on your own sometimes has the same effect as plugging a leaky hole with paper tape. Sooner or later, the tape will give away, and water will flood your house.
Our point is that some repairs need to be handled by a professional for a permanent fix. Left unattended, they can lead to bigger problems, costing you thousands of dollars. Let’s take a look at some of the most common house repairs and how much they cost.
Leaky Toilet Fill Valve
When you flush the toilet, does the tank keep filling with water? The sound of water continually draining can be quite annoying. Not only is this plumbing problem a noise nuisance, but it also increases your water bill.
A leaky toilet valve wastes 5 gallons of water every minute. If you do the math, that’s 7,200 gallons a day. In most cases, tightening the shut-off valve stops the leak but if it’s something else, expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $223.
Leaky Faucet
The constant drip-drip-drip sound from the kitchen or bathroom sink can drive you crazy. While this leak does not waste as much water as a leaky toilet valve, it can get on your nerves. You never know what damage it can cause to the pipes underneath.
The typical repairs involve replacing the washer or something big, such as the faucet cartridge. For this repair, expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $330.
Cleaning Rain Gutters
Rain gutters can overflow and damage your home’s interior and exterior. Rain gutters usually get blocked by debris, leaves, and dead animals, such as rats and squirrels.
As a result, water cannot drain properly, damaging your roof and sidings. We recommend cleaning your gutters at least thrice a year. The cost of this repair is usually around $160.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are the first two features that home buyers and passersby notice in your house. If your windows are more than 15 years old, they hold no value.
They can become an easy access point for burglars. Moreover, they increase your energy bills. As for the front door, if it has worn down due to weather changes, you better replace it.
A single window costs $100. If you opt for energy-efficient, double-pane windows, the cost will be $1,800. If your house requires six windows, the cost would be anywhere from $600 to $10,800.
Nowadays, the most popular front door materials are steel and fiberglass, which cost $2,400. So, the total cost of replacing windows and doors would be between $3,000 and $13,200.
Roof Repairs
Last but least is roof repairs. A hole in the roof makes the attic the primary residence for birds and bats. In winter, snow on the roof can weigh it down, making it susceptible to collapse.
The lifespan of a roof depends on what material it is made of. Three-tab shingles last 12 to 20 years, and metal roofs last 50 to 75 years.
A minor roof fix will cost you anywhere from $150 to $400, a major replacement from $5,500 to $12,000, and a complete replacement for $45,000.