If you manage a single-family property, you understand how important it is to be on top of any possible problems. It will have a significant impact on not only your property but also your investment, in case a pipe bursts or a house needs new roofing. Therefore, professional property maintenance is essential for sustaining the value and revenue of the property, regardless if you own a single-family house, condo, or even a big multi-family residence.
Paying enough attention to property maintenance will be easier and cheaper compared to paying for big repairs. Here is the ultimate guide for starting a single-family property maintenance process. However, it is also important to know where to seek a professional subcontractor to manage your project.
What is Property Maintenance?
The fundamental question before starting the process is understanding what property maintenance is. The total care and upkeep of a property or installation, any preventative or reactive maintenance effort taken to keep a residence operating in its perfect working order, is known as property maintenance.
Property upkeep entails a diverse set of tasks and requests. Taking care of tenant demands for upkeep, servicing and repairing HVAC systems, maintaining landscaping, providing pest control, and even cleaning and painting common areas are just a few examples. In addition, safety inspections are also an important part of basic property maintenance, as faulty equipment (such as alarm systems) or hazardous circumstances can be a huge liability.
Why is Preventative Maintenance Crucial?
First of all, home maintenance is about how a home looks and how it works. Second, it provides significant long-term benefits, aside from the obvious benefit of taking care of the property you own. You can be more certain in the future if you specify the items on your list today. They can also assist in money-saving.
Each preventative maintenance work is intended to maintain the house’s full functionality and help you spot any problems early on. Plumbing difficulties, roof damage, and fires can all be avoided with a little time and work now and again. As a result, regular upkeep and maintenance, just like the car, is necessary to retain a high market value.
What Budget Should You Set Aside For Home Maintenance?
As the owner of the property, you need to understand the budget for the whole maintenance process. There are two allocation methods for home maintenance.
The first option is the 1% rule, according to that maintenance should be funded at least 1% of the home’s sales price. At the same time annual maintenance costs can vary depending on the type of the property: when it was built, the climate in which it is situated, the materials and finishes used, etc.
The second option is putting aside $1 per square foot of the house for annual repairs. This method is known as the square-footage rule. However, it seems a bit contradictory, as even if the residences are similar sized, maintenance expenses for a house with high-end finishes and appliances would be more than for a house with lower-end finishes and appliances.
Keep a close watch on your residence condition for planning the property maintenance budget. If you’re unsure what to do or what condition your home is in, or just do not have time to manage this, it’s never a bad idea to seek professional advice.
What does Property Maintenance Include?
There is a to-do list for both inside and outside of the house for single-family property maintenance. As property maintenance activities vary depending on the weather, we have compiled a list of seasonal actions for your single-family house. It’s vital to remember that each season has its own set of maintenance possibilities and hidden issues.
Fall Maintenance
Fall is a pivotal season for your properties. There’s a lot to do to prepare them for the colder months ahead.
Indoors
- Replace batteries of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Every floor of your home, including the basement, should have a smoke radar.
- Trim branches hanging over the roof as it can scratch the shingles protective covering on the outside because of the storm.
- Replace single-pane windows with storm windows as it will save you up to $350 per year on energy expenses, according to EnergyStar.gov.
Outdoors
- First of all, inspect your forced-air heating system with a professional, then plan an inspection at the end of the summer or beginning of fall, before the start of the heating season
- Examine the fireplace for any damage or risks, after that clean the flies. A fireplace cleaning log can help avoid chimney fires by removing debris that has accumulated along the chimney walls.
Winter Maintenance
Winter weather’s effects on your estate can be severe. For instance, below-freezing weather can result in a variety of issues, such as roof damage and frozen pipes.
Indoors
- Check the sump-pumps. Sump pumps remove water from your basement, crawlspaces, and around your foundation and carry it away from your house. It’s critical to inspect your sump pump twice a year.
- Drain and winterize exterior plumbing and prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Outdoors
- Own a portable generator, if you do not have one, now is a good time to get it. To clarify, generators can keep the house warm until the power provider is able to restore power.
- Your front door should be weather-stripped. Weather stripping is a wonderful way to start to reduce heat loss around your door and save money on your energy bill.
Spring Maintenance
Once the trees have started to blossom, it is important to get your house ready for spring. Therefore, here are general upkeep ideas in addition to your typical spring cleaning.
Indoors
- Change the air filter in your air conditioner. Filter dirt and debris can restrict air passage, putting more strain on your cooling system.
- Polish wood furniture and dust light fixtures as furniture refinishing is an excellent technique to protect the hardwood surfaces in home from scratches while also shining them.
Outdoors
- Remove the lint from the dryer vent with a vacuum, since it’s the best way to ensure that the air is clean inside the house
- Cultivate your yard using fertilizer to assure healthy soil in order to plant nutritious crops
Summer Maintenance
In order to get the hard labor out of the way at the beginning of the season, use our simple summer home maintenance advice. Even if it’s already hot outside don’t worry, the majority of these jobs can be completed in a building.
Indoors
- Oil garage chain and door opener, since the hinges are where you will need to oil the door because they are the reason for a squeaky or creaky door. You might be able to lubricate a squeaky hinge without having to take anything apart to fix it. The hinge pin may need to be removed on occasion.
- Make sure that you have cleaned the kitchen exhaust fan filter. Grease and filth can easily block the fan filters, resulting in foul odors and fires.
Outdoors
- Trees and shrubs should be pruned. Pruning shrubs and trees promotes the formation of flowers, fruit, and new foliage by removing dead or diseased stems and branches and encouraging the growth of flowers, fruit, and new foliage.
- Prevent and reduce bug breeding grounds; start by locating potential water retention areas and eliminating them.
Why Should You Hire a Property Maintenance Company?
A small investment in maintenance and care can save money on future major repair costs. The main objective of property maintenance services is to keep or increase the value of your real estate. As long as you choose to invest in a property maintenance company, you will avoid the unaccepted maintenance concerns such as sizable repairs, moreover, you will have a chance to maintain property value and improve the safety of your estate.
To conclude, experience counts when it comes to looking for property maintenance trusted services. Hence, understanding the service you require and locating a qualified contractor to assist you in completing your project are two of the most critical aspects.
