How to reduce home maintenance costs amid surge in bills

However, average property upkeep costs in the UK are now equivalent to 70% of the cost of the average mortgage, according to new data from Checkatrade.

The research shows that homeowners spend an average of £627 a month on total maintenance costs versus an average UK mortgage cost of £898. 

They added: “This can also be compared to the value of a home. The average annual cost for maintenance is £7,530 – equivalent to just under 3% (2.8%) of the average UK’s home’s total value.

“With the average homeowner staying in a home for nine years, this means that they will spend £67,770 maintaining each property they own.”

While this may seem daunting, Checkatrade have provided some tips to try and prevent major costs from being incurred.

6 tips to help reduce your home maintenance costs

Clear your gutters

On average, regular gutter cleaning costs up to £150, which may seem like an expense, but neglecting it could lead to severe blockages.

If left unaddressed, clogged gutters can cause dirty water to overflow down brickwork, potentially resulting in up to £1,500 in damage and cleanup costs.

Regular gas safety checks 

Annual gas safety checks ensure that your heating system and appliances are working efficiently and safely, preventing costly emergency repairs or hazardous incidents.

This eliminates the risk of a boiler breaking down unexpectedly, which could result in the installation of a whole new boiler, costing anything from £2,500.

The cost of avoiding maintenance

Although maintenance requires some spending, it can save money long term; early fixes and routine inspections prevent costly issues.

Free tools like Checkatrade’s Home Health Report can be used to assess your home at the click of a button. 

It offers tailored maintenance advice by identifying potential issues before they escalate and can also contribute to energy efficiency.

Check your insulation

Proper insulation, such as loft insulation and draught-proofing, reduces heat loss and lowers energy bills.

Investing in these upgrades (some of which are very quick and easy) can lead to substantial savings in the long run on heating costs.

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Spotting roof damage

Spend five minutes checking your roof for any signs of wear and tear; this may be a loose tile, a damp smell, or a wet patch.

Often, a problem that might have seemed to suddenly appear has been an issue for a while as a result of the smallest amount of mortar missing. It’s even more important to check this after heavy rain!

Regular plumbing maintenance

Routine checks for dripping taps, slow drains, and pipe corrosion can extend the lifespan of your plumbing system and help avoid costly leaks and water damage.