5 Home Maintenance Tasks To Do This Spring — and How Much They’ll Cost
Written by
Paige Cerulli
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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As the weather gets warmer and spring arrives, it’s time to focus on some essential home maintenance tasks. Investing in proactive maintenance can be a great way to protect your home and save money, as it can help prevent larger, much more expensive issues later on.
Since the cost of home maintenance can add up, GOBankingRates spoke with maintenance experts to get estimated costs and money-saving tips to help you afford these services.
Service Your HVAC System
Summer puts a strain on your HVAC system, and you don’t want to discover your air conditioner needs a major repair when you’re in the midst of the hottest days of the year. According to Max Veggeberg, CEO of Tetra, spring is an ideal time for an HVAC tuneup, since you can prepare for the demands of summer.
“Additionally, most HVAC systems require filter replacements every three months and annual to biannual tuneups to ensure proper operation,” he explained. You can schedule a service appointment in the spring, and then a second appointment before the cold winter weather.
Veggeberg estimated that HVAC system tuneups range from $75 to $200, with an average cost being around $120. Factors like your system’s size and age, your location, and your specific service provider will impact those costs.
“To reduce costs, consider signing up for a maintenance contract with your HVAC provider, which often includes discounted tuneup rates and preventative checks,” he recommended. You can also save by changing the air filters yourself, scheduling your tuneups during the off-season, and checking for any special discounts or promotions that a service provider might offer.
Pressure Wash Your Home
Ryan Williams, a pressure washing, exterior cleaning and restoration expert with ARP Wash, recommended that homeowners pressure wash their homes each spring. “Most people do not realize the amount of dirt, debris and mold that likes to accumulate on their home,” he explained.
If dirt and debris remains on your home after the winter, the hot summer weather can essentially bake it onto your house, leaving staining when you try to remove it.
“Here in Dallas-Fort Worth, [pressure washing] is priced by the square foot of the home and averages $0.15 per square foot,” Williams explained. He estimated that a professional operating with insurance would charge about $275 to $425 for a 2,500-square-foot house.
To save on costs, Williams recommended bundling services, such as pressure washing and window cleaning. You could also work with your neighbors to coordinate pressure washing services from the same company on the same day. Since the crew will already be on site, they may offer discounts on your services.
Clean Your Gutters
According to Nathan Mathews, CEO and founder of Roofer.com, spring is the perfect time to clean your gutters to remove debris buildup and fallen leaves that have accumulated after winter storms. Debris can clog gutters and cause water to back up and overflow, potentially damaging your roof, siding and foundation.
“Expect to pay between $100 and $300 for professional gutter cleaning, depending on the size and condition of your home,” Mathews said. “DIY might seem tempting, but it’s an effort that could cost more in the long run if your miss something critical.”
To save on gutter cleaning costs, get quotes from multiple companies. Mathews explained that some roofing companies will bundle gutter cleaning with a full roof inspection, so you’ll get more value from the appointment and the company may spot potential issues before they become large, expensive problems.
Flush Your Water Heater
Spring is also an ideal time to check over your plumbing and flush your water heater. Justin Cornforth, owner and CEO of Ace Home Co., explained that since your water heater is used heavily during the winter, it also accumulates more sediment buildup. If you wait until the summer, that sediment can harden and clog up the system more, making it more difficult to remove.
During the summer, water usage and temperatures rise, especially if you take showers more often and use appliances like ice makers and sprinklers. That increased use can put extra strain on your pipes and heating elements.
Cornforth estimated that having a plumbing professional flush your water heater costs around $75 to $250. “Many plumbers run spring specials since it’s the off-season for emergency calls, so it’s cheaper and easier to schedule than later in the summer,” he explained.
Additionally, you may be able to get a discount for bundling plumbing services, and local utility rebates may also help you save on your plumbing costs.
Tune Up Your Sprinkler System
Your sprinkler system will also need some maintenance before you can rely on it later in the spring and summer.
Ryan Farley, CEO of LawnStarter, explained that tuning up a sprinkler system involves uncovering sprinkler heads that have been buried and cleaning the heads to optimize their water output. “Your system will be turned back on and the different zones will be tested to ensure they’re still in good running order,” he said.
Costs for sprinkler system service vary depending on what’s involved. “If you’re just paying for your system to be brought back on for spring along with basic maintenance, I would expect to pay under $100 for a smaller, simpler system, and up to $200 for a more complex system with lots of zones,” Farley explained.
Learning to do the service yourself can save money, so you can rely on professionals only when your system needs repairs.
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