How Often Should You Really Update Your Home?

Oct 12

3 min read

If you know us, you know we love an old home. Give me that hidden laundry shoot, a sunken tub, leaded windows, and a wall-mount pencil sharpener, and I am happy as a clam. But once I am actually inhabiting the space, I wonder which features can be preserved as “character,” and which stand to be updated.

On the other end of the spectrum, those of you who bought your home brand new a few years ago may also wonder about updates. Given that your home is still practically brand new, you should be able to coast for a few years without doing anything, right?

It is not always clear if an update is warranted, and not every part of your home ages at the same rate. Strategic updates are the way to go, ensuring your home is functional and attractive for the duration of your ownership.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make that happen, here is your playbook:

Keep it Fresh

Focus on refreshing and maintaining your home every couple of years. Consider:

Touching up interior paint
Deep cleaning soft surfaces (carpets, couches, and curtains)
Checking tub, shower, and sink caulking
Topping off flower bed mulch/rock
Replacing worn weatherstripping
Cleaning gutters and pressure washing exterior surfaces

These are inexpensive, mostly DIY projects that go a long way to ensuring your home looks its very best.

Cosmetic Updates

You don’t need to be a slave to the trends. (In fact, please don’t.) Subtle, timeless style updates will pack a powerful punch and make your home feel chic and modern. Consider addressing the following aspects of your home every 5-10 years:

Painting interior walls
Auditing dated light fixtures, faucets, bathroom mirrors, and cabinet hardware
Installing fresh window coverings
Replacing/repairing flooring where there are signs of wear
Upgrading aged kitchen appliances

Major Investments

Every 10-20 years, your home will likely need major attention. Components that wear out over time, no matter how well they are maintained, include:

Roof
Exterior paint
Heating/cooling systems
Water heater
Deck repair/maintenance
Kitchen appliances
Windows

These biggies are the reason your home is comfortable; they also make your home more efficient and keep it in good working order (and protect the resale value).

Should I Replace or Repair?

When in doubt, repair! But replacing may make more sense if the component in question is broken, is becoming obsolete or expensive to maintain, no longer meets your needs, and/or updating it has the potential of improving your everyday life.

Avoid Remodeling for Resale

I have addressed this topic before; read about it in more detail: The Case for Not Renovating Before Selling.

TLDR? Renovations do not always pay off. Prioritize projects you’ll enjoy if you plan to stay in your home for years to come. But for resale, your biggest return is a home that is clean, well-maintained, and functional.

Winter, spring, summer or fall — seasonal expenses include keeping the grass, irrigation, tree trimming/maintenance, snow removal, pest control, pool/hot tub maintenance, etc. and any tools, supplies, and equipment you need to complete these tasks (if you are not hiring a service provider). The bigger your home and yard, the more expensive it will be to maintain.

The Bottom Line

If you have a passion for remodeling and the budget to do so, you can turn your home into a perpetual project. (And consider documenting your work on Instagram; I am here for that content.)

But if that is not your jam, your home does not need a complete overhaul every few years. To take the very best care of your home and ensure that it is a joyous place to live for years to come, focus on small, consistent maintenance tasks, an occasional refresh here and there, and replace/repair/remodel as needed.