Dreaming of being smarter with home repairs and upgrades?

You’re not alone. Every homeowner knows there’s always something around the house that needs repairing, upgrading, or replacing. Figuring out where to really invest your money versus where you can cut corners is tough.

The problem is…

Where should you splurge? Where can you save money? If you mess this part up, it could end up destroying your home’s value.

Here’s the truth:

Most homeowners get it wrong. They waste money fixing/upgrading things that don’t matter and cut corners where they really shouldn’t. According to Verisk’s 2025 report, repair costs have increased by 61% over the last decade.

That means every dollar has to be spent wisely.

The good news?

A little know-how goes a long way. You can protect your home without breaking the bank.

Inside you’ll learn:

  • Where Smart Homeowners Splurge
  • Where You Can Save Money
  • Sneaky Expenses That’ll Catch You By Surprise
  • How to Create a Home Maintenance Plan

Where Smart Homeowners Splurge

You know that household repairs and upgrades are unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean you should cut corners.

Smart homeowners spend money where it matters. Let’s talk about where…

Professional Roof Repair Services

The roof is the most important home investment you can make.

Here’s why:

Roof leaks cause structural damage, mold issues, insulation problems, and destroy property values. Smart homeowners don’t hesitate to spend money on roof repair in Olympia or anywhere else their home may need it. Taking care of your roof takes care of you.

According to data from Verisk, roof repair and replacement costs totaled $31 BILLION in 2024. Roof-related issues now account for more than 25% of all residential insurance claims.

Point being…

Don’t be cheap on roof repairs. Pay to have work done by qualified contractors. Use quality materials. Take care of problems immediately. Water leaks have a nasty way of turning into $10,000 repair projects overnight.

Foundation & Structural Work

Silent killers of your home’s value.

Just because you can’t see foundation problems doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Cracks in your foundation, buckling floors, and sticking doors are sure signs you have some repair work that needs done. Cosmetic damage is one thing. Structural damage is a death sentence for your home’s value.

Professional repair work isn’t cheap. But it beats tearing your house down and starting over.

Cutting corners = Big Mistake.

Upgraded Electrical Work

Don’t mess around with old or faulty electrical work.

It’s a fire hazard.

Done properly, electrical upgrades can also increase your home’s value. Upgrading electrical panels, replacing old wiring, and correcting code violations is never a DIY project. Hire licensed professionals for electrical work. It could save your home from burning down.

Yes, the price will hurt. But electrical fires cause billions of dollars of damage a year.

Where You Can Save Money

There are certain areas of home repair where you can cut costs.

Typically these are projects that don’t require specialized skills. Cosmetic upgrades fall into this category too. Here are a few where you can save…

Cosmetic Updates

Paint, fixtures, and hardware don’t need top-dollar prices.

Paint makes a world of difference. Give any room in your home a fresh coat and it’ll look BRAND NEW. Swap out your cabinet hardware and your kitchen will sparkle. Cosmetic changes are one of the easiest ways to upgrade without spending much money.

Just keep this in mind…

Your guests won’t know the difference between a $300 faucet and a $50 faucet. Don’t break the bank on stuff like this.

Professional Landscaping

You don’t need a landscaper to keep your yard pretty.

Plant some flowers, lay down some mulch, do some basic lawn care. These are all things most people can DIY. Save that money for projects that MATTER. There’s a difference between landscaping and forgetting to mow your lawn once in a while. Don’t be afraid to DIY things that fall into that gap.

Interior Paint

Painting is one of the easiest DIY projects.

Yes, you’ll have to buy the paint. And it takes time. But hiring a professional painter for your interior walls is just insane. How hard is it to slap some paint on a wall?

Expenses That’ll Sneak Up On You

Mother Nature loves to find weaknesses in your home.

Water enters from the most random places. Whether it’s coming through your roof, a pipe burst, or poor grading. Once water damage has occurred, it typically hides for years under your floors and behind walls. By the time you notice it, you’re looking at a $30-$40k repair.

Examples of these types of costly repairs include:

  • Water damage
  • HVAC failure
  • Major appliance failures

This is why regular home inspections, and maintenance are so important. Certain tasks should be performed regularly to minimize the chance of these major dollars sucking problems.

Creating a Home Maintenance Plan

If you wait for things to break before repairing them, you’ll always be broke.

Instead, sit down and create a plan. Decide how much money you’ll allot to home maintenance each year.

I typically recommend…

Setting aside 1-3% of your home’s value each year.

Yes, that can seem like A LOT of money. But it also prevents you from having to ROYALLY FREAK OUT when something huge comes up.

It also gives you the freedom to do things before they become a problem. Schedule that preventative HVAC maintenance instead of waiting for your furnace to DIE on the coldest day of the year.

Know what to fix FIRST.

Not all home repairs are created equal.

There are things around your house that can wait. Things like paint and fixtures. But when your roof is leaking, that needs to be addressed ASAP.

Major repairs to focus on FIRST:

  • Your Roof
  • Structural Issues
  • Standing Water
  • Safety Issues

Cosmetic stuff can wait. Health risks to your home can’t.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Just like you would with your own body, your home requires regular maintenance.

Once you know what maintenance tasks need to be performed regularly, set some reminders. Have them scheduled on your calendar, in your phone, or use one of many home maintenance apps.

This can include…

  • Annual roofing inspections
  • HVAC Tune-ups
  • Plumbing Maintenance
  • Check for pests

Fall prevents HUGE problems down the road.

DIY vs. Hire a Professional

Finally, know what you CAN do yourself and what you should hire a professional to do.

Good DIY Projects:

  • Painting
  • Landscaping
  • Lighting/fixtures
  • Gutter Cleaning

You should ALWAYS Hire a Professional:

Remember when we said cutting corners can come back to bite you? This is where that happens.

Some homeowners try to save money by performing work they aren’t qualified to do. Then they end up paying double to have a professional come out and fix their “DIY” work.

Wrapping it up…

Don’t feel like you need to spend money like crazy on your house.

Homeownership is about spending money where it needs to be spent. Big things like your roof, home’s structure, and upgraded electrical work are things you SHOULD spend money on. Things that add value and prevent larger problems.

Save your money on upgrades that are purely cosmetic.

Paint is paint. You better believe your guests will notice that new faucet…but will they know the difference between a $300 one and a $50 one?

Stick to this formula and you’ll be a smart homeowner in no time.

  • Budget for repairs
  • Inspect your home regularly
  • Don’t be afraid to DIY
  • Know when to hire a professional

Good luck!