Home maintenance costs estimated by Kirsty

When I was working, in the first eight years after I moved into my house, I had one largish job carried out each year - paid for out of earnings. So, added Utility room, had new bathroom, completely overhauled kitchen, had Amtico floor laid in through lounge, new boiler, new carpet on stairs and landing and bedrooms, all ground floor ceiling re-done (getting rid of artex), loft extension, en-suite installed. After retirement, I just had essential work carried out, repairs to gutterings and roof, etc. Did most of my own decorating, although, finally, did have to have professional to paint hallway and landing. I reckon that over the eighteen years I was there I spent around sixty grand on improvements and maintenance. So, that averages just over £3000 pa, but that included extensions, not just maintenance.

As the house sold for nearly double what I paid for it, feel it was all very worthwhile in every way.

In the flat, I pay £675 every half year, this is obviously for maintenance and decorating to all public areas, but also included all water rates, building insurance, maintenance for combi boiler and central heating, I now have no worries about roofs, gutterings, fences, etc. Just have to pay small amount for contents insurance and my heating bills are lower here than in the house.
I have used much of the surplus money from my sale to carry out improvements here (fitted wardrobes, new floor, electrification of garage, new bathroom, etc. Really do not see that there are going to be much in the way of maintenance required over next few years.

You can guarantee most the houses with skips, portable loos and workmens' vans in my area are spending 10 times £2,000 on their jobs.
Likewise Franbern is right to say when people move and have downsizing cash available much is spent at the beginning. Maybe £20,000?

It depends on whether you are spending on maintenance or improvements, and whether you live in a new or older house I guess. I would say she’s about right for maintenance if you take into account servicing of central heating, fires, decorating, and essential repairs, including garden.

I din't think she was including replacing white goods and furniture in that figure which you have the option of taking with you if you move.

She was referring to upkeep of the fabric of the building, prompted by a couple who hadn't lifted a paintbrush since moving in. Although they did have cowboys in to do the kitchen which wasn't great and the floor in there was a death trap. It was laminate that was extremely ill fitting and moved up and down as it was walked on. They also had a loft conversion done that didn't meet building regs. I'm guessing by the same people and they were scared of ever employing anyone again. I understand that but the house was showing signs of neglect in virtually every room.

That sounds about right when you average things out. A couple of fence panels replaced, boilers serviced etc can soon add up. Our problem is that we did a whole load of work and decorating when we moved in 10 years ago and the cycle needs to start again decorating wise! Will be one room this year, then another next. Like painting the Forth Bridge!

Once you are living on a small pension this goes out of the window.
Over the last 10 years I have had a new roof [big spend] new double glazing, new radiators replaced, fencing, washing machine, freezer and beds.
Been on small pension now for 5 years and I can cope with new appliances etc but now need a bathroom update and work done in the kitchen no idea how this will be done.

I am 68 but still working so last year I had most of the windows replaced and a new combi boiler (that cost me £2200 But it does have a 12 year warranty) I’m trying to get big things done now because although I have no intention of giving up work in the near future you never know what’s round the corner... and if I stop work I will only have my state pension...