[billethkid]

I was just curious since the last few weeks we have had a few challenges (home built 2004);

>pool pump and motor replaced
>bathroom fixture leaking, repair kit installed
>Leak in pool solar panel (under warranty)
>double door garage door springs broken/replaced.

Just to name the most current.
Share with us your experience(s).

[CFrance]

Do you mean structural or cosmetic? We're replacing carpeting now (home built 2011; first occupied Feb. 2012; carpeting needed replacing by 2014). Have had both garage doors fixed, once each. Seal failure in one john early 2013. Two refrigerator repairs. Cracks in stucco and cracks & chips in tile flooring. Roof vent repair (2).

[billethkid]

Anything. We too over the years have replaced all the carpet in the house and now all tile.

New cook top 2013...old one shorted out.
New refrigerator 2014.....just because she wanted a new one with freezer on the bottom!

[Chatbrat]

Before we moved in got rid of all carpeting, installed granite counters, changed all ceiling fans and builder line interior fixtures, later got rid of all installed shades/blinds,installed a vessel sink in guest bathroom, installed whole house water filter and electronic descaler, had vinyl windows installed in the lanai--not moving while I'm still vertical

[graciegirl]

I see the maintenance and replacement here the same as other homes we have lived in, except the sun seems to be rough on painted exterior parts.

Light fixtures and other accessories should be replaced about every twelve years because they look out of style. We had 57 windows in our last house and they were wood casing and a good brand but several lost their seal and had some dry rot happening here and there. We built the home and I think it was well built...but when we were here during the winter, a woodpecker made a hole and a nest. Types of hardwood flooring go in and out of style. Skinny boards are out right now. Flooring in general change even if it doesn't wear out.

Carpeting gets VERY Dirty here. You can see evidence of the dirt in the air by how often things have to be wiped off on the lanai, that makes the exteriors look dingy. Houses will settle and we have a lot of sand under us...and limestone that water eats at.

We have had many homes. We built all but one. This is on par with most of them.

[DangeloInspections]

Great question.

Here are a few VERY general guidelines. Of course, longevity of products can be impacted by how well things are maintained, etc. Generally, you take good care of your stuff and it will take good care of you.

The two largest expenses on a Florida home is the roof and the A/C system. Roof life is contingent on the slope of the roof, the color, and if trees are over them, etc.

An average roof in Florida "should" last 15-18 years. Cost of course is up to how big your roof is. They do NOT do re-roofs here, and a reroof is never a good idea anyway.

Your A/C system "should" last 12-15 years.....perhaps longer with GOOD maintenance and service with cleanings 1-2 times a year. A new system can easily cost $5,000 to $7,000....perhaps more if you buy a higher SEER rated A/C system.

Water heaters usually last (in The Villages) 15-20 years. Of course, almost no one does annual maintenance on them like the manufacturer's recommend. A Plumber replacing one can cost towards $800-$1,000.

Garage door springs usually start breaking at the 10 year mark. One should always replace them in pairs. This is generally NOT a DIY project. I usually recommend Ryan O'Cull for this. It is not the dumbest idea to do this sometime after the ten year mark, as I personally would rather be pro-active than reactive and replace things on MY schedule instead of when fate decides. Too often these things happen on holidays or when you are out of state....

So it is easy to see that it is wise to budget a few thousand a year for such things so one is prepared and not adversely affected by replacement costs.

Most other things mentioned here are cosmetic things....and that is of course up to your personal taste.

Hope this helps.... Frank D.

[Carla B]

Home was built 2008. Stucco on front of both garage and golf cart garage blistered and had to be replaced in 2016. Warranty didn't cover it. Exterior also was repainted due to the low quality of the original paint. Roof was replaced compliments of Owens Corning (2014?)

Landscaping has been the biggest headache because everything grows so FAST!. The oak tree in front started out pygmy size but is now enormous and will require many $$ to trim before it wraps its gnarly branches around the house; but one of us loves it!. I, however, envy those who had the foresight to remove theirs before it got to be 4" in diameter.

Oh, yes, the carpet needs replacing. Fortunately, it's just the three bedrooms.

[Packer Fan]

Originally Posted by Carla B

Home was built 2008. Stucco on front of both garage and golf cart garage blistered and had to be replaced in 2016. Warranty didn't cover it. Exterior also was repainted due to the low quality of the original paint. Roof was replaced compliments of Owens Corning (2014?)

Landscaping has been the biggest headache because everything grows so FAST!. The oak tree in front started out pygmy size but is now enormous and will require many $$ to trim before it wraps its gnarly branches around the house; but one of us loves it!. I, however, envy those who had the foresight to remove theirs before it got to be 4" in diameter.

Oh, yes, the carpet needs replacing. Fortunately, it's just the three bedrooms.

Our house is 3 years old and we just cut down the ugly 3" trunk tree in front. Glad we did!

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

Great question.

Here are a few VERY general guidelines. Of course, longevity of products can be impacted by how well things are maintained, etc. Generally, you take good care of your stuff and it will take good care of you.
(..............................)
Hope this helps.... Frank D.

Thanks Frank. You are ALWAYS such a wonderful resource here. Knowledgeable, trusted, straight, and honest. Oh BTW - YOU are the BEST at house inspections too. We used Frank for our warranty-end 1year inspection 2 years ago. So thorough... Even tho little was found (good) it was GREAT peace of mind after the warranty expired (REALLY good).

[asianthree]

Built in 12/09, need exterior paint. Outdoor hanging covered porch light fell and broke. Textured drive repaired. Carpet replaced with tile. New irrigation box. Leak in hvac. Bathroom faucet leak. Garbage disposal replaced. So far that's everything.

[Fraugoofy]

...

[rubicon]

Built 2006

repainted interior

repainted exterior

Replaced carpet in bedrooms

replaced water heater

Replaced HVAC unit

Replace all appliances

Replaced two motors for spa last one cost me $1100

replaced one garage door opener

Refinished garage

repainted lanai and bird cage

Removed pop corn ceilings

Replaced three water shut offs

will do what needs to be done to maintain the house for safety, convenience, aesthetics for the sake of my neighbors and me

[aninjamom]

House built in 09, just had to replace the HVAC this year, and the over the range microwave. The house needs painting, need to pay off the HVAC first!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

Great question.

Here are a few VERY general guidelines. Of course, longevity of products can be impacted by how well things are maintained, etc. Generally, you take good care of your stuff and it will take good care of you.

The two largest expenses on a Florida home is the roof and the A/C system. Roof life is contingent on the slope of the roof, the color, and if trees are over them, etc.

An average roof in Florida "should" last 15-18 years. Cost of course is up to how big your roof is. They do NOT do re-roofs here, and a reroof is never a good idea anyway.

Your A/C system "should" last 12-15 years.....perhaps longer with GOOD maintenance and service with cleanings 1-2 times a year. A new system can easily cost $5,000 to $7,000....perhaps more if you buy a higher SEER rated A/C system.

Water heaters usually last (in The Villages) 15-20 years. Of course, almost no one does annual maintenance on them like the manufacturer's recommend. A Plumber replacing one can cost towards $800-$1,000.

Garage door springs usually start breaking at the 10 year mark. One should always replace them in pairs. This is generally NOT a DIY project. I usually recommend Ryan O'Cull for this. It is not the dumbest idea to do this sometime after the ten year mark, as I personally would rather be pro-active than reactive and replace things on MY schedule instead of when fate decides. Too often these things happen on holidays or when you are out of state....

So it is easy to see that it is wise to budget a few thousand a year for such things so one is prepared and not adversely affected by replacement costs.

Most other things mentioned here are cosmetic things....and that is of course up to your personal taste.

Hope this helps.... Frank D.

Frank is an ethical and trusted inspector. A member of this forum for many years.

[blueeagle65]

In 13+ years: Microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, stove and all flooring replace plus minor repairs to A/C.