If you’re a homeowner in North Carolina looking to sell your house, you likely need to make some significant and minor repairs before putting your house on the real estate market. You may find that some home improvement projects cost more than others. But which are the most expensive home repairs?
After all, you might need to repair your foundation, roof, or HVAC system, or even remodel after a flood. You will need to know the repair costs for each project before you get started so you can make a budget and set aside the necessary funds. Are you ready to learn more? Then, read on!
The Most Expensive Home Repairs You Can Make
The priciest home improvement projects include fixing the HVAC system and the furnace or water heater. Many of the costliest repairs are structural, which can be involved and time-consuming, like adding a new roof or replacing gutters and shingles. In that context, you could find that roof work can cost as much as $14,000. Still, the typical lifespan of a roof ranges from 15 to 30 years, depending on the type of material you choose.
The average homeowner may need to complete major repairs before putting their house up for sale. Home repairs to make before selling could involve potentially expensive issues like:
- Foundation problems
- Flooding damage
- Water leaks
- Fire damage renovations
- Mold removal
Keep reading for more information about the costs and time investment related to these home repairs.
Foundation Repairs
If your property has cracks and foundational problems, your best bet will be to bring in a professional contractor. They will have the necessary experience to identify the cause and deliver practical solutions to secure your home’s foundation.
Several factors can lead to foundation issues, such as flooding or water damage from leaky pipes, tree roots causing deterioration, termite damage, or other insect infestation.
Water drainage problems could lead to foundational fractures and cracks. In fact, water can seep underneath the house and start to freeze. It can also collect inside the home and cause mold growth. Mold remediation can help and even prevent further foundational issues.
Further, well-designed drainage systems will help prevent your home from facing major foundational and structural issues. Fixing foundational issues can cost anywhere from $4,000 to more than $10,000. The different types of foundational repairs you may need to address before putting your house on the market include:
- Steel pier repairs
- Steel transition pier repairs
- Helical pier repairs
- Drilled pier repairs
- Mud jacking
Steel pier foundational repairs can involve installing huge steel pipes in an interlocking pattern and then filling those pipes with cement. Steel transition pier fixes have a somewhat lower repair cost, as it’s a mix of steel and concrete.
Helical piers provide a longer-lasting solution using steel shafts that are put deep into the ground. Drilled piers are lighter structures in the form of steel cages and concrete. Lastly, mud jacking can level the foundation and/or repair floating slabs.
Roof Repairs
Home maintenance should always extend to your roof. Older homes may need a roof replacement, but minor repairs like fixing broken pipes and loose gutters can breathe new life into your property.
As the roof ages, you’re likely to spend more to repair it since you may need to replace layers of shingles. The cost of repairing a roof will range from hundreds to more than $10,000, depending on materials and whether the work is extensive or a mere tear-off job.
Still, your home’s value should grow if you put in a brand-new roof. Asphalt roofing shingles tend to last at least 15 years, but some manufacturers provide 30-year lifetime warranties for this type of new roof.
The most you can expect to spend on roof repair is $25,000 if you install metal roofing to the top of the house. That might seem steep, but the lifespan of metal roofing can stretch up to 50 years. Once you’ve repaired your roof, you may need to inspect your property for water damage.
Flooding Repairs
Flooding repairs may involve removing mold and mildew along with adding a coat of paint or even electrical work. Repairing water damage costs between $1,000 to $5,000 on average.
Flooding can destroy your floors, walls, and ceiling. Beyond that, moisture in certain parts of your home may lead to mold growth. While flooding and rain storms sometimes lead to water damage, even a leaky pipe or roof, a broken bathtub, or clogged gutters can end up being culprits.
Unsurprisingly, many basements in the United States have had some water damage at some point in their existence.
To prevent water damage from occurring in the first place, you’ll want to perform routine maintenance on your property. Consider the following steps:
- Taking better care of sinks and drains
- Adding a sump pump in case of flooding
- Repairing any damaged siding immediately
You should also keep an eye out for early warning signs. For instance, the paint on your walls may start peeling, or you might notice water marks on your ceiling. You’ll want to urgently inspect anything that could indicate water damage to avoid a situation snowballing into something more serious.
Once you’ve dealt with water damage, you’ll need to repaint your walls and ceiling. Usually, the best colors to paint for a resale are neutral colors, such as light blue, gray, or off-white.
Fire Damage Repairs
Fire damage can be the source of some of the most expensive home repairs you can ever make. If you’ve had a small fire requiring repairs, expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. Larger fires can lead to major repairs that cost up to $25,000. Even a small fire can cause significant damage and lengthy repairs.
The first step in dealing with fire damage is to assess its extent. With that in mind, hire an expert to check the flooring and inspect the affected areas.
Any unsafe parts of your property will need to be blocked off while repairs take place. You’ll also want to remove all water from the space and dry out the house to prevent further damage.
In addition, you’ll need to remove smoke residue and soot from the property before you start restoring your home to its pre-fire state. Experts will use air-scrubbing technology to remove all smoke from the environment.
You’ll also need to clean and sanitize damaged property. That includes trashing unsalvageable items like ruined furniture.
The last, and often the most expensive part of the process, is restoring and renovating the damaged rooms. After all, you may need to reconstruct entire walls or floors. You’ll likely need drywall replacement, carpet removal and installation, or floorboard removal. And, of course, you’ll want to paint your walls and ceiling once you’re done with the repairs.
Average Costs to Repair a Home for Sale
The average cost to repair a house before selling it can be in the thousands. While the amount will vary, you can expect to need to make at least one major repair before selling up.
For instance, HVAC replacement ranges from $5,000 to $12,500. Roof repair costs can also get pricey, with average fees to replace a roof reaching $8,340. You can replace a roof for anywhere from $5,570 to $11,415.
Termite damage can also be an expensive fix, ranging from $2,000 to $8,000. The costs might be even higher if the infestation leads to extensive structural problems.
You can expect to pay anywhere from $3,200 to $25,000 to repair fire and smoke damage. Foundation repairs cost an average of about $4,530, with a range of $500 to $7,060. Mold removal is another common issue faced by homeowners, costing an average of $2,215 but reaching up to $3,330.
You may also need to fix a septic tank, which costs an average of $1,580 and can go up to $2,610. Installing a brand-new septic tank can be as high as $9,810.
Major repairs might seem daunting, but they can greatly increase home value. Indeed, their potential return on investment could still mean you end up profiting from the sale.
Conclusion
The most expensive home repairs often center on the home’s foundation, air conditioning, water damage, electrical system, and septic system. You’re likely to end up paying thousands of dollars to complete the repairs. However, ensuring your home is in excellent condition can lead to a sale and profit.
Certain repairs like roof replacements may cost more than the profit from the home sale. In these cases, you may want to sell your property in its as-is condition to cash home buyers in North Carolina. You can also sell a house fast in Monroe if you pick cash buyers or real estate investors who won’t need to waste time on a mortgage approval process. We buy houses Charlotte locals love, so contact us as soon as you can.