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Cost of Repairs and Life Expectancy of Components

Repairs, found by your inspector, will likely vary widely. Costs vary depending on time of year, location and neighborhoods.
Costs also vary due to non-visual damage can be found once the contractor has begun to affect repairs. One other caution, as much as it is sad to say, there are unscrupulous contractors who return estimates with un-needed or unwarranted work attached. More than one bid, from reputable contractors is recommended. You are cautioned that estimates vary widely…there is no substitute for actual bids for a contract who is willing to perform the repairs properly.
Choose contractors wisely. It is a conflict of interest for inspectors to make any recommendations and we suggest getting bids from at least three different companies.

As with anything, there is usually a reason a company charges significantly less than others. Companies that have been in business and have a good reputation generally tend to cost a bit more.

National Association of Home Builders /
Bank of America Home Equity
Study of
Life Expectancy
OF Home Components
2007

The National Association of Homebuilders has recently completed a study indicating the probable life span of the various components in a residential structure. This can be helpful for you in planning your future expenses.

Based on experience, I do not agree with all of them, but they are a good basis point to start at. Estimates are in Years.

1. APPLIANCES
Exhaust Fan 10
Compactors 6
Dishwashers 9
Disposers, Food Waste 12
Dryers, Electric 13
Dryers, Gas 13
Freezers 11
Microwave Ovens 9
Ranges, Electric 13
Ranges, Gas 15
Range/Oven Hoods 14
Refrigerators, Compact 9
Refrigerators, Standard 13
Washers 10
Water Heaters, Electric 11
Water Heaters, Gas 10
Air-Conditioners, Room 10
Air-Conditioners, Unitary 15
Furnaces, Warm-Air, Electric 15
Furnaces, Warm-Air, Gas 18

2. CABINETRY & STORAGE
Bath Cabinets Lifetime
Entertainment Centers/Home Office 10
Garage/Laundry Cabinets 100+
Kitchen Cabinets 50
Medicine Cabinets 20+

3. CONCRETE & MASONRY
Brick 100+
Veneer Lifetime
Caulking (for sealer) 2-20

4. DECKS
Wood 20 Dry areas last 20-25, South 10-15, North 20-30.

5. DOORS
Exterior Doors
Fiberglass Lifetime
Steel, Fire-Rated Lifetime
Vinyl 20
Wood Lifetime
Interior Doors
French 30 to 50
Closet Lifetime

6. ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING
Accessories 10+
Lighting Controls 10+
Copper Wiring
Copper Plated Lifetime If used in a non-corrosive environment.
Copper Clad Aluminum Lifetime
Bare Copper Lifetime

7. ENGINEERED LUMBER
Engineered Trim 30
Laminated Strand Lumber Lifetime
Laminated Veneer Lumber 30+
Trusses, Floor Lifetime
Trusses, Roof Lifetime

8. FAUCETS & FIXTURES
Accessible/ADA Products Lifetime
Faucets, Bar/Hospitality 15
Faucets , Kitchen Sinks 15
Faucets, Lavatory 20+
Faucets, Tub/Shower 20+
Faucets, Toilets/Bidets 10 Wear issues depending on use, new cartridges or seals.
Saunas/Steam Rooms 15-20
Shower Doors 20+
Shower Enclosures/Modules 50
Showerheads Lifetime
Toilets/Bidets Lifetime
Whirlpool Tubs 20-50 Lifespan of the rotating engine depends on the use made of
the tub.
Sinks: Kitchen & others
Enamel Steel 5-10
Modified Acrylic 50
Soapstone 100+

9. FLOORING
All Wooden Floors Lifetime
Bamboo Lifetime
Brick Pavers 100+
Carpet 8-10
Concrete 50+
Engineered Wood 50+
Exotic Wood Lifetime
Granite 100+
Laminate 15-25
Linoleum 25
Marble 100+
Slate 100
Tile 75-100
Vinyl 50
Other Domestic Wood Lifetime
Terrazo 75+

10. FOOTINGS & FOUNDATIONS
Poured Footings and Foundations Lifetime
Concrete Block Lifetime Properly built foundations last indefinitely.
Termite Proofing 12 "Pre-treatment during construction: longevity of treatment
depends on disturbance or not of the chemical barriers in place."
Bituminous Coating Waterproofing 10 If it cracks, it is immediately damaged.
Plumbing
Concrete Waste Pipe 100
Cast Iron Waste Pipe 100

11. FRAMING &OTHER STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Poured-Concrete Systems Lifetime
Structural Insulated Panels Lifetime
Timber Frame Homes Lifetime

12. GARAGES
Garage Door Openers 10-15
Light Inserts 20

13. HVAC
Air Conditioners 10-15
Air Quality Systems 15
Boilers 13-21
Dehumidifiers 8
Ducting 10
Furnaces 15-20
Heat Pumps 16
Heat Recovery Ventilators 20+
Thermostats 35
Ventilators 7
Water Heaters, Tankless 20+
Electric Radiant Heater 40
Hot Water or Steam Radiant Heater 15+
Diffusers, Grilles, and Registers 25
Induction and Fan-Coil Units 10-15
Dampers 20+
DX, Water, or Steam 20
Electric 15
Shell-and-Tube 20
Molded Insulation Lifetime Not usually used residentially.
Burners <10 Oil burners need more maintenance and don't last as long as
gas burners.

14. INSULATION & INFILTRATION BARRIERS
Insulation Material
Cellulose 100+
Fiberglass Lifetime
Foam Lifetime
Insulation Type
Batts/Rolls Lifetime
House Wrap Lifetime
Loose Fill Lifetime

15. MOLDING & MILLWORK
Custom Millwork Lifetime
Stair Parts Lifetime
Stairs, Circular & Spiral Lifetime
Stairs, Prebuilt Lifetime
Stairs, Attic Lifetime

16. PAINTS, CAULKS, & ADHESIVES
Adhesives
Roofing 7
Paints & Stains
Paint, Exterior 15+
Paint, Interior 15+ Depends on whether or not it is washable paint.

17. PANELS
Hardboard 30
Oriented-Strand Board 25-30
Particleboard 60
Plywood 60
Softwood 30
Underlayment, Flooring 25
Wall Panels Lifetime

18. ROOFING
Material
Aluminium Roof Coating 3-7
Fiber Cement 25
Asphalt 20
Modified Bitumen 20
Copper Lifetime
Simulated Slate 50
Wood 30
Clay/Concrete Lifetime
Slate 50+
Coal and Tar 30

19. SIDING & ACCESSORIES
Material
Brick Lifetime
Engineered Wood Lifetime
Fiber Cement Lifetime
Manufactured Stone Lifetime
Stone Lifetime
Stucco 50-100
Vinyl Lifetime
Related Accessories
Soffits/Fascias 50 This time period applies for fascia in fiber-cement only.
Trim 25
Shutters
Wood/Exterior 20
Wood/Interior 15+
Aluminium/Interior 10+ Sun can cause the strings to break.
Gutters and Downspouts
Copper 50+
Aluminium 20
Galvanized Steel 20
Downspouts (Aluminum) 30
Downspouts (Copper) 100

20. SITE & LANDSCAPING
Asphalt Driveway 15-20
Polyvinyl Fences Lifetime
Clay Paving Lifetime
Underground PVC Piping 25
Valves 20
Sprinklers 20 Usually made obsolete by advances in technology.
Controllers 15 Lifespan given for areas not prone to lighting strikes.
Tennis Court
Fast-Dry Green Lifetime

21. SITE & LANDSCAPING (Continued)
Asphalt with Acrylic Coating 12-15 Age before requiring major work. Requires recoating every 5-7
years.
Asphalt with Acrylic Cushion 12-15 Age before requiring major work. Requires recoating every
Coating 5-7 years.
American Red Clay Lifetime
Fast-Dry with Subsurface Lifetime Maintenance: average 10 minutes a day per court.
Irrigation Red or Green
Swimming pool
General Lifetime
Concrete Shell 25+
Interior Finish/Plaster 10-15
Interior Finish/Pebble-tec 25-35
Interior Finish/Tile 15-25
Cleaning Equipment 7-10
Decking 15
Waterline Tile 10

22. WALLS, CEILINGS, & FINISHES
Accoustical Ceiling Lifetime Moisture or movement can affect lifespan.
Ceiling Suspension Lifetime
Ceramic Tile Lifetime
Standard Gypsum Lifetime

23. WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS, & GLASS
Glass & Glazing Materials
Window Glazing 10+
Windows
Aluminum/Aluminus Clad 15-20
Wood 30+ Some parts of the window may have to be replaced, so lifespan
may vary.

More Details Can Be Found At
http://www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentID=72475