1. The roof

Cost

• The average cost to repair roof leaks on a 10 foot by10 foot area of asphalt shingles is around $650.
• The total costs ranges from $500 for simply replacing theshingles,to $1,750 to repair and apply a sealant.
• The costs to repair a tile roof are around $,1500 for damagedsteel tiles.
• The total costs for this type of repair range from $450 forrepairing metal flashing to $8,000 if the underlayment needsreplacing.

Money-saving tips

• Minimize the damage to the roof by tacking a tarp over thedamaged area until it can get repaired.
• Remove ice dams as soon as possible to prevent water frombacking up beneath the shingles and causing more damage.
• Remove the snow on the roof as soon as possible to prevent newice dams from forming and causing future problems.
• Look into getting better attic insulation, as this will help toprevent ice dams in the future as well.

2. Gutters

Cost

• The costs of gutter repair range from new downspouts to acomplete gutter replacement.
• The average cost of installing new downspouts is$160, with a total range of $4 for a do-it-yourself job to $160 fora medium-size house.
• The average cost of installing new gutter guards to helpprevent damage is $200 for do-it-yourself on 200 feet, with a rangeup to $3,600 for 200 feet if a luxury product installed.
• The average cost of replacing your gutters is between $1,050and $2,400 for 200 feet, with total costs ranging from $625 for ado-it-yourself job to $2,400 for professional installation.

Money-saving tips

• You can help lower costs by cleaning the gutters before winterbegins and removing ice dams in a timely way.
• PVC gutters and downspouts cost less than aluminum or copper,but you should choose what best fits your house's aesthetic.
• Heating elements are available that can help melt ice in yourgutters all winter long; you may want to invest in these whilehaving repairs done to help prevent problems.
• Gutter screens are the easiest thing to install do-it-yourself,which can save installation costs in the future, as well.

3. House exterior

Cost

• The average cost to paint a home's exterior is between $2,500 to$3,000 for a 1,500-square-foot home.
• The total costs range from $500 for a do-it-yourself paint jobto $4,000 for homes that have a lot of trim and woodwork topaint.

Money-saving tips

• Using multiple colors on your home can increase its aesthetic,but can also increase the total cost, as can having a lot ofdifferent architectural features or trim to paint.
• Do-it-yourself jobs can save a lot of money. Be sure to scrapethe existing surfaces well, then apply a primer and two coats ofpaint to avoid having to repaint again soon.
• Aluminum siding and fiber cement can be painted to freshen uptheir colors and give a home a new look without replacing thesiding.

4. Siding

Cost

• The average costs to repair siding range from $300 to$1,000, depending on the type of the siding being damaged, and theextent.
• Vinyl is the least expensive material to repair, as well as oneof the easiest to do yourself, while aluminum is among the mostexpensive to repair with costs ranging from $500 to $900.

Money-saving tips

• The cost to hire a carpenter to repair siding is around $40 to$50 an hour. If you are able to repair it yourself, you can usuallysave a considerable amount of money.
• Both aluminum and vinyl are often replaced during repair jobs.Shop around to get a good color match so you don't need to replaceas large a section.
• Repairing wood siding almost always will require the newsection to be painted as well. Painting it yourself can help saveon labor costs.

5. Driveway

Cost

• The average cost to pave a driveway in either gravel orasphalt ranges from $800 to $1,990 for a 38-foot by 16-footdriveway.
• The total costs range from about $300 for a graveldo-it-yourself job to $14,880 for a driveway laid with brickpavers.

Money-saving tips

• If you have a lot of curves or grades in your driveway, thiscan increase costs.
• Sealing an existing driveway with tar can help prevent potholesand major cracks by filling up the smaller cracks before they havea chance to expand.
• Gravel is a less expensive way to fill a driveway, but thesmall stones frequently get scraped away by plows, allowingrainwater to form potholes. Therefore, paving a driveway withasphalt may be a longer term solution, saving money in the longrun.

6. The foundation

Cost

• The average cost to repair a foundation that hasbeen badly damaged ranges from $5,000 to $7,000.
• Costs can be affected by the need for an inspection, howwidespread the damage is and what types of repairs that may needed.Small cracks that only require sealing can cost as little as a fewhundred dollars, while major cracks will require more extensivework.

Money-saving tips

• If you need extensive work done on the foundation, you may wantto get at least three estimates from different repair companies totry to find the best pricing for the job.
• Remember that landscaping may be affected by foundation work.Nearby shrubs or plants may need to be replaced after the work hasbeen done.
• Having a trench dug for a well pump at the same time thefoundation work is done can help prevent problems such asflooding.
• Always inspect the foundation each spring and seal any minorcracks you find to help prevent more extensive work.

7. Trees

Cost

• The average cost of tree trimming is around $591per tree, assuming a total of five trees to be trimmed atonce.
• Costs range from about $227 per tree for a do-it-yourself jobto $709 per tree for large trees during peak trimming seasons. Allcosts should include the equipment necessary to do the job andhauling away the cut limbs.

Money-saving tips

• If you have a large number of trees on your property, and areconsidering having some of them removed, you can sometimes get yourtrimming done for free by allowing the company to remove a certainnumber of trees for their own use.
• To ensure that the work is done properly, always hire a companythat is registered with the Tree Care Industry Association. Do notallow workers on your property that wear spike-soled shoes, asthese can damage the trees.
• Check with your utility company before hiring someone to do thejob, as some companies will trim trees located near power lines atno cost to you.

Take care of your home

Yuka Kato is a media analyst for Wilmington,Del.-based cost information website How Much. Contact her at [email protected].Related:

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