The Ultimate Home Maintenance Guide – Part 7 of 7 – Electrical System
If you’ve just bought your first home, sooner or later the question will dawn on you…what do I have to do to maintain it? Or perhaps you’re a long-time home owner and have been blindsided by expensive repairs. Even the wisest among us have been guilty of underestimating the cost of home maintenance and repairs. The changing weather conditions of our amazing location in central Ontario present a variety of challenges you want to stay on top of as the seasons change.
In this seven-part series, we will be laying out the ultimate home maintenance guide (Romana King, Money Sense). Use this guide and feel confident that you have done everything possible to keep your house in top condition, avoid larger costs that result from poor maintenance, and have a budget plan in place so you’re not caught off guard by expensive repairs.
In the final installment of our seven-part series, we will focus on your electrical system.
ELECTRICAL
Home owners are legally allowed to do their own electrical work in Ontario, but if do decide to hire a contractor, they must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Remember, almost all electrical work requires a permit so consult the following link for information on which jobs those are as well as other important information on electrical work safety: https://www.esasafe.com/consumers/home-buying-selling-and-renovating/do-it-yourself/#need-a-permit. If you are not an expert in electrical work, the result can be catastrophic so consider hiring a professional for electrical work.
Annual
Check bulbs, outlets and cords to see that they function and do not show signs of wear.
Every year. $0
Replace batteries and test all detectors.
Every year. $25
Clear dryer lint traps, stove hood vents, bathroom fans.
Every year, or as needed. $0
As Necessary
Rewire entire house, including panel.
One-time cost. $6,000 to $15,000
Replace smoke, carbon monoxide, and radon detectors.
Every 10 years. $150-$400