Here's how to avoid surprises related to home maintenance costs

Alex Marrero and his wife bought their first home this spring in Coral Springs, Florida — and the couple has already spent nearly $17,000 on home maintenance, repairs and installations.

While they knew they needed to make improvements from “the moment they bought the house,” Marrero said, some of them were more expensive than expected.

For example, he estimated that the cost of four hurricane-resistant windows and a garage door would range from $4,000 to $5,000. But after several quotes from contractors, he ended up paying $9,800.

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Since purchasing the home in mid-April, the couple has also hired contractors to refinish the scratched wood floors for a total of $2,200; Installation of a pool safety fence for $1,673; Removing popcorn finish from garage ceiling for $800; He had someone paint the ceiling texture for $650; Cracked ceiling tiles were replaced for $1,670.

“We're still anticipating more expenses,” said Marrero, 33. “I know the pool pump is on its last leg. So, we're preparing.”

Marrero's experience is not unique.

Experts say the “hidden costs” of owning a home, especially repairs and maintenance, can come as a shock to homeowners.

Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) homeowners found the cost of home improvement projects to be the most surprising item in the first six months of home ownership, according to a new report from Angi, an online marketplace that connects homeowners with professional home contractors. . Maintenance or renovations. In late May, the site surveyed a total of 1,000 Americans who had bought a home in the past five years.

“People who live in an apartment probably won't hire home improvement contractors, so I think there's some awareness of the cost of hiring a plumber,” Angi Hicks, co-founder of Angi, said.

“Understanding this process is beneficial for them,” she said.

The average annual “hidden costs” of homeownership is about $18,000 nationwide, according to a separate report from Bankrate.com. Her report estimated home maintenance at 2% annually of the home's value.

Based on these calculations, Bankrate estimated that annual maintenance costs in some of the states with the highest home prices — such as California, Hawaii and Massachusetts — could exceed $26,000 annually.

Meanwhile, in Kentucky, which Bankrate cited as the least expensive state, annual maintenance can cost about $5,000.

Angie found that first-time homeowners are less likely to be aware of these costs than those who have previously owned a home, and are more likely to say they spent more than expected on home maintenance, improvements and emergencies.

“Once you've been a homeowner for a while, you realize everything that can go wrong,” Jeff Ostrowski, an analyst at Bankrate.com, recently told CNBC.

Here are some things you should consider when shopping for a home or as a new homeowner, to help limit maintenance surprises:

In April, about 19% of buyers waived a home inspection, down from 22% one month earlier and 21% a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Sometimes home inspections are skipped because they have to be done in a quick time frame and “you start making choices that may not be ideal” because of the fear of losing the home, Hicks said.

“We're very excited about this,” said Dan Bawden, a residential construction expert and president of Legal Eagle Contractors Co. In Bellaire, Texas, hiring a home inspector is essential.

“This is probably the most important thing you can do,” he said.

Home inspectors typically need one week's notice on average, so keep that in mind when you start inspecting homes, he said.

Ask real estate agents for referrals to licensed home inspectors in your area who will provide comprehensive service, Bawden said.

“Instead of spending $450, you might spend $600 on someone better, but that's money well spent,” he said. “You want them to find as many things as possible.”

A home inspection is an “important component” of the home buying process because you can discover items in the home that can be a “deal breaker,” Hicks said.

Be present for the inspection, if you can.

“If you're there with them, they'll tell you what's urgent or what's serious,” Bowden said.

For example, if a home has many cracks along the doorway or windows, or feels sloping while walking on the floor, there may be underlying problems.

“You don't want to buy a house that has foundation problems. They will get worse over time and will be expensive to fix,” Bowden said.

Other notable deal violations included termite damage and water damage, he said.

An inspection can also help you understand the age of important elements, such as the roof. You can use the inspection to ask questions about these items, and then evaluate whether you have the budget to cover those costs, or whether it's worth asking the seller about, Hicks explained.

Having a complete list of problem areas noted during the inspection can help you prioritize repairs and possibly negotiate the purchase price of the home, Bawden said.

Once you become a homeowner, it will be important to keep up with routine maintenance on your home. “Don't neglect to adjust your air conditioner or furnace,” Hicks said. “It's like changing the oil in your car.”

To avoid surprises, try to inspect your home regularly and look for spots or corners that may need repair. While homeowners are “most critical” of the home when they purchase it, they often don't keep a “critical eye” after moving in, Hicks said.

Perform mechanical system checks at least once a year, in addition to plumbing and electrical system checks, Bowden said.

“You have to be vigilant,” he said.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct a number and quote from Angie Hicks.