• Full Home Rewiring: $4,000 plus.
• New HVAC Units: $2,500 to start.
• Complete Roof Replacement: $5,000 plus.
• Major Foundation Repairs: $10,000-$30,000.
• Plumbing: $2,000 for serious issues.

Here’s an essential regular home maintenance checklist every American homeowner should perform:

• Sewer Pipes: Roots from trees living close to your home can clog sewer pipes and cause sewage to back up into your home. Be sure to have a professional sewer and drain company clear your home’s line at least once a year.
• Water heater: Indications of corrosion or leaks mean trouble. Flushing your water heater helps rid it of mineral deposits that can hasten corrosion. Check the pressure release valve yearly to prevent an explosion.
• Wiring: Look for cracks, breaks, tears and anything that looks like a fire hazard. Check outlets and fixtures for anything that might be loose and cause electrocution. Call in an electrician for any needed repairs and adjustments: Wiring is something you don’t want to DYK.
• HVAC: Change air filters every 30 to 90 days to take the strain off your HVAC system and extend its life. Annual maintenance checks by a professional technician for the air conditioning in the spring and the furnace in the fall will allow your home to avoid breakdowns during the hottest and coldest times of the year.
• Roofing: Remember, some of the most pricy and imperative home repair issues come from above and your home’s first line of defense. Undiscovered and unattended to leaks can lead to water damage and rot. Check areas of penetration such as skylights, flashing and vents. Unclog gutters and ensure that downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
• Termites: Forget water, wind and fire, termites pose the greatest threat to your home’s wood structures. Look for signs of their wood-terminating presence and call in a termite control professional and repair any structural damage.
• Wet Basements: The potential disasters are multi-fold: Improper grading, downspouts dumping water too close to the foundation, a concrete patio or driveway angled downward toward the foundation and butting against it. All these issues can cause water seepage and eventually structural damage. Eliminate basement leaks with waterproofing.
• Foundation Damage: Remember, an average $10,000-plus repair bill awaits homeowners dealing with major foundation issues. Inspect the basement, crawlspaces and foundation for signs of water penetration and foundation movement such as drywall cracks, door frames out of square and uneven floors.
• Mold Remediation: Mold growth larger than 10 square feet requires professional remediation due to its serious health hazards. Look for the telling signs of mold: Water stains, water damage and areas of obvious excessive moisture. To prevent mold from growing, eliminate the source of the moisture, fix leaks and properly ventilate any damp areas.