If it Ain't Broke, Don't Fix it!

[cschin4]

I think we are being sold a bill of goods in the form of "preventative maintenance" for our homes, self and everything else. If I followed all the "recommendations" of experts I would be spending alot of money for unnessary inspections, maintenance, etc. For example, do you routinely have your furnace "serviced" each year or just when you have a problem? What are your thoughts?

[disneysteve]

I agree. We've owned our home for nearly 13 years and have never had "preventative" maintenance done a single time for any reason. We also don't carry the service contracts offered by the utility company or the HVAC company that put in our furnace and AC unit. If something breaks or needs service, we just pay for it.

Now that is not to say that I totally ignore things. I make sure the filters are changed regularly, I clean the AC unit, check that the furnace is functioning properly, have a CO detector installed, clean the dryer vent, etc.

I think many people spend lots of money on service that is of questionable value.

[cicy33]

We also don't pay for extra warranties that expire right before something breaks! The only exceptions to that are: My jeep, bought it used and so bought a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty. Did this cuz my last vehicle for some I had bought it and the front end went out about 6 months into the warranty and my cost for work was $150 and the warranty had to pay out about 900! The other exception is cable and cell phone. I do pay the cost to have the cable lines repaired if something breaks in or outside and cell phone pay to be able to replace it cheaply. But the furnace, we do change the filters and stuff but no warranty was purchased with it.

[project15]

I just paid $200 for preventative maintenance on my wife's car. I think that was worth it even though it only has 30k miles.

I'd do my own work if I could, but I don't have the tool that flushes the fuel system nor the time to flush the coolant system. I'm doing the spark plugs, air filter, and other small things myself though.

[disneysteve]

I wasn't thinking of car maintenance. I absolutely do that. I was only thinking of home stuff.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Well, I did have the sewer line leading out to the main line preventatively routed out when we first moved here. I do not regret it as there are tall trees nearby and I do not know how many trees there may have been in the past. (Roots in pipe concern.) In fact, that $12 a month sewer line insurance that disneysteve said no to? I'd be tickled to get insurance like that.

Ever since living in this neighborhood, I have seen private property sewer lines have to be replaced. I live a the top of a Hill. The replacements started toward the bottom of the Hill, and year by year, I've seen the repairs creeping uphill closer and closer to us. Our sewer is deep as there is a floor drain in the basement. It runs the longest direction possible to get to a main line. And there is concrete porch, sidewalk, and garage covering the whole distance. There also is not access to the backyard for digging equipment as houses are on both property lines and the garage blocks all but bout 30 inches space coming off the back alley! If ever this sewer must be replaced it will cost us bigtime.

But generally, yes, I agree that a lot of the supposedly preventative stuff just doesn't need to be done. Or is so easy to do one's self.

[JanH]

We've learned the hard way. We have a contract with a termite company. This house has had termites several times. Without a contract, we paid a lot! The last time didn't cost us except for the yearly fee. Yep, we could save the money, but the previous owners had termites and we have had them twice in a little over a decade. It pays for itself quickly like that. Also, we have a a/c-heater contract. It, too, has paid for itself several times. They have caught things and manage to keep our old a/c functioning year after year. They may have saved our lives when they caught the furnace problem. It just about melted through and we wouldn't have known it. I haven't had to pay for most repairs. They are covered under the contract. Both contracts run about 160 per year apiece. (We did have to pay for a new furnace, but it has had replaced parts twice and no charge.) We don't buy warranties for appliances, though.

[PRICEPLUS]

I have the furnace and the central air checked once a year so as to avoid even more costly repairs or replacement down the road. I think it money well spent.

[Fern]

The furnace is not something i want to take chances with. esp. in the dead of winter.

I skip many of the recommended car tune-ups as they always cost minmum $500, no matter what.

when my car hits 100,000 in mileage, I'll buy AAA.

Appliance warranties are definitely not worth it. Any other kind of maintenance or preventative stuff i try to do myself.

[cschin4]

I think alot of people buy things to "save money" when in reality the things they bought are expensive and it would take years and years to realize any savings. I am not so easily sold on the "buy this because you will save money" mantra.

[jIM_Ohio]

Before buying a house, hire a home inspector for $300. If he finds something, anything, he'll save you much, much more than $300. If he did not find anything, good for you.

he'll craw on roofs, check for gas, CO, check doors, electirc etc... and can find many things which could add up to a couple thousand easy.

There is a web site which lists ~30 things to check each year for "maintainence". If you want a link, I'll find it.

[thebetterlifenow]

Originally Posted by project15

I just paid $200 for preventative maintenance on my wife's car. I think that was worth it even though it only has 30k miles.

I'd do my own work if I could, but I don't have the tool that flushes the fuel system nor the time to flush the coolant system. I'm doing the spark plugs, air filter, and other small things myself though.

Definitely over doing it there. You can put those things off until 100k miles. (except for air filter, etc) Most new cars don't require spark plugs or even a tune up until 100k miles. And most manufacturers tell you to go 5,000 or more miles between oil changes.