Home Maintenance Cost Calculator

Enter your home's value and square footage to see two classic maintenance budget estimates — the 1% rule and the per-square-foot rule — plus a suggested monthly set-aside. Both rates are editable, and everything runs in your browser.

📖 How it works & FAQ

Home value ($)

Percent-of-value rate (%/yr)

Home size (sq ft)

Rate per sq ft ($/yr)

Why budget for home maintenance?

Every home slowly wears out: roofs age, water heaters fail, HVAC systems need servicing, and paint and caulk dry out. Homeowners who set money aside every month absorb these costs calmly; those who don't get hit with surprise four-figure bills. This calculator turns two widely used budgeting rules of thumb into a concrete annual number and a simple monthly set-aside, so repairs become a line item instead of an emergency.

The 1% rule vs. the per-square-foot rule

The 1% rule says to budget about 1% of your home's value each year for upkeep — a $350,000 home would set aside roughly $3,500 annually. It scales with value, so it can overshoot in hot markets where land drives the price. The per-square-foot rule budgets about $1 per square foot per year, which tracks the physical size of what you actually maintain. Because each rule has blind spots, this tool shows both and suggests a monthly set-aside based on their average. Older homes, harsh climates, and deferred maintenance justify nudging the rates up — both are fully editable. These figures are estimates only, not professional or financial advice; actual costs and rates vary by home, region, and condition.

How to use it

Enter your home's current market value in dollars.
Adjust the percent-of-value rate if you want something other than 1% (older homes often use 2-4%).
Enter your home's size in square feet and tweak the per-square-foot rate if needed.
Read both annual estimates and the suggested monthly set-aside — results update live as you type.

FAQ

Which rule should I trust more?: Neither is "right" — they bracket a reasonable range. If your home's value is inflated by land or location, lean toward the square-footage estimate; if your home is unusually large but modestly priced, the percentage estimate may be more realistic.
Should older homes budget more?: Yes. Many pros suggest 2-4% of value for homes over 25-30 years old, since big-ticket systems fail more often. Raise the editable rates to model this.
Does this include renovations?: No. These rules cover routine upkeep and repairs — servicing, patching, replacing worn components — not remodels, additions, or cosmetic upgrades.
Is my data stored anywhere?: No. Everything is calculated in your browser; nothing is uploaded or saved.