Home maintenance is becoming increasingly expensive due to inflation, such as increased labor and material costs. For 1 in 3 Dutch people, this is reason to postpone maintenance on their owner-occupied home. And that turns out not to be without risks, because as a result these homeowners worry about the safety of the home (19%) and experience less living enjoyment (38%). This is evident from research by PanelWizard commissioned by Univé among 1,000 Dutch people.
The deferred work ranges from overdue painting of window frames to repairing a leaking roof or replacing an outdated central heating boiler. Because of the high costs, Dutch homeowners are looking for cheaper ways to maintain their homes. For example, half are considering doing their own maintenance. These include painting window frames and walls or applying new kit edges in the bathroom. In addition, 1 in 5 choose to use cheaper materials, despite the potential impact on quality and longevity.
Aware of risks, but still procrastinating
77% of homeowners are aware that delaying maintenance on their owner-occupied home can pose risks. For example, the occurrence or worsening of damage, which can lead to higher future costs or decrease in the value of the home. Yet 40% of these homeowners still postpone maintenance. The urgency is often not felt until problems arise or worsen, such as leaks or faulty systems. About 3 in 5 homeowners who are familiar with the risks of poor maintenance believe the government should intervene to keep maintenance affordable.
'Prevent damage and suffering through timely and quality maintenance'
The timely and proper maintenance of a home is essential - not only for how the home looks, but more importantly for the home's comfort, safety and value. Much damage, such as leaks from old caulk edges or flooding gutters, is easily prevented with basic maintenance. "It is precisely by keeping up with small things - such as cleaning your gutter, keeping up with exterior painting or replacing sealant in the bathroom - that you can prevent major damage," says Erik Dokter, Manager of Insurance at Univé. "This not only saves money and hassle, but also prevents disappointment: damage due to overdue maintenance is usually not insured. That is why we are happy to help our members with free maintenance advice and drawing up a practical maintenance plan. Think of fixed times for checking paintwork, caulking, gutters or having the chimney swept."
