Typically by people that don't own their own home and never have. Most everyone else uses the term to describe renovation projects the owners lack the skills to complete (contractors are expensive) or boats. Seriously, how often do y'all think a house needs major repairs or renovation work in the course of 20 years?
It depends on how well the owner maintains the house.
My dad spent some time nearly every weekend doing something around the house.
He did nearly everything himself: painting interior and exterior, plumbing, appliance repair and installation, window frame adjustments.
He even rolled out fiberglass installation in the attic,
and in the process accidentally slipped off a joist and put his foot through the ceiling,
but he fixed the drywall himself.
About the only thing he didn't do himself was re-roof.
I'm sure he saved a ton of money not paying contractors to do all that.
For someone who doesn't do upkeep,
or can't afford competent contractors to do it,
major repairs can happen any time,
without warning.
> For someone who doesn't do upkeep, or can't afford competent contractors to do it, major repairs can happen any time, without warning.
We're in violent agreement here. Home ownership is unforgiving if you lack all ability and the willingness to learn. I'd like to believe that this level of learned helplessness is rare enough in the adult population that it shouldn't factor meaningfully into a discussion of major investment decisions like owning property.
So you're saying there's a mass of helpless financial illiterates walking around unsure of which end of a screwdriver does the work? Depressing if true.
