Maintenance services can be a great way to keep your home, appliances, and other personal items in top condition without the hassle. However, not all services offer value for money. Some services may even lead to more headaches than benefits to you and your family in the long run. Here are 11 maintenance services that you might regret signing up for since they ultimately aren’t worth the costs.
1. Monthly HVAC Check-Ups
You should definitely pay for some kind of regular HVAC maintenance. After all, your heater, ventilation, and air conditioner could have issues that go undetected if you’re not diligent. However, monthly check-ups can be overkill unless you’re in a very harsh climate or have an older system. These frequent services can quickly become costly, and they often involve unnecessary inspections that could be done annually instead.
2. Weekly Lawn Care Services
Taking care of your lawn keeps your home looking nice in the neighborhood. Sometimes it also helps you avoid fines and fees. Weekly lawn care might seem convenient, but it can lead to a dependent lawn that doesn’t thrive without constant professional attention. This not only costs you more in the long run but can also prevent you from learning simple lawn maintenance techniques that don’t require expert help.
3. Daily Pet Walking Services
Many people looking for a side hustle volunteer their services as a dog walker. It can be tempting to sign up for daily walking services when you’re a busy owner. Just keep in mind that these extra payments can add up over time. Moreover, it could reduce your own interaction with your pet, which is essential for bonding and behavioral training.
4. Bi-Weekly Pool Cleaning
Do you own a pool? You may be considering shelling out some of your income toward a bi-weekly pool cleaning service. A bi-weekly cleaning schedule can disrupt the quality and natural flow of your pool’s ecosystem down the line. Learn to test and balance your pool water yourself to save money.
5. Yearly Gutter Cleaning Contracts
Homeowners have a lot to think about and maintain. It can be tempting to hire someone to take care of maintenance services you don’t want to do yourself, such as cleaning the gutters. While keeping gutters clean is vital, yearly contracts often lock you into paying for services you might not need. In many cases, cleaning your gutters yourself or hiring on an as-needed basis is more practical and less expensive.
6. Subscription Car Wash Services
Some people love their cars so much that they think of them as members of the family. They may even give them names! However, you don’t have to baby your vehicle by paying for subscription car wash services. These can be convenient but are usually costly if you don’t utilize them frequently enough to justify the expense. Plus, it leads to wear and tear on your car over time.
7. Smartphone Insurance
According to the Pew Research Center, 97% of Americans own a smartphone across all age groups. Smartphone insurance may be tempting, giving you the peace of mind to know you can get a replacement if your phone gets damaged or lost. The downside is policies often come with high deductibles and premiums. Many people find that saving the money they would spend on insurance and using it for repairs or a new phone if necessary is more economical.
8. Quarterly Pest Control
Nobody wants to deal with bugs, mice, or any other vermin crawling around inside their home. Regular pest control may be essential, especially in certain areas, but quarterly visits aren’t always needed unless you have a persistent issue. Often, less frequent visits combined with preventative measures can be just as effective and more cost-efficient.
9. Extended Warranties
We all have a lot of appliances we rely on every day, from our coffee makers to our washing machines. Extended warranties for these appliances can seem like a smart investment, but they often overlap with existing warranties or cover less than expected. Typically, you’re better off setting aside a contingency fund for repairs if and when they’re needed. Don’t bother with the extra costs right up front.
10. Comprehensive Appliance Service Plans
As mentioned, your appliances functioning properly is important to keeping your life running smoothly. This doesn’t mean you need to spend your hard-earned money on comprehensive service plans. These service plans cover repairs and maintenance for home appliances, which are ultimately too expensive to justify the savings. Often, the cost of the plan over several years will exceed the cost of occasional repairs or even replacement of the appliance.
11. Automatic Heating Oil Delivery
Automatic delivery services ensure you never run out of heating oil, which is great. However, they also lead to purchasing fuel when prices are at their peak. Monitor your own oil usage and buy when prices are lower. This is more economical in the long run.
Spend Wisely
While many maintenance services promise convenience and peace of mind, they often come with a hefty price tag. They also may not offer the expected value that you anticipate. Before signing up, consider the actual benefit it will bring. There may be more cost-effective and practical ways to achieve the same results.
Read More:
Here’s Why You Should Think Twice Before Skipping These 10 Car Maintenance Tasks
5 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Home Maintenance Spending
Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.