I hear it all of the time, “Homes are not made like they used to make them.” With all of the advances made in home materials and construction, is this statement true? In my opinion, no.
Maybe profit gets in the way more today than previous decades. There may be more pressure on builders today to sacrifice quality in an effort to meet deadlines and maintain profit margins. However this line of reasoning is pure speculation. We need answers! So I went straight to the source and asked a local builder, Bill, the question. He replied, “Baloney. The problem is people do not maintain homes like they used to maintain them.”
Basic principles are lost on many people today. Consider fiscal responsibility. In my opinion, many people fail at managing money. Why else is the average consumer spiraling into massive debt? I am not surprised that they fail at managing their home as well. When a person charges $100 for an item of clothing, is he aware that it will cost, on average, four times that amount by the time the debt is paid off? (With accruing interest and late fees). Likewise the same person is unaware that an improperly caulked tub may cost thousands of dollars to repair in just a few years. (From fungus damage to sub floor and / or framing).
Bill told me that homes today, with construction and materials, are built to last at least 300 years if the owner maintains them properly. My advice to all: maintain your home on a regular basis. Both your home and pocketbook will appreciate it.
See my next posting detailing common maintenance routines.
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