New Home Benefit #3: Everything’s Brand-Spankin’ New!

October 5, 2021

Home buyers are increasingly choosing to build a new home than compete with other buyers for a resale property. Among the other top benefits of buying new vs. resale include the joy of never-before-used cabinets and kitchen appliances, systems and laundry unit, floor and window coverings and more. While landscaping is a cost new homeowners must consider after closing on a home, at least they won’t be paying for a new roof, hot water heater, or stovetop anytime soon!

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Even in the best-case scenarios most components of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems last 15 to 25 years. Furnaces on average last 15 to 20 years and air conditioning units 10 to 15 years. Tankless water heaters last more than 20 years, while an electric or gas water heater has a life expectancy of about 10 years. Thermostats usually are replaced before the end of their 35-year lifespan due to technological improvements.

A new furnace can cost between $2,000 to $10,000, depending on efficiency and size, but if the home is all electric and you have a heat pump-air handler system, they can range from $5,000 to $15,000.

Carpeting and Flooring Lifespans

Most manufacturers say carpet should last for 10 to 15 years with regular cleaning and maintenance. But even the best of the best carpet on the market will likely need replacing after 25 years. Often within 10 years, signs of wear will begin to show on the major walkways and the carpet fibers start losing their texture and tuft. A hallway that is used frequently throughout the day may need to be replaced sooner than a bedroom.

According to Home Advisor, to replace carpet involves the cost of the carpet itself which can run from $2 per square foot for polyester and basic olefin to upwards of $9 to $11 per square foot for wool and patterned Berber. Carpet installation costs are usually quoted based on bare subfloors so there’s a cost to remove old carpet when the time comes for a replacement.

If stairs need to be re-carpeted, that’s considered a specialty installation and costs more. Without considering the moving of furniture or special cuts, the cost to install carpet in a 12×12-foot room should cost between $300-$750. On average, homeowners pay between $763 and $2,521 just for carpet install or labor.

Wood floorings have a life expectancy of 100 years or more, but to refinish hardwood floors can run between  $850 and $1,260, per 200 square feet of flooring (moving furniture, sanding, staining and finishing). Marble, slate and granite are also expected to last for 100 years, and can cost between $10 to $20 per square foot installed. 

The Life Expectancy of Appliances

The average lifespan for a well-maintained refrigerator is between 10 and 14 years, depending on model and size. The life expectancy of your refrigerator is affected by how well it is cared for and its construction. Some models may last only about 10 years, while others may run for up to 19 years. New refrigerators can cost between $1200 and $4,000 and a new stove and range between $800 and $2,500 – possibly plus installation.

A washing machine should operate efficiently for between 10 and 13 years. A dryer about the same time. An oven should last for between 11 and 15 years and a dishwasher, 9 and 13 years.

Replacing Roofs, Siding and Gutters

The life expectancy of a roof depends on weather conditions, material and construction quality, and plenty of maintenance. Slate, copper, and clay/concrete roofs have the longest life expectancy—over 50 years. Asphalt shingles last about 20 years while roofs made of fiber cement shingles have a life expectancy of about 25 years, and roofs made of wood shakes will likely last for about 30 years. The average cost to replace a roof (on a 1500-square foot home or footprint) is $9,000.

Exterior materials like brick, vinyl, engineered wood, stone (both natural and manufactured), and fiber cement will last as long the house does. Gutters have a life expectancy of more than 50 years if made of copper and for 20 years if made of aluminum. Copper downspouts last 100 years or more, while aluminum ones will last 30 years.

And finally, exterior paints can last for three to 10 years – depending on the color you choose. Darker colors tend to absorb more sunlight, causing them to fade faster and even flake away. This means the sunny side of your home may need to be repainted in three to five years for a dark paint, and five to seven years for a light paint, if the sheltered side can be expected to last for 10 years.

Brand New in SOUTHSHORE

We hear it again and again – everything in a new home is SO NEW! No one’s ever used the plumbing, the appliances, walked on the carpets or prepared a meal in the kitchens. Residents in Southshore enjoy multiple amenities like two rec centers, easy access to shopping, entertainment and the kind of recreation lake lovers can’t live without! Check out the homes here from Richmond American, Century Communities, Toll Brothers and Taylor Morrison, from the $500s.