A well-built property can last for hundreds of years, but many of its components must be replaced or renovated regularly during this period. When purchasing a new property, it is important to include within your budget an amount for repairs and renewals to the property itself, in addition to the largely cosmetic changes most new owners make to their properties. The following list of approximate life expectancies of different building components is published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). A list of estimated replacement costs is available for free download.
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APPLIANCES
Trash Compactor
Dishwasher
Garbage Disposer
Dryer
Freezer (compact)
Freezer (standard)
Microwave oven
Range (freestanding and built-in, electric)
Range (freestanding and built in, gas)
Range (high oven, gas)
Refrigerator (compact)
Refrigerator (standard)
Washer (automatic and compact)
Exhaust fan
BATHROOMS
Cast iron bathtub
Fiberglass bathtub and shower
Shower door (average quality)
Toilet
CABINETS
Kitchen cabinets
Medicine cabinet/bath vanity
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LIFE SPAN
(in years)
10
10
10
10
12
16
11
17
19
14
14
17
13
20
50
10-15
25
50
15-20
20
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COUNTERTOPS
Laminate
Ceramic tile (high-grade installation)
Wood/butcher block
Granite
DOORS
Screen
Interior (not perfect hollow core)
Interior (solid corewood)
Exterior (protected overhang)
Exterior (unprotected and exposed)
Folding
Garage door
Garage door opener
FINISHES (Used for waterproofing)
Paint, plaster and stucco
Sealer, silicone, and waxes
FLOORS
Oak or pine
Slate flagstone
Vinyl sheet or tile
Terrazzo
Carpeting
Marble
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10-15
Lifetime
20+
20+
25-50
30-life
30-life
80-100
25-30
30-life
20-50
10
3-5
1-5
Lifetime
Lifetime
minimum 20-30
Lifetime
11
Lifetime
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FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS
Poured footing and foundation
Concrete block
Cement
Waterproofing (bituminous coating)
Termite proofing
Baseboard system
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200
100
50
10
5
20
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HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING
Air conditioning unit (central unit)
Air conditioning unit (window unit)
Humdifier
Water heater (electric)
Water heater (gas)
Forced air furnace, heat pump
Furnace, gas or oil fired
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15
10
8
14
11-13
15
18
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HOME SECURITY APPLIANCES
Intrusion system
Smoke detector
Smoke/fire/intrusion system
LANDSCAPING
Wooden deck
Brick and concrete patio
Tennis court
Concrete walk
Gravel walk
Asphalt driveway
Swimming pool
Sprinkler system
Fence
PAINTS AND STAINS
Exterior paint on wood, brick and aluminum
Interior wall paint
Interior trim and door
Interior wallpaper
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14
12
10
15
24
10
24
4
10
18
12
12
7-10
5-10
5-10
7
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PLUMBING
Waste pipe (concrete)
Waste pipe (cast iron)
Sinks (enamel steel sink)
Sinks (enamel cast iron sink)
Sinks (porcelain sink)
Faucets --low quality
Faucets-- high quality
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50-100
75-100
5-10
25-30
25-30
13-15
15-20
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ROOFING
Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes
Tile
Slate
Sheet metal
Built-up roofing (asphalt)
Built-up roofing (coat and tar)
Asphalt composition shingle
Asphalt overlag
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15-30
50
50-100
20-50
12-25
12-30
15-30
25-35
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SIDING
Gutters and downspouts
Siding (wood)
Siding (steel)
Siding (aluminum)
Siding (vinyl)
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30
10-100
50-life
20-50
50
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WINDOWS
Window glazing
Wood casement
Aluminum casement
Screen
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20
20-50
10-20
25-50
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