Home Maintenance Reserve
Calculator
Results
- Reserve at the end
- $23,379.06
- Total set aside
- $38,324.02
- Set aside per month
- $319.37
- Years the reserve runs negative
- Not reached within the projection
The path over time
- Reserve balance
- Set aside this year
Year-by-year schedule
| 1 | 350,000.00 | 3,500.00 | 0.00 | 3,500.00 |
| 2 | 357,000.00 | 3,570.00 | 0.00 | 7,157.50 |
| 3 | 364,140.00 | 3,641.40 | 0.00 | 10,977.84 |
| 4 | 371,422.80 | 3,714.23 | 0.00 | 14,966.51 |
| 5 | 378,851.26 | 3,788.51 | 0.00 | 19,129.19 |
| 6 | 386,428.28 | 3,864.28 | 0.00 | 23,471.70 |
| 7 | 394,156.85 | 3,941.57 | 18,000.00 | 10,000.06 |
| 8 | 402,039.98 | 4,020.40 | 0.00 | 14,270.46 |
| 9 | 410,080.78 | 4,100.81 | 0.00 | 18,728.03 |
| 10 | 418,282.40 | 4,182.82 | 0.00 | 23,379.06 |
Comparison
| Scenario | Reserve at the end | Total set aside |
|---|---|---|
| Doing nothing | 20,324.02 | 38,324.02 |
| Your plan | 23,379.06 | 38,324.02 |
Formula
Rᵧ = Rᵧ₋₁(1 + r) + V₀(1 + a)^(y−1) × p − repairᵧ= 23379.06
Note
This projection applies the displayed standard formula to the costs and rates you entered and assumes they repeat, unchanged, every single period. Real households do not work that way: prices, incomes, interest rates and family circumstances all move, and a single unplanned event can outweigh years of the schedule below. The model ignores taxes, fees, benefits, grants and anything you did not enter, and costs of this kind vary enormously from one country to another. Treat the figures as an illustration of the arithmetic, not a forecast or financial advice, and consult a licensed adviser before acting on any of them.
More in Life planning
See all →Frequently asked questions
How much should I be setting aside for home maintenance each year?+
A common rule of thumb is 1-2% of the home's value annually, though the calculator can refine that using the home's age, size, and systems, since an older home or one with aging major systems (roof, HVAC) needs a larger reserve.
Why does home age matter so much to the reserve estimate?+
Major systems and structural components have finite lifespans — roofs, water heaters, HVAC systems — and older homes are statistically closer to needing replacement of one or more of these, which raises the recommended annual reserve.
Is this reserve meant to cover renovations too, or just repairs?+
It's meant for maintenance and eventual replacement of existing systems, not discretionary renovations or upgrades — budget separately for kitchen remodels or additions, since those are choices rather than necessities.
What happens if I don't build up this reserve?+
You end up financing major repairs with debt or delaying necessary repairs, which often makes the eventual problem (and cost) worse — a roof leak ignored for lack of funds can lead to far more expensive water damage.
Does the reserve calculation change based on climate or location?+
It should — homes in harsher climates (freeze-thaw cycles, hurricanes, high humidity) generally see faster wear on roofing, siding, and exterior systems, which argues for a reserve on the higher end of the recommended range.