How Long Do Things Last In A House

Why remodel your house or perform a bathroom or kitchen remodel?  How long do things last in a house? Eventually, things stop working and must be replaced.  Below is a list of life expectancies.

The estimated longevity of items in this list assumes proper maintenance.

These estimates were gathered from a variety of associations, retailers, manufactures and repair services.  These figures should be viewed as the maximums.  The country where manufactured plays a big part in how long a product will last along with how it was installed.  The best products will fail prematurely if installed incorrectly, especially if the installer was inexperienced and/or used substandard materials and installation methods. 

In my over 45 years in remodeling, important factors such as temperatures, humidity and moisture, dirt, plants, rodents, insects, proximity to the ocean, maintenance, frequency of use, and the quality of the originally installed item have a significant impact on how long things last. 

Regarding how long things last in a house, are the figures always accurate?

No.  There are exceptions.  For example, in Orange County, I have never seen residential new home builder installed outlets last 15-20 years as noted in the above table – except those hidden behind a piece of furniture.  Most are damaged or broken within 5 years and become fire and electrocution hazards.  Only a few contractors, such as DAD’s Construction, install high quality outlets that are much stronger, safer, and reliable than standard outlets.  What is the difference in cost between a low quality and high quality 15amp duplex outlet?  It’s about $0.10 – ten cents!

A final note on appliances (this includes washers and dryers).  Truth be told, over the last 20 years, appliances have steadily fallen in their life expectancy.  Regardless of brand, price paid, or who installed it, consider yourself extremely lucky if you get 10 years before calling for repairs.  I highly recommend purchasing an extended warranty on all appliances.

I hope this helps you answer the question “How Long Do Things Last In A House?”

Always Hire a Reliable and Dependable Contractor to Remodel your Home

Always work with a trustworthy contractor like DAD’s Construction for home remodeling.  We are experts in full interior home remodeling who can manage projects in an efficient manner.  DAD’s Construction will do everything to minimize the possibility of change orders.  Our team will make sure we have all the necessary information to prepare a proposal that meets your requirements.  Rest assured that we will provide you with a detailed, by line-item contract.  We will make sure that the contents of this agreement are properly and clearly communicated to you.  If you have questions or need updates regarding your project, we will always answer your inquiries.

How Can I Receive More Information on Remodeling my Home?

If you would like more information on enjoying the best bathroom, kitchen, and interior remodeling experience in Orange County, call Dan at (949) 380-0177 or at dan@dadsconstruction.com for a free in home consultation.  DAD’s serves all of South Orange County California.  This includes Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, Portola Hills, Ladera Ranch, Irvine, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Dove Canyon, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Aliso Viejo.

“Taking Care of Your Home . . . The Way We Would Our Own”

Daniel A. Derkum is the owner of DAD’s Construction, a leading South Orange County, California design-and-build remodeling and renovation contractor, https://www.dadsconstruction.com.  © DAD’s Home Services & Construction, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.