Life Expectancies and Cost Guide

          You may be planning for improvements to your home or simply long you can expect various things to last. It΄s useful information, especially if you want to make sure you get your money's worth.

Many house parts are fully functional for years; others give it up after just a few.

           The following tables show average life expectancies for mechanical systems as well as interior and exterior materials. These have been taken from a wide range of sources including various professional building specialty websites and consumer resources, and are intended only as an estimate. Care and maintenance as well as quality and proper installation also play big roles in performance and longevity.

RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING ESTIMATES

Electrical

Retrofit

> receptacle - rewire reverse polarity $40-$60

> standard light fixture $100-$200

> receptacle - replace conventional with GFCI $75-$125

> receptacle - CO/ALR (aluminum) $50-$75

> receptacle - stove/dryer $75-$100

> receptacle - conventional $100-$150 /

> receptacal-split $150-$250 /

> receptacle - exterior with cover $150-$250

> flourescent light fixture $150-$250

> ground-public system $75-$100

> ground-private system (with ground rods) $200-$300

> exhaust fan-bathroom $135-$150

> exhaust fan - oven $200-$250

> exterior light fixture $100-$250

> doorbell system $80-$100

> dryer duct $100-$150

> hardwired smoke detector $60-$120

> attic ventilator-mechanical $250

> baseboard heater (4') $150-$450

> celing fan $200

Upgrade

> breaker panel-auxilliary $100-$300

> circuit breaker (replace) $60-$100

> knob and tube wiring (replace) $600-$12,000

> 200 amp (existing panel) $1,000-$1,200

> 120/240 volt circuit $200-$500

> breaker panel-main $600-$900

> 100 amp (new panel) $1,000-$1,500

> 100 amp (existing panel) $600-$900

> 200 amp (new panel) $1,800-$2,500

Garage/Driveway/Walkway

Driveway

> concrete (stamped) $5-$10 / sq.ft.

> interlock brick/stone $8-$10 / sq.ft.

> asphalt paving (existing base) $3-$5 / sq.ft.

> asphalt paving (new base) $3-$6 / sq.ft.

> asphalt (seal) $50-$75

Garage

> detached block-single $18,000

> detached block-double $24,000

> removal of existing garage $1,500

> detached carport $4,000

> detached wood frame-single $8,000

> detached wood frame-double $13,000

Overhead Doors

> wood - single (one piece) $725

> wood - double (sectional) $1,250

> cladboard - double $750-$1,000

> metal - single (one piece) $700

> metal - double (one piece) $1,100

> automatic garage door opener $300

> cladboard - single $450-$650

Heating and Cooling

Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

> heat recovery ventilator (HRV) $1,500-$2,500

> heat pump $4,500-$6,000

> central A/C attic mounted;separate duct $9,000

> compressor (replace) $1,300-$1,500

> condenser (replace) $1,500-$2,500

> air handler 3 - ton (vertical) $1,200-$1,500

> air handler 3 - ton (horiziontal) $1,500-$1,800

> central a/c existing duct $1,500-$3,000

Forced-Air System

> metal lin.ft.(existing chimney flue) $500-$1,000

> gas-high efficiency $3,000-$4,500

> humidifier - drum type $75-$150

> humidifier - flow through type $350-$450

> convert hot water to forced air (1 story) $6,000-$10,000

> electronic air filter $500-$900

> gas - mid efficiency $2,000-$2,800

> blower/motor $300-$500

> clean duct $150-$300

> convert oil to gas (1 story) $2,000-$3,000

> air duct (new) $3,500

> air duct (retrofit) $5,500

> annual service $75-$150

Hot Water System

> radiator/boiler removal $1,500-$2,000

> radiator $500-$900

> radiator valve $100-$200

> gas boiler - standard $2,500-$4,500 /

> gas boiler - high efficiency $5,500-$10,000 /

> removal of oil tank from basement $350-$500

> circulating pump $500-$750 /

> cast iron radiator $550-$650

> expansion tank $250-$300

Interior

Ceiling/Wall

> walls painting (3 coats) $1 / sq.ft.

> wallpaper $2-$8 / sq.ft.

> plaster (over existing plaster) $3 / sq.ft.

> stucco / stipple $1 / sq.ft.

> walls (insulations/drywall) $3 / sq.ft.

> acoustic ceiling (suspended) $4 / sq.ft.

> baseboard/door/window casing $3 / lin.ft.

> drywall over plaster $2-$3 / sq.ft.

Doors

> patio $1,750

> storm - aluminum $190-$300

> exterior - panel $750

> interior panel $400

> french $700

> bi-fold - louver $800

> bi-fold - panel $600

> custom with casing /hardware $400

Fireplaces

> metal box insert $700-$2,500

> masonry with flue rough-in $6,000

> wood stove $1,500-$2,500

> glass door $350

> hearth extension $250

> flue cleaning $100

> damper $125

> brick replacement $250-$500

> gas insert $2,500-$3,500

Floor

> hardwoord - refinish $2-$4 / sq.ft.

> vinyl - sheet $3-$8 / sq.ft.

> vinyl - tile $1-$8 / sq.ft.

> ceramic tile $5-$8 / sq.ft.

> hardwood $6 / sq.ft.

> hardwood (prefinished) $8-$10 / sq.ft.

> carpet - clean $35-$50 / room

> carpet - outdoor $2 / sq.ft.

> carpet and underpad $3-$7 / sq.ft.

Insulation

> R32 - batt $2-$2 / sq.ft.

> R32 - loose $2-$4 / sq.ft.

> wall/roof cavity $2-$4 / sq.ft.

> rigid exterior (prior to finish) $1-$1 / sq.ft.

> R20 - batt $1-$2 / sq.ft.

> R20 - loose $1-$1 / sq.ft.

Kitchen/Bathroom

> kitchen renovation $6,000

> bathroom renovation $4,000

> kitchen cabinet $40-$70 / lin.ft.

> kitchen counter - laminate $30 / lin.ft.

> kitchen counter - marble $50 / lin.ft.

Security System

> wired system $1,300

> wireless motion detectors $500

> alarm monitoring $20 / month

> alarm system $2,500

> intercom system (retrofit) $1,200

Stairs/Railings

> stair railing $30-$50 / lin.ft.

> curved stair - oak $7,000

> spiral stair - oak $4,700

> standard stair - oak $900

Windows

> storm-aluminum $45-$175

> thermal glass (existing frame) $25 / sq.ft.

> skylight $250-$3,000

> slider-aluminum $25 / sq.ft.

> slider-aluminum (replace) $20 / sq.ft.

> casement $50 / sq.ft.

> double hung $40 / sq.ft.

> double hung (replace) $35 / sq.ft.

> awning $45 / sq.ft.

> awning/casement (replace) $40 / sq.ft.

> bay/bow $35-$40 / sq.ft.

Landscaping/Deck/Patio/Fence

Deck

> pressure treated/cedar $10-$25 / sq.ft.

> custom designed & built $30-$50 / sq.ft.

Fence

> reset post in concrete $60-$60

> chain - link (4 ft.) $10 / lin.ft.

> wood - cedar (5 ft.) $15-$20 / lin.ft.

> wood - pressure treated (5 ft.) $10-$15 / lin.ft.

Landscaping

> retaining wall - wood $25 / sq.ft.

> lay soil & sod $1-$2 / sq.ft.

> sprinkler system $1,000

> retaining wall - concrete $35 / sq.ft.

Patio

> patio stone $3 / sq.ft.

> concrete $10-$15 / sq.ft.

> flagstone/fieldstone $16-$16 / sq.ft.

> interlock brick/stone $8-$10 / sq.ft.

Porch

> steps - concrete $400

> steps-wood $250

> flooring $5 / lin.ft.

> railing $150

> skirting $15 / lin.ft.

Miscellaneous

> central vacuum (retrofit) $800-$2,000

> central vacuum (canister only) $800-$1,000

Plumbing

Bathroom

> whirlpool bath/faucet $3,500

> toilet-unclog $100-$200

> tub enclosure - ceramic tile $2,200-$3,000

> tub enclosure - plastic $500-$1,200

> toilet-flush mechanism $100-$150

> toilet - replace $350

> toilet - replace seal $100-$250

> shower connection $200

> shower stall -plastic $700-$1,900

> shower stall - ceramic tile $2,200-$3,000

> basin - pedestal type $300

> basin - vanity $200

> bathtub - replace-retile $2,200

Kitchen

> sink - porcelain $650-$820

> sink - stainless steel $550-$730

> dishwasher $550-$890

> garbage disposer $175-$400

> range hood $300-$500

Private Plumbing System

> well - submerisble pump $1,000

> well - suction / jet pump $500-$900

> sewage waste pump $1,300-$1,700

> well - shallow $25 / lin.ft.

> well - deep $35 / lin.ft.

> laundry tub and waste pump $450-$800

> septic tank (1000 gal.) $2,000-$5,000

> septic tank cleaning $150

Upgrade

> water softener $800-$1,500

> waste drain lines $2,000-$4,000

> sump pump $150-$250

> supply lines-1 story; up to 2 baths $1,500-$2,500

> temperature and relief valve (replace) $50-$90

> laundry tub /connection $300-$500

> main water service $150-$200 / lin.ft.

> main shut-off valve $150-$300

> hose bib $100-$150

> hot water tank (40 Gal Electric) $400-$500

> hot water tank (40 Gal Gas) $500-$800

Roof/Eave/Flashing/Chimney

Chimney

> Concrete cap (double flue) $200-$350

> rain cap $75

> reline flue $30-$40 / lin.ft.

> chimney extention $100-$250 / lin.ft.

> chimney repointing $5-$10 / brick

> concrete cap (single flue) $100-$250

Flashing

> valley flashing $15-$25 / lin.ft.

> wall flashing $3-$4 / lin.ft.

> parapet wall flashing $25 / lin.ft.

> roof vent $50

> reflash skylight $400-$500

> chimney flashing (sloped asphalt) $200-$400

> chimney flashing (flat built-up) $300-$500

> metal cricket at chimney $200-$400

Flat Roofs

> roll roofing asphalt (90lb) $1-$2 / sq.ft.

> 4 ply (tar and gravel) $6-$10 / sq.ft.

> single ply membrane $5-$10 / sq.ft.

Gutters

> downspout extension $15

> soffits/fascia (Aluminum) $10 / lin.ft.

> gutter cleaning $100

> gutter/downspout -aluminum $5-$8 / lin.ft.

> gutter/downspout -galvanized $4-$5 / lin.ft.

Sloped Roofs

> wood shake/shingle $4-$6 / sq.ft.

> slate tile $30-$50 / sq.ft.

> cedar shake/shingle $6-$9 / sq.ft.

> clay tile $10-$20 / sq.ft.

> concrete tile $6-$12 / sq.ft.

> asphalt shingle (over existing) $2-$3 / sq.ft.

> asphalt shingle (strip & re-shingle) $3-$4 / sq.ft.

> asphalt shingle (high quality) $4-$6 / sq.ft.

Structure/Exterior

Exterior Door

> patio door-brick wall (6ft) $250-$3,500

> patio door-wood wall (6ft) $2,000-$3,000

> aluminum storm door $350

> metal insulated door $700

> patio door-replace $700-$1,500

Structure

> roof sheathing (replace) $5-$6 / sq.ft.

> underpinning $300-$400 / lin.ft

> termite prevention (chemical soil treatment) $1,400

> remove bearing wall $2,500

> remove partition wall $600-$1,600

> re-support floor joist (sistering) $200-$300

> foundation cracks (injection method) $350

> lintel (masonry wall) $600

> lower basement $175-$300 / lin.ft

> basement support post/foundation $500

> excavation/waterproofing $90-$110 / sq.ft.

> foundation cracks (excavation method) $300-$900

> addition (foundation to roof) $75-$110 / sq.ft.

> basement entrance $6,000-$10,000

> basement main beam $1,500

Wall System

> stucco $8-$10 / sq.ft.

> vinyl siding $4-$5 / sq.ft.

> brick cleaning (painted) $6-NaN / sq.ft.

> brick repainting $3-$7 / sq.ft.

> cedar siding $7-$10 / sq.ft.

> aluminum siding $4-$5 / sq.ft.

> brick veneer $8-$20 / sq.ft.

> brick cleaning (unpainted) $3-NaN / sq.ft.

Swimming Pool/Hot Tub

> pump/filter $1,200

> hot tub fiberglass $4,000

> pool-vinyl lined (16 ft. X 40 ft.) $7,250

> pool-concrete lined (16 ft. X 40 ft.) $12,700

> pool heater $1,500

LIFE EXPECTANCY

COMPONENT AVERAGE LIFE (YRS.)

Roof Covering

> asphalt standard shingle 12-15

> asphalt premium shingle 15-30

> wood shingle 10-20

> concrete/clay tile 20-40

> asbestos cement 40-80

> slate tile 40-80

> rool roofing 5-15

> tar and gravel 15-25

> metal 60

Heating

> forces air furnace 10-25

> oil tank 20

> water/steam boiler-welded steel 15-30

> water/steam boiler-cast iron 30-50

> water/steam circulating pump 10-25

Cooling

> centeral air 10-15

> heat pump 10-15

> winder-air conditioning 10-20

Plumbing

> glavanized water pipe 20-25

> hot water heater 5-15

> septic/sewer pump 5-10

> well pump 10

Appliances

> dishwasher 5-12

> dryer 10-25

> garbage disposal 5-12

> oven/range 15-20

> washing machine 5-15