Even the most expensive paint in the world won't last long when applied to an improperly prepped wall. Roofing replacement costs are especially complicated to predict. Not only are there many grades of roofing material, but the job might also call for demolition, flashing, gutters and sheathing. Complicated roof shapes drive costs up, too. It calculates the cost based on your location and the specific details of your house.
Water quality plays a role in the longevity of boilers, water heaters and water pumps.
Water that is highly acidic or full of minerals is tougher on equipment than treated water, and life spans should be lowered accordingly. This is the case in many rural parts of the country, where houses often have their own wells. For heating systems, boilers last longer than hot-air systems because the water helps to moderate heat extremes, making hot and cold cycles less stressful on the equipment. Most of us have run across an ancient refrigerator or range in someone's kitchen that's still working flawlessly long after it should have been hauled to the dump. With an estimated 600 million appliances at work in American households, there will be plenty of such exceptions.