Repairs and maintenance are often spoken of together as if they were a package deal, but the two aren’t the same. Repairs fix broken things, maintenance prevents breakdowns before they happen. All homes need maintenance, but new homes and appliances should not require major repairs. Several things factor into maintenance costs including age, of course, climate, and home size and architectural style. However, take, for example, a hot water tank. Once or twice a year, you may need to call your plumber out to flush the tank and check that all is well. This maintenance will likely cost about $50-$100. Compare that to the cost of a whole new tank, which could be anywhere from $250-$3,500 plus installation costs.