Other: lifespan and cost
These are the parts that do not belong to the roof, facade or heating but still cost when they are replaced. The table shows how long they last and what a replacement usually costs.
The ranges apply to a normal-sized house. Actual cost depends on size, access and region. Lifespan means technical lifespan with normal upkeep. In a share-based flat the big repairs are a share of the housing company’s project and show up in the charge or the company loan.
| Component | Lifespan | Replacement cost |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior door | 40 yrs (25-50) | 1 500-5 000 € |
| Interior door | 40 yrs (30-60) | 2 000-6 000 € |
| Garage door | 30 yrs (20-40) | 2 000-6 000 € |
| Complete kitchen renovation | 25 yrs (20-35) | 8 000-25 000 € |
| Asphalt yard | 25 yrs (20-35) | 3 000-12 000 € |
| Wooden deck | 25 yrs (15-30) | 4 000-15 000 € |
| Fireplace | 50 yrs (40-70) | 2 000-8 000 € |
| Chimney flue | 50 yrs (40-60) | 3 000-12 000 € |
How long does a kitchen last?
A kitchen wears more from use and taste than from breaking, and the cabinets often outlast the doors. A complete renovation is one of the larger items but also raises the value of the house the most of these parts. The fireplace and flue last a long time, but the flue must be swept regularly and the deck wears from the weather.
What does replacing the yard and deck cost?
An asphalt yard cracks and needs redoing over the years, and a wooden deck needs replacing in stages where the timber meets the ground. Neither is urgent the way a roof or pipes are, but they are good to keep in a long-term calculation. The cost in the table applies to a normal-sized house.
What the age of the house tells you
Certain build years carry known risks for exactly these parts. Here are the most common ones.
Asbestos Houses built 1930–1994
Asbestos was used in pipe insulation, tiles, fillers and vinyl tiles before 1994.
Oil tank Houses built 1950–2005
Oil tank — leak risk and possible soil contamination.
Does a new kitchen raise the value of the house?
Often yes; the kitchen is the room that weighs most for many buyers. But the cost is rarely fully recovered, so do it mainly for your own enjoyment, not as a pure investment.
How often do the flue and fireplace need maintenance?
A fireplace in use must be swept yearly, and the flue’s tightness is worth checking so it does not let in smoke or moisture. A flue that is not used may still need upkeep so it does not let moisture into the structure.
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