Most home problems do not originate from single catastrophic failures but from small issues that were rushed, skipped, or ignored during construction or maintenance, according to an open letter from construction superintendent Shawn Mayers. Industry data indicates that over 70 percent of residential repair costs result from deferred maintenance or poor original installation, with water intrusion alone accounting for more than 20 percent of homeowner insurance claims annually. Mayers, who has spent decades in residential construction, observes consistent patterns in home issues including poor drainage, rushed repairs, and temporary fixes layered over older problems.
The construction industry estimates that rework costs homeowners and builders between 5 and 15 percent more over a home's lifespan, representing money spent correcting issues that could have been addressed earlier. "Fast work that needs fixing isn't fast. It just moves the problem down the line," Mayers noted in his letter. The financial impact of postponing repairs can be significant, with water damage potentially doubling repair costs if left untreated for more than six months. Structural movement beginning as hairline cracks can develop into major repairs within a few years. Mayers emphasized that preparation and understanding what requires immediate attention versus what can wait often matter more than tools or products when addressing home maintenance.
Mayers provided ten practical actions homeowners can implement immediately, including walking the property after heavy rain to observe water flow, checking under sinks for moisture, examining exterior grading, cleaning gutters and downspouts, and fixing one small issue completely rather than applying temporary patches. He challenged homeowners to select one action from the list and commit to it fully for seven days, then share the letter with others who postpone home maintenance. The letter stresses that responsible homeownership involves respecting living spaces rather than pursuing perfection, noting that every home will have future owners who deserve quality work. Mayers concluded with the observation that "later gets expensive," urging homeowners to address small issues before they escalate into costly repairs.
