Home maintenance doesn’t have to mean fixing everything yourself—we’re well-intentioned, but also busy. Lowe’s HomeCare+ makes it easier to stay on top of routine chores that can be easy to forget. And, when we broke down the costs, we realized that it pays for itself really fast.
For $99 a year, MyLowe’s Rewards members get two in-home visits. The program includes seven covered maintenance services, so you can pick and choose what you need during each visit. This might be the most simple way to take care of the chores we often ignore.
Some Home Maintenance Tasks Are Easy to Forget
Most homeowners know they should change their HVAC filter or replace the batteries in their smoke detectors. The trouble is remembering when to do it, figuring out how to do it, and actually finding the time. Not to mention, costs compile; a recent study showed that upwards of 42% of respondents live with household inconveniences because repairs are too expensive.
Other chores are less obvious. When was the last time you had your dryer vent cleaned? Have you ever flushed your water heater? Do you know how to lubricate your garage door or replace a refrigerator water filter? Can you safely reach all your smoke alarms?
Yes, some of you can handle these on your own—but they aren't the kinds of tasks that usually make it onto a weekend to-do list. When you’re already juggling lawn care, cleaning, repairs, and larger projects, outsourcing helps. And at just $99/year, the cost makes up for itself really fast.
Services offered at each visit include:
- Electric dryer vent cleaning
- HVAC air filter replacement
- Refrigerator water filter replacement
- Electric water heater flush
- Garage door lubrication
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detector battery replacement
- Light bulb replacement
The plan includes two in-home visits each year, and you can choose up to seven services during each visit. And yes, you can use all seven services each visit, or pick only the ones you need.
Routine Maintenance Can Help Your Home Systems Last Longer
Your home’s major systems and appliances aren’t cheap to replace. Regular maintenance keeps equipment working as it should, reducing material buildup that can strain a system and affect performance. A clean dryer vent, fresh HVAC filter, or sediment in your water heater may not seem like a big deal—out of sight, out of mind, am I right? However, these small tasks can support the performance and longevity of the systems you rely on every day.
That’s one reason it’s worth paying attention to maintenance even when everything seems to be working fine. Waiting until something breaks can mean a bigger repair, a shorter lifespan, or an unexpected replacement. A little routine care can help you avoid some of those headaches and keep your home running more smoothly.
You Don’t Have to DIY Every Job
There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from handling home repairs yourself, but only 21% of Americans regularly perform preventative home care. Some chores require tools or knowledge you may not have. Others are simply easy to put off because they don’t seem urgent, but can have compounding effects if ignored.
HomeCare+ offers another option, and the low cost makes it a no-brainer. Instead of spending a Saturday figuring out how to handle several maintenance tasks, you can have Lowe’s associates take care of them during scheduled in-home visits. We think it could be especially helpful for homeowners who are new to owning a home, have mobility challenges, or simply have more on their plate than they can fit into a weekend.
It also doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. You can still tackle the projects you enjoy and call in help for the chores that are less familiar or harder to fit into your schedule.
Compounding Savings for Home Services
Whether you hire a private company or your neighborhood handyman, home maintenance costs can add up quickly. HomeCare+ bundles several routine services into one $99 annual subscription. The subscription includes automatic Gold Status benefits through MyLowe’s Rewards, including 1.5 points per dollar and free standard shipping. Members also receive 5% off the items needed for covered services, such as filters, batteries, and light bulbs.
For homeowners who already need to buy these supplies and pay for some of these services, the plan may make it easier to budget for routine upkeep. It also puts several chores on the calendar instead of leaving them to the "I'll get to it later" list.
The bigger benefit may be having fewer small tasks hanging over your head. Homeownership comes with enough surprises, right?
How often should routine home maintenance be done?
It depends on the task and the equipment. Some chores, like cleaning your dryer vent and replacing your smoke detector batteries are chores that are great to do twice a year. Other services, like lubricating your garage door and flushing your water heater likely only need to be checked off the list annually. Your appliance manuals and manufacturer recommendations can help you decide when specific maintenance is due.
