How Much Does It Cost to Winterize a House?

Average Cost to Winterize a House

Winterizing a House Prices

The cost to winterize a house can vary greatly depending on what needs to be done around your home.

Here are some common price ranges for tasks you might complete before cold weather comes knocking:

• Weatherstripping or caulking doors: $35 to $95 per door

• Adding window insulation: $20 to $65 per window

• Insulated curtains: $28 to $90

• Furnace filters: $10 to $30

• HVAC inspection costs: $320

• Boiler drain and flush costs: $200 to $600

• Added pipe insulation: $100 to $1,000, depending on amount or size

• Chimney inspection costs: $300

• Gutter cleaning costs: $160

• Lawn irrigation: $75 to $250

• Branch trimming: $460

• Pool closing costs: $250

• New entryway mats or rugs: $30 to $100

• Install a programmable thermostat: $20 to $150

• Change humidifier evaporation pad: $30

Don’t get nervous: generally speaking, many homeowners only need to complete between one and three tasks on this list. Winterizing a home is largely a matter of determining what needs to be done, then deciding if you’d like to hire a pro or go the DIY route to save money.

Winterizing Home Installation Costs

A professional handyperson near you will likely charge per project to winterize your home, although if it’s large or in a remote location (think a winter cabin or vacation home), they may charge by the hour for their time.

• Per hour: $25 to $100

• Per project: $10 to $200

Again, these are dependent on the task and level of expertise required. For example, an HVAC specialist charges $150 to $200 per hour for their time.

Winterize a House Cost by Type

Three tiers can help you figure out how much you’ll pay to get your home ready for winter.

Primary Residence Needing Basic Maintenance

In most homes, minor maintenance and upgrades should cost around $200 to $250. Basic home winterization tasks include (but aren’t limited to):

• Adding insulation to windows and doors

• Replacing furnace filters

• Cleaning and/or inspecting your chimney

• Lawn irrigation

• Branch trimming

• Cleaning gutters

These can be completed in just a few hours by a pro.

Primary Residence Needing Repairs or Upgrades

Preparing for winter will cost more if your appliances are needing repairs or replacement; $250 is a starting point, but costs could exceed $1,000 if your HVAC system needs to be fixed.

More expensive maintenance tasks, like closing your pool, flushing your boiler, and insulating doors (especially garage doors) could push your budget up to around $500.

To save money, make a list of needs and wants and separate your winterization tasks accordingly.

Vacant Homes

Winterizing a vacant home (second house, vacation home, etc.) should cost between $100 and $200, or even less if you do it yourself. The bulk of the work involves shutting off the water main, adding insulation to doors and windows if needed, some light landscaping, and cleaning gutters.

If snow or inclement weather is expected, having your roof inspected might be a good idea. On average, roof inspection costs around $215.

Winterize a House Cost Factors

Estimate your budget by deciding which of these factors relate to your home winterization project.

Size of Home

Winterizing typically involves covering window panes, doors, and other entries to prevent cold air from pouring in. A larger home likely has more entryways, which may mean higher insulation installation costs.

The number of other home winterization projects that pop up will likely correlate with the size of your home.

Appliances

Appliances are the biggest investment for home winterization. Every other winterization project ranges between free (putting up thicker curtains) and a couple hundred dollars (pool closure, lawn irrigation, etc.).

If you know your HVAC system needs servicing, consider having the work done earlier in the fall or late summer to prevent delays.

Outdoor Living Spaces

Depending on the layout of your yard and outdoor living spaces, additional winterization tasks may be necessary.

For example, winterizing a sprinkler costs $55 to $120 on average. This involves shutting off and draining water, then insulating any above-ground components. Most lawn companies charge by zone for this job and will include eight zones in their estimates (costs range from $60 to $85 for all eight). For larger lawns, it could cost more.

Cost to Winterize a House Yourself

Many components to winter-proofing your home are easy and cheap (or free) to do. If you’d prefer to tackle these projects yourself, you could save $200 or more.

Tasks you can complete pretty simply include adding insulation to windows, doors, or pipes (there are multiple methods you can use), closing your pool, replacing filters, cleaning gutters, and installing a programmable thermostat.

DIY vs. Hire a Home Winterizing Pro

For some jobs, such as draining a boiler or inspecting a roof, hiring a professional is highly recommended. You’ll spend more, but your safety is guaranteed and you won’t risk damaging any appliances.

Some winterization professionals offer bi-annual contracts to de-winterize your home in the spring as well. This may cost another $75 to $300, but saves you money in the long run.

FAQs

Why is home winterization important?

Besides the obvious reason—to keep you warm while keeping heating costs lower—winterization is also important for preserving your home. Prepping your home’s structures and appliances can add years to their life, and help maintain or add value to your house when it comes time to sell.

Should you winterize your sprinkler system?

Absolutely, and you should also irrigate your lawn to prepare it for winter. Left alone, cold weather or ice can damage the above-ground components and lead to more expensive repairs come spring and summer.