According to a survey done by the insurance company Hippo, 77 percent of homeowners ran into an unexpected problem within the very first year of living there. If you can stay one step ahead and figure out how to avoid expensive home repairs, you can save yourself a lot of money down the line.

Protect big-ticket items before disaster can strike

Some of the biggest appliances in your home would not only be the most expensive to replace, but also some of the most inconvenient. What would you do if your air conditioning stops working on the hottest day of the year? How would you wash your kids’ soccer jerseys before their big game if the washing machine goes out? Do you have the space in your budget to dole out the hundreds of dollars it would take to fix or replace them?

Consider investing in a service like American Home Shield. They are a home warranty provider that can help you protect all sorts of appliances from refrigerators to washing machines, and heating and cooling systems. If their network of contractors can’t fix your appliance, they will cover the cost to replace it.

Keep the roof over your head

A lot of people forget about their roofing until something goes wrong and it’s too late to save money. While it might not be one of the home improvement projects you’re most looking forward to, a new roof will last decades. According to Zillow, a new roof can provide an ROI of over 60 percent, should you decide to sell.

Erie Metal Roofs can help you get ahead of the game by installing roofing that lasts three times longer than asphalt shingles. You may even qualify for 10 percent of your installation with a military or first responders discount.

Make your windows shine

Windows and natural light can really affect the livelihood of a space. Getting new windows can be a breath of fresh air for your home and is something you can enjoy as soon as installation is complete.

Aesthetics aside, windows are vital to keeping your home’s temperature regulated. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, windows contribute 25 to 30 percent of a home’s energy use. So new windows are definitely an investment that you’ll notice!

Renewal by Andersen can help you every step of the window replacement process. Their augmented reality tool can help you see for yourself what new windows will look like without needing to leave your home.

Home repair costs can be daunting, but a little preparation and being proactive can help you stay within your budget. Investing in high-quality materials and repairs can help you avoid expensive home repairs and any future headaches.