Managing over 1,000 properties each month gives us a front-row seat to all the weird, wild, and wallet-emptying surprises that real estate can throw at you. So, for fun — and to pull back the curtain a little — we crunched the numbers and compiled the Top 10 Most Expensive Repairs we handled in a single month.
Spoiler alert: The #2 spot nearly made us fall out of our chairs.
Here’s what made the list:
1. $6,250 – Landscaping Makeover
Think backyard makeover. This was a full transformation with gravel walkways, fresh mulch, pavers, and a serious clean-up. Landscaping can look peaceful… but the bill might not be.
2. $5,845 – “Cleaning” (aka hauling away trees, tires, and a broken washing machine)
Yes, this was labeled cleaning. Yes, it took three people, nearly 70 hours. Yes, half of it involved removing rogue trees and mystery mattresses. Sometimes, “cleaning” is code for “extreme junk eviction.”
3. $4,768 – New Furnace
Classic. Cold house, urgent install, warm tenants. All in a month’s work.
4. $4,200 – More Landscaping
Sod installation, tree trimming, and the yard waste removal party that no one wants to attend.
5. $3,460 – Interior Painting
Used to be $1/sqft. Now? Let’s just say this ain’t 2013.
6. $3,450 – Brick Wall Repairs
Restoring structural fencing that had seen better decades.
7. $3,282 – Fence Rebuild
Old fencing finally gave out — cue post digging, post sweating, and a few grand.
8. $3,180 – Trash Removal + Painting Combo
Because when one job ends, another begins.
9. $3,072 – New Carpet
Same house as the epic cleaning. Shocking, right?
10. $3,000 – Deck Repair
Rotten joists and sagging stairs don’t fix themselves. Neither do rusted brackets.
All jokes aside…
Looking at these numbers is entertaining — and a little jaw-dropping — but it’s also a good reminder of how quickly repair costs can add up. Whether it’s a surprise cleanup that turns into a full-blown yard haul-out or a fence that quietly rots until it falls over, staying ahead of maintenance isn’t just smart — it’s essential.
At Keyrenter, part of our job is making sure these kinds of expenses don’t catch owners off guard. That’s not to say big repairs won’t ever happen — but we believe in having a plan, communicating clearly, and protecting the long-term value of every property we manage.
So while this list might be a fun peek behind the scenes, it’s also a snapshot of why proactive property management matters. And honestly? We kind of geek out over this stuff.