Maintenance & Prevention
Home maintenance checklists that prevent expensive repairs
Turn overwhelming “someday” projects into short, doable maintenance tasks. Use our step-by-step checklists to protect your home, budget, and peace of mind all year long. These home maintenance checklists are designed to help homeowners stay ahead of problems with simple, scheduled tasks.
No scare tactics. No jargon. Just practical routines that fit real life.
Quick view: where to start this month
5–10 minute tasks: Test smoke/CO alarms, check GFCI outlets, and swap dirty HVAC filters.
30–60 minute tasks: Walk the exterior for cracks, caulk gaps, and clear problem gutters.
Rainy-day tasks: Open your panel schedule, label breakers, and photograph shutoff locations.
Start small. Consistency matters more than doing everything at once—your future self will thank you.
Start with the right checklist for where you are
Choose a checklist that matches your timeline. Each one includes estimated time, tools, and red flags that mean “pause and call a pro”.
30-Minute Home Checkup
A single walkthrough you can do tonight to catch obvious leaks, trip hazards, and safety issues in under an hour.
Monthly Home Maintenance Routine
Short, repeatable tasks that keep air filters clean, drains flowing, and small issues from turning into big repairs.
Spring & Fall Prep Checklists
Roof, gutters, grading, heating, cooling, and weatherproofing tasks to tackle before extreme temperatures hit.
Annual Whole-Home Maintenance Checklist
A deeper dive into roofs, foundations, plumbing, and HVAC so you can budget for big projects before they’re urgent.
Popular maintenance & prevention guides
These guides are a great starting point if you’re building a maintenance routine from scratch or catching up after a few busy years.
The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist: Monthly, Seasonal & Annual
A printable, easy-to-follow roadmap you can complete in small blocks of time—no marathon weekends required.
Stop Water Damage Before It Starts: Gutters, Grading & Drainage 101
Prioritized steps to keep water moving away from your home—and how to spot trouble before it reaches your basement.
New Homeowner 90-Day Maintenance Plan
A simple three-month plan that gets you caught up on neglected tasks and familiar with your home’s major systems.
How Much to Budget for Home Maintenance Each Year
Simple rules of thumb, examples by home age, and how maintenance spending saves money over the long term.
Maintain your home by zones, not overwhelm
Break your to-do list into clear areas so you can focus on one zone at a time—inside or out—without losing track of the big picture.
Roof, gutters & exterior
Shingles, flashing, gutters, downspouts, and grading checks that keep water going where it should.
Plumbing & moisture control
Leak checks, shutoff tests, caulking, and condensation control to protect walls, floors, and cabinets.
Heating, cooling & ventilation
Filters, returns, outdoor units, and duct checks that keep systems efficient and extend their lifespan.
Interior, safety & finishes
Smoke/CO alarms, handrails, caulking, grout, and paint touch-ups that keep things safe and looking cared for.
Build a realistic 90-day maintenance plan
Instead of a giant “someday” list, use this framework to decide what to do now, what can wait, and what belongs in your long-term budget.
Good candidates for DIY maintenance
Low-risk tasks that mostly require a ladder, basic tools, and a little focus—not a license.
Maintenance best left to a pro
Great to have on your calendar—but safer and more effective when handled by a licensed contractor.
Simple planning prompt
In the next 30 days, try this:
Maintenance doesn’t have to be perfect—done regularly and safely beats perfect once every few years.
Home maintenance questions homeowners ask most
These short answers are a starting point—each FAQ links to deeper guides and printable checklists if you want more detail.
How much time should I plan for home maintenance each month?
A good starting point is 2–4 hours per month for basic tasks, plus a few half-days each year for seasonal prep. Older homes or homes with existing issues may need more. See example maintenance schedules
What if my home has been neglected for years—where do I start?
Start with safety and water: smoke/CO alarms, visible leaks, drainage, and electrical red flags. Then use the 90-day plan to catch up in stages instead of trying to fix everything at once. Use the 90-day catch-up plan
Which maintenance tasks should I hire out instead of doing myself?
Anything that involves significant height, structural changes, electrical or gas work, or specialized tools is usually worth hiring. You stay safer and often get better long-term results. See the DIY vs pro maintenance list