The Only Home Maintenance Checklist You’ll Ever Need

Homeownership. Many strive for it. We save every dollar to put toward a down payment, work with a real estate agent to find a home we love, and find a mortgage loan that’s ideal. We have our would-be home meticulously inspected by a home inspector and appraised (hopefully with a good outcome).

Then, we buy the house! And – more likely than not – we mysteriously forget about all the maintenance we should be doing to keep our home in tip-top shape. Before we know it, there are big repair costs on our hands.

Has this happened to you? If so, don’t worry. We’ve created a handy checklist that helps solve this problem easily.

Keep reading and get your hands on the only home maintenance checklist you’ll ever need, courtesy of AHIT and our expert home inspector instructors.

Download Now: The Only Home Maintenance Checklist You’ll Ever Need

Let’s get to the good stuff. Here’s your master home maintenance checklist. Our checklist breaks down all the recommended home maintenance tasks you should do annually, monthly, and seasonally.

Download the PDF, save it to your files, and create a recurring “home maintenance” task on your calendar for spring, summer, winter, and fall. Then, gradually check off your upkeep efforts over time. You’ll begin to understand what makes your home “tick” on a whole new level, and most importantly, you’ll maintain a safe and healthy home.

Why Is Regular Home Maintenance SO Important?

Why do you need to perform regular home maintenance tasks? Regular maintenance protects your investment and minimizes your repair costs. Your home is one of the biggest investments you might ever make. You want to keep it in good, working order.

“Most homeowners are reactive and not proactive when it comes to home maintenance,” explained Steven O’Donnell, AHIT Technical Trainer and a seasoned home inspector of three decades. “They will wait for things to break or leak before fixing them.”

Adds Chris Kjeldsen, also an AHIT Technical Trainer and owner of Ground Floor Home Inspection: “As a homeowner, you can pay now to maintain your home, or pay a bunch more to fix it later.”

How Much Should You Expect to Spend on Home Maintenance?

Homeowners can expect to spend 1-4% of their home’s value on maintenance each year. It’s a reality of homeownership. A little regular maintenance throughout the year reduces big ticket repair costs when you least expect it. An easy way to plan for this cost? Budget for it and set it aside in a dedicated home maintenance fund each year.

Study Shows Homeowners Aren’t Maintaining Their Homes As They Should

A 2024 study on home maintenance habits by Sears Home Services shows how home maintenance isn’t exactly a top priority for American homeowners’ these days. Among the key takeaways:

• More than 54% of those surveyed said they only perform maintenance on appliances when something breaks.
• Air conditioner, washing machine, and water softener system malfunctions are the most common issues homeowners deal with and the ones where homeowners have the biggest knowledge gap.
• More than half of those surveyed said they don’t regularly clean the dryer vent lint trap after a cycle, one of the simplest home maintenance tasks to complete (and that protects against house fires).

What’s more, a 2023 study on home repair habits by Today’s Homeowner shows that 60% of American homeowners have delayed home repairs because of their high costs. This can only make those repairs more costly.

The Most Important Home Maintenance Tasks

Among the most important home maintenance task, O’Donnell recommends:

• Changing HVAC Air Filters Monthly. Change air conditioning and/or furnace filter monthly to keep components inside your HVAC system clean and running efficiently
• Cleaning Gutters Annually (Or More Often!). Clean gutters to ensure they work properly and reduce water damage issues to your foundation and/or basement
• Lubricating Windows and Doors. Lubricate windows and door hinges for ease of operation
• Lubricating the Garage Door Opener. Lubricate garage door opener track and rollers
• Replacing Weatherstripping. Replace weatherstripping at doors periodically, especially when repainting
• Cleaning Your Dishwasher. Clean the inside of the dishwasher, especially the screens and reservoir
• Washing Windows Annually. Wash screens and windows annually
• Cleaning Your Refrigerator Coil. Clean the coil on the backside of the fridge
• Trimming Vegetation. Stay on top of tree, shrub, and bush trimming away from your house. This helps prevent exterior damage due to pests and deterioration.

The Easiest Home Maintenance? Walk Around & Observe Your Home

“The one thing I see lacking in home maintenance everywhere involves homeowners simply walking around their houses looking at things,” Kjeldsen added. “When was the last time you walked around your home’s exterior? Homeowners should walk outside their homes, observe, and access anything that doesn’t look right. The same should happen inside.”

Doing this regularly helps you notice changes and/or damages more easily.

Inside the home, Kjeldsen recommends homeowners always be on the lookout for leaks and water damage, including:

• Inspecting Sinks, Faucets, and Pipes. Look under the sinks for leaks, clogs, and/or corrosion.
• Checking Toilets. Check the toilet for leaks or damage to components.
• Looking Inside Utility Rooms. Check for any corroded or leaking water or drain piping.
• Inspecting Water Heaters. Give your water heater a good look and check for damage

Using a Checklist Simplifies Your Home Maintenance Routine

When you buy a home and realize just how much maintenance you should be doing, it can feel overwhelming. That’s the beauty of using a home maintenance checklist throughout the year. Tackle little tasks and quick checks seasonally, monthly, and annually and simplify your upkeep. It’ll be a more sustainable routine over time.

The checklist also comes in handy should you plan to sell your home. Ideally, you’ll have fewer repairs to complete ahead of selling as well as an easy maintenance record you can pass on to the buyer.

Love Doing Home Maintenance? Consider Home Inspector Training!

Home inspector training helps you understand the inner workings of homes on a whole new level. And it could be the start of a new career journey.

AHIT home inspector training teaches you everything you need to know, from how to inspect major home systems to writing home inspection reports, communicating with clients, marketing your business, keeping it successful, and so much more. Learn more about becoming a home inspector and AHIT’s approach to training today.