How to use this checklist
Homes differ, and so do climates. Treat this as a starting point and adjust it for your home, your systems and the manufacturer's guidance for your appliances. Where safety is involved, such as gas, electrics or structural issues, use qualified professionals.
The best way to use it is to put each item in your calendar as a recurring event, with a reminder a few weeks ahead to book the provider.
Monthly and quarterly
Quick checks that prevent bigger problems.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Check and replace HVAC filters as recommended for your system.
- Clean range hood filters and the dishwasher filter.
- Look under sinks and around appliances for leaks.
- Run water in rarely used taps and flush rarely used toilets.
Seasonal
Timing depends on where you live, so align these with your local seasons.
- Spring
- Clean gutters and downspouts, check the roof and exterior for winter damage, service air conditioning before it's needed, check outdoor taps and irrigation.
- Summer
- Inspect decks, fences and outdoor paint, clean dryer vents, check window and door seals, trim plants away from the house.
- Fall
- Clean gutters again after leaves fall, service the heating system, drain and shut off outdoor taps in cold climates, check weatherstripping.
- Winter
- Watch for ice dams and frozen pipes, check the attic for leaks, test the sump pump if you have one, keep vents and exits clear of snow.
Annual and multi-year
Less frequent jobs are the easiest to forget, so put them in your calendar now.
- Professional HVAC or boiler service, as recommended for your system.
- Chimney inspection and cleaning if you use a fireplace.
- Water heater check and flushing, following the manufacturer's guidance.
- Pest inspection where termites or other pests are common.
- Review home insurance coverage and update your inventory of valuables.
- Exterior painting, sealing and roof inspection every few years.
Getting quotes and briefing providers
Much of the effort in home maintenance goes into finding, briefing and checking up on the people who do the work. A little structure makes it far easier.
- Describe the job the same way to everyone, with photos, so quotes are comparable.
- For larger jobs, get more than one quote and ask what is and isn't included.
- Check licensing and insurance where your state requires it for the trade.
- Agree timing, access and how you'll be updated before work starts.
- Check the work when it's done, and keep the invoice and any warranty in your home file.
Keep a provider list and a home file
The most valuable home document isn't the checklist; it's a list of trusted providers. For each trade, record the company, contact, what they did, when, what it cost and whether you'd use them again. Add appliance models, warranty dates and manuals. When something breaks, you're making one call instead of starting a search.
When to hand home maintenance over
Home maintenance is a good candidate for delegation because it's recurring, it's logistics-heavy and it rarely needs your judgment beyond approving a quote. The costly part is your attention: researching providers, getting quotes, being available for visits and checking the work was done.
It makes sense to hand over when jobs keep slipping, when you travel often, or when you'd simply rather not manage contractors. With SuperHandled, your Personal Concierge keeps the schedule, finds and books providers, coordinates access and follows up, with your approval for every quote. Work and parts are paid separately to the provider.