Budgeting on a desk with calculator and receipts

1. Financial Prep

Build a yearly maintenance budget before problems appear. Set aside a fixed amount each month and split funding into three buckets, preventive service, minor fixes, and replacements.

Add an emergency reserve equal to one to two months of housing costs. Track spend by category in a simple sheet. Save receipts and warranties in one folder with clear labels. Review totals every quarter and adjust.

2. Regular Check-ins

Create a routine for walkarounds. Monthly, scan ceilings, baseboards, under sinks, and outdoor walls for moisture or cracks. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Press GFCI buttons.

Quarterly, clear gutters and downspouts, test garage door safety sensors, inspect caulk, and refresh weatherstripping. Each spring and fall, inspect roof from the ground with binoculars and trim vegetation away from siding. Winterize outdoor plumbing before first freeze where relevant.

Homeowner inspecting the exterior of a house with a ladder nearby

Front load washing machine and laundry setup

3. Appliance Upkeep

Flush the water heater annually to remove sediment. Replace refrigerator water filters on schedule and vacuum condenser coils twice a year. Run an empty dishwasher with cleaner monthly.

Replace washing machine hoses every five years or at first sign of bulging. Clean the dryer vent line from appliance to exterior every six months. Descale showerheads and faucets each quarter. Keep a single page with model numbers, serial numbers, and service dates.

4. Look Ahead

Log the age and expected lifespan of major systems, roof, HVAC, water heater, and appliances. Plan replacements six to twelve months before end of life and gather two to three quotes early.

Group similar jobs to reduce labor visits. Schedule work during slower contractor months when pricing favors early planners. Preorder long lead items to avoid delays.

Open planner with calendar and pen on a desk

Quick Annual Schedule

January to March, deep clean, test alarms, plan spring projects.

April to June, roof and gutter check, AC service, exterior paint touch ups.

July to September, irrigation tune up, pest prevention, deck and fence inspection.

October to December, heating service, weatherproofing, appliance deep clean.

Red Flags to Act On Now

Musty smell near walls or cabinets
GFCI outlets with repeated trips
Slow drains or gurgling sounds
Stains on ceilings or around fixtures
Hot breaker panel or flickering lights
Expanding drywall cracks

4 Tips to Keep Your House in Tip Top Shape