New Homeowner Maintenance Checklist
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions of your life — now comes the responsibility of maintaining it. The first 90 days in a new home are critical for understanding your systems, documenting what you have, and fixing deferred maintenance before it becomes an emergency. This 15-task checklist covers the essential tasks every new homeowner should complete regardless of the season they move in. Many of these are one-time setup tasks that will save you time and money for years to come.
Safety
Plumbing
HVAC
General
Track all of these in HomeBeacon — free.
Schedule recurring tasks, get reminders before they are due, and keep a full maintenance history for your home. Takes 5 minutes to set up.
Get Started FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do first when I move into a new house?
The three most urgent tasks: (1) change all exterior locks, (2) locate the main water shut-off, (3) replace smoke and CO detector batteries. These three tasks address safety and security before anything else. After that, document your HVAC system details and check for leaks.
How do I find out when my appliances were made?
Serial numbers encode the manufacture date. For water heaters, most brands use the first letter for month (A=January) and the next two digits for year. HVAC units typically encode year and week. Search your appliance brand with "serial number decode" to find the specific format.
What home maintenance should I do in the first year?
Complete this new homeowner checklist in the first 30 days, then follow the seasonal checklists for your first full year. The first year is about learning your home: understanding which systems are aging, which need immediate attention, and establishing a baseline for normal vs. concerning.
How much should I budget for home maintenance?
The widely cited rule is 1–2% of home value per year. For a $400,000 home, that is $4,000–$8,000 annually. Older homes, those in extreme climates, and homes that have had deferred maintenance require budgeting closer to the high end. Start a dedicated savings account for home maintenance from day one.