Home Maintenance Checklist: Monthly and Seasonal To-Dos

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Cost of home maintenance

In 2023, it cost about $6,663 on average to maintain a single-family home in the U.S.—an increase of 8% over 2022, according to home-repair marketplace Thumbtack. For perspective, the median household makes roughly $75,000 a year. That puts annual home maintenance spending at about 8% of the typical income.

Mark Charnet, founder of financial consulting firm American Prosperity Group in Sparta, N.J., recommends budgeting about 4% of your home’s value for annual maintenance and repairs. It’s also important to have a flush emergency fund you can pull from to avoid going into debt for unexpected repairs. For storing these funds, high-yield savings accounts and money-market accounts are best, Charnet says, as they give you easy, penalty-free access to your cash at any time.

“Otherwise, a home-equity loan would be the next best place to turn to when it comes to covering the costs of maintenance or emergency repairs,” Charnet says. The average rate on a home equity loan is around 9% right now. That’s not nothing, but it is much better than the 20%-plus rate you might pay on credit card debt.

Monthly home maintenance checklist

Certain home maintenance tasks need to be done consistently to ensure your home is safe and running efficiently. Allot a few short windows of time each week to tackle these (most only take a few minutes to complete).

Here’s what you’ll want to do each month:

Test your safety devices. Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Replace batteries if necessary.
Check (and possibly change out) your HVAC filters. These need to be changed every few months. In between changes, remove any dust or buildup to ensure your system can work efficiently.
Vacuum dust (or pet hair) from your air vents and heat registers. Dust inhibits your HVAC system and keeps air from circulating efficiently throughout your home.
Clean your garbage disposal: Grind up a cup of ice to clean the blades, and then pour in some baking soda and rinse with warm water. This helps remove any slime or buildup. Finally, remove the rubber splash guard and run it through your dishwasher.
Tend to the lawn. Depending on the time of year, this might mean mowing the yard, raking leaves, weeding the garden, trimming trees or fertilizing the grass.
Check your pipes and drains. Run each sink and tub, and note any that drain slowly. These may need to be unclogged with a drain snake or drain-cleaning solution. You should also check for any leaks under sinks and around toilets. According to Docia Boylen, owner of Handyman Connection in Golden, Colo., “Water damage is what we see most often because of poor maintenance on plumbing items.”

Also make time to walk your property fully and complete any repairs that need doing. “Proactively addressing small issues can prevent them from escalating into major, costly repairs,” Powell says.

Spring home maintenance checklist

They don’t call it spring cleaning for nothing. Between March and June, it’s time to bring your home out of the winter doldrums and give it a thorough once-over from top to bottom. You’ll clean, prep your yard and tune up your systems, and if you live in a temperate climate, getting your home ready for hotter weather is important, too.

Having your HVAC—heating, ventilation and air conditioning system—serviced is a particularly important task this time of year, Powell says. “Neglect here can result in decreased efficiency and premature system wear,” he says. “It can impact both your comfort and your utility expenses.”

You can expect to pay between $160 to $400 for an HVAC tuneup, according to home repair platform Angi. You’ll want to do this at least once a year. Here’s what else should be on your spring home maintenance to-do list:

Inspect your roof and siding. Look for loose shingles or siding boards and replace them if necessary.
Clean the windows, both inside and out. Make sure to spray down any screens, and clean any dirt out of the frames and runners too. This task isn’t an absolute must-do every year, but it can help remove pollen, dirt and debris that build up in these areas that aggravate allergies and detract from your home’s curb appeal.
Get an HVAC tuneup. You’ll want it in top working condition before the weather heats up.
Power wash your exterior. Power washing removes mold and mildew, which can damage your home’s structure over time. You may also want to power wash sidewalks, driveways and curbs to keep up your curb appeal. You can hire a pro for this task (usually for a few hundred dollars). For the most economical option, though, buy a pressure washer and do it yourself. You’ll pay a similar price (but only once), and it should cover you for about 10 years if you maintain it.
Fertilize the lawn and mulch your gardens. You’ll want them both ready for those April showers.
Have your trees evaluated. Winter can be hard on trees. Have a professional arborist evaluate yours to ensure none are in danger of falling or damaging your house. Tree inspections typically cost $150 or less.
Clean out your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to water and snow buildup on your roof, causing damage. You should do this twice a year.
De-winterize your sprinkler system. Turn your sprinklers back on to keep your yard looking fresh once the weather warms.
Clean behind appliances. Pull out the stove, fridge, dishwasher and other appliances and clean behind and under them. You should also clean your fridge coils to help preserve the appliance’s life.
Deep clean the carpets. If you have any carpeting, rent a steam cleaner and thoroughly clean the floors of each room. Experts recommend doing this at least once annually or twice if you have pets. You can typically rent these at your local hardware store for less than $50 a day. Hiring a carpet cleaning company is another option if you want a hands-off approach. You’ll pay about $25 to $75 per room, depending on their size, according to Angi.

Summer home maintenance checklist

When the weather heats up, you’ll need to tend to your lawn more—watering, mowing and weeding more often than in other seasons. You’ll also want to ensure your home is sealed well to keep the indoor temperature comfortable.

Powell says maintaining seals and caulking around windows and doors is the most important maintenance task there is for a homeowner. “These components are vital for thermal efficiency and moisture prevention,” Powell says. Failing to keep your seals in good condition can let water and air in, increasing both your energy bills and the overall comfort of your home, he says.

Here’s a full list of what you’ll want to tackle in the summertime:

Check your windows and doors for air leaks. If you find any areas where air is getting in, use caulk or weather stripping to seal them.
Get your lawn on a watering schedule. Warmer weather can quickly dry out your grass. Make sure to water it several times a week to keep it looking green and healthy.
Mow the lawn. You’ll likely need to do this at least once a week (unless you’ve opted for a drought-resistant or on-trend “wild” lawn).
Reverse your ceiling fans. In the summer, your fans should run counterclockwise.This pushes warm air upward and keeps your home feeling cooler. To do this, you just flip the switch on the base of the fan.
Weed the garden. Not only do weeds take away from your home’s curb appeal, but they steal water and resources from the plants you actually want growing. You should also check for weeds on your sidewalk and driveway and remove these as well.
Reorganize your garage. This one’s not a hard must-do, but you’ll need your lawn mower and other lawn tools often this season. Having a clean and organized garage can make accessing these easier.
Oil your garage door. Make sure to oil the chain and hinges, too.
Keep your pool clean. Use a net to remove leaves, grass and debris from your pool regularly, as these can clog the pool’s pumps and other working parts. You can also purchase an automatic pool cleaner. These typically run from $500 to $1,500 depending on the model.
Prep your grill. If you plan to have any cookouts this season, clean your grill grates now. You may also need to stock up on charcoal, lighter fluid and other grilling accessories.

Fall home maintenance checklist

If you live somewhere with a lot of fall foliage, checking your roof and cleaning out your gutters will be the most important tasks this time of year.

“The roof is the primary barrier against environmental elements, so this element of home care is critical,” Powell explains. “Leaves and debris can build up and lead to deteriorated shingles and possible leaks, which can culminate in mold issues and structural problems.”

Having your fireplace cleaned and serviced (if you have one) is also crucial this season. This typically costs between $80 and $200, depending on where you live. Here is a full list of home-maintenance tasks you should tackle each fall:

Shut down your sprinkler system. Before the weather gets too cold, you’ll need to shut down your sprinkler system to prevent burst pipes and other problems. To do this, shut off water to the system, drain any remaining water in the pipes, and insulate any exterior parts.
Clean out your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to water and snow buildup on your roof, causing damage.
Get your chimney serviced. If you have a fireplace, it needs an annual inspection and cleaning. This keeps it working efficiently and prevents potential fires.
Check your windows and doors for drafts. If you find any areas where air is getting in, use caulk or weather stripping to seal them.
Clear out your dryer vent. This keeps your dryer working efficiently and reduces the risk of a fire.
Inspect your roof and siding. Look for loose shingles or siding boards and replace them if necessary.
Keep up with raking. Leaves can make it harder for your lawn to get the sunlight it needs to stay healthy.
Drain your water heater. This removes sediment and keeps it working efficiently.

Winter home maintenance checklist

Colder, winter weather can be hard on your home, so this season, it’s all about being proactive—wrapping your pipes, watching for leaks and ice dams and stocking up on supplies for potential winter storms. If you live somewhere without harsh winters, you’ll have less to do (though if you have even the occasional freeze, prepping your home before one hits is crucial).

Here’s what should be on your winter to-do list:

Reverse your ceiling fans. Your fan should run clockwise in the winter. This pushes warm air downward and keeps your home feeling more comfortable.
Wrap your pipes. If you have exposed pipes and faucets outdoors, wrap them before temperatures turn cold. You may also want to wrap pipes under sinks and cabinets if you’re in a particularly cold area.
Store outdoor furniture. Put these in a shed, garage or basement to prevent them from being damaged in the harsh winter weather.
Remove ice and snow as needed. If you live in a cold area, you’ll want to have sidewalk salt, a snow shovel, a snowblower and a windshield scraper on hand to ensure easy access to your property, even after a storm.
Watch for ice dams. If ice starts to build up on your roof, it can cause damage or even collapse. Ice dams should be removed as soon as possible.
Stock up on nonperishable food and firewood. These will be important if a winter storm hits and you lose power.
Check your basement often. If you have a basement, inspect it often for leaks—particularly when snow or ice is melting outside.

These lists might make homeownership seem overwhelming, but staying on top of your property’s maintenance pays off in the long run. As Powell puts it, “Regular home maintenance is the cornerstone of responsible homeownership. It safeguards your investment and ensures you have a comfortable living environment.”

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