First-year homeowner checklist
In the first week: find the main water shut-off, the electrical panel and the gas shut-off, change the locks, and test every smoke and CO alarm. In the first month: check the HVAC filter, note the age of the furnace, water heater and roof, and start a list of what needs regular maintenance. Through the first year: do each season’s jobs once so you learn the house.
First-year homeowner checklist
Checklist
- Find and label the main water shut-off; make sure it turnsFirst week
- Find the electrical panel; label the breakers if they are notFirst week
- Find the gas shut-off (if you have gas); use it only in an emergencyFirst week
- Change or rekey the exterior locks; change the garage codeFirst week
- Test every smoke and CO alarm; check the dates on the backFirst week
- Check the HVAC filter size and condition; buy sparesFirst month
- Write down the age of the furnace/AC, water heater and roof (labels and the inspection report)First month
- Read the inspection report again; list the "monitor" and "maintain" itemsFirst month
- Clean the dryer vent duct (you don’t know when it was last done)First month
- Check the water heater's age; ask a plumber whether it needs flushingFirst 3 months
- Test the garage door auto-reverseFirst month, then monthly
- Do the seasonal jobs once: spring and fallFirst year
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The first year is when you learn the house
A new house comes with a year of unknowns: when the filter was last changed, whether the gutters were cleaned, how old the water heater really is. The inspection report is your best map. Reread it once you are moved in, and turn every "monitor" or "maintain" note into a dated task.
If you do not know when something was last serviced, assume it is due. A dryer vent clean, a water heater flush and a new furnace filter are cheap ways to start from a known point.
Know where things shut off before you need it
A burst pipe or a leaking water heater is a lot smaller problem when you can shut the water off in 30 seconds. Find the main water shut-off, the electrical panel and the gas shut-off in the first week, label them, and show everyone in the house.
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What you'll need
- Combination smoke + CO alarmReplace any alarm older than 10 years
- Furnace filters (check your size)Spares for the monthly check
- Breaker panel labelsLabel the panel in the first week
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Questions
What should I do first after buying a house?
Find the water, electrical and gas shut-offs, change the locks, and test the smoke and CO alarms. Then reread your inspection report and turn its maintenance notes into a list.
How much should a new homeowner budget for maintenance?
A common rule of thumb is 1% to 2% of the home’s price per year, more for older homes. Regular small jobs are what keep the big repairs away.
What maintenance does a new house need in the first year?
Monthly filter and alarm checks, the spring and fall seasonal jobs, and a one-time catch-up on anything with an unknown history: dryer vent, water heater, filters.
Sources
- U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) — Smoke Alarms
- ENERGY STAR — Heating & Cooling Maintenance Checklist
- U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) — Clothes Dryer Fire Safety
Related guides
General guidance for typical homes. Follow your equipment manufacturer's instructions and local codes, and hire a pro for anything you're not comfortable doing.