How to Create a Home Maintenance Log
The Basic Home Maintenance Series
With a homeowner’s maintenance log you can keep track of maintenance and repair details about your home as well as improvements, updates, and upgrades you make over the years. You can store appliance and system manuals and instructions, warranties, and other resources, like where to shut off utilities.
How often? As needed
When? Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Estimated Cost? $10.00
Time Commitment? 1 Hour
To create your own home maintenance log, first collect and organize important materials in a binder or expandable folder. Add pockets or sleeves to organize receipts, manuals, floorplans, warranties, and so on. If you prefer a paperless version, you’ll need to take time to scan all these documents. Microsoft Excel has a great Home Maintenance Schedule template that is easy to customize and update.
What to include:
- Manuals and warranties – File home system and appliance instructions, maintenance records, and home warranty information. If you have a home warranty, keep a copy of the contract in the binder.
- Maintenance receipts and contact information
- Keep receipts and contact information from service providers such as: carpet cleaners, HVAC, garage door opener repair, chimney sweep, gutter repair, roof inspection/repair, solar panel cleaning, and more.
- If you have a home warranty plan for your systems and appliances, include service call information, repairs, and all contact information.
- List previously used service providers that you would recommend, such as painters, yard service, and pest control.
- Homeowner maintenance records – It can be easy to lose track of when you last performed maintenance so be sure to keep records of gutter cleaning/repair, painting, repairing decks and walkways, HVAC filter replacements, sprinkler systems, and window cleaning, including slides and screens.
- Home improvements
- Keep track of interior improvements including overhead lighting, fans, smart thermostats, storage systems, and dimmer switches, as well as low flow toilets and showerheads. Be sure to include information about refinishing/replacing of floors or cabinets.
- Record exterior improvements such as landscaping and sprinkler systems, exterior lighting, solar panels, window upgrades, pool resurfacing, fencing, decks, tree removal, and so on.
- Include specifics – When you paint, record the brand and color formula in your maintenance log. If your replace the roof, keep track of the type of material, color, manufacturer, and warranty info.
- Maps and resources – Record the location of shutoffs for the main water, gas, and electrical, as well as the electrical panel. If your home is on a well and/or septic system, map the well, septic tanks, and leach field/lines. Include location of solar panel control/displays and sprinkler junction box.
- Neighborhood information – Include information on HOA guidelines and fees and how to contact your Homeowners’ Association, if applicable.
A Great Selling Tool
When it comes time to sell your home, your home maintenance log is also a valuable reference that demonstrates how well you’ve cared for your home. Providing this kind of comprehensive record can really inspire confidence for the buyer who wants to purchase your home.