From the Home Story database
Home Maintenance Schedule & Checklist
Recurring home-care tasks by system, with how-often and typical U.S. cost.
Everything a house needs on a recurring basis — HVAC filters, gutters, the water heater, smoke detectors, seasonal jobs — grouped by system with how often to do it and what it typically runs. Print it, or let Home Story remember it for you.
Tasks tracked 67
Categories 8
Est. cost / year $850–7,650
DIY-friendly 60 of 67
Browse by home type
Appliances
| Task | How often | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Refrigerator Coils DIY | Every 6 mo | Free / DIY | Dusty coils make the compressor work harder; pull the kick plate. |
| Replace Fridge Water Filter DIY | Every 6 mo | $20–60 | Swap the inline filter; flush a few liters after. |
| Clean Dishwasher Filter & Seals DIY | Every 3 mo | $0–15 | Rinse the basket filter and wipe door gaskets; run a cleaner cycle. |
| Freshen Garbage Disposal DIY | Every 3 mo | $0–10 | Ice + citrus peel grind; check the splash guard. |
| Degrease Range Hood Filter DIY | Every 3 mo | $0–20 | Soak metal mesh filters; replace charcoal filters on recirculating hoods. |
| Clean Washing Machine DIY | Every 3 mo | $5–15 | Tub-clean cycle and door-gasket wipe; leave the door cracked open. |
| Deep-Clean Oven DIY | Every 6 mo | $0–50 | Self-clean or manual degrease; check the door seal. |
| Deep-Clean Dryer Lint Path DIY | Every 6 mo | Free / DIY | Vacuum the lint-trap cavity, not just the screen. |
| Replace Whole-House Water Filter DIY | Every 6 mo | $20–80 | Swap sediment/carbon cartridges; date the new one. |
| Clean Dryer Vent DIY | Yearly | $0–30 | Clear lint from the dryer duct and exhaust hood — a top home fire-safety task. |
Electrical
| Task | How often | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect Electrical Panel DIY | Yearly | $0–150 | Look for rust, heat marks, or buzzing; torque check by a pro every few years. |
Exterior
| Task | How often | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Gutters & Downspouts DIY | Yearly | $0–250 | Clear debris and confirm downspouts discharge away from the foundation. |
| Clean Gutters (After Leaf Drop) DIY | Yearly | $0–250 | Second pass once trees are bare; clogged gutters cause ice dams. |
| Inspect Roof DIY | Yearly | $0–250 | From the ground with binoculars: lifted shingles, flashing gaps, moss. |
| Chimney Sweep & Inspection | Yearly | $150–350 | Required annually for wood burners; every few years for gas flues. |
| Wash Siding / Check Paint DIY | Yearly | $0–300 | Rinse grime and inspect caulk and paint; touch up bare spots. |
| Re-caulk Windows & Doors DIY | Every 2 yr | $10–200 | Seal exterior gaps; biggest cheap win for drafts and water intrusion. |
| Inspect Foundation & Grading DIY | Yearly | Free / DIY | Walk the perimeter: new cracks, pooling water, soil sloping toward the house. |
| Seal Driveway DIY | Every 3 yr | $50–400 | Sealcoat asphalt every 2-4 years; fill concrete joints. |
| Clean & Seal Deck DIY | Every 2 yr | $50–500 | Wash, brighten, and re-seal wood decking; check ledger fasteners. |
| Pest Perimeter Check DIY | Every 6 mo | $0–150 | Look for ant trails, wasp nests, rodent droppings, and termite tubes. |
| Repair & Reinstall Screens DIY | Yearly | $0–50 | Patch tears before bug season; store screens over winter if removed. |
| Service Garage Door DIY | Yearly | $0–120 | Lubricate rollers/springs and test the auto-reverse safety stop. |
HVAC
| Task | How often | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace HVAC Filter DIY | Every 3 mo | $10–40 | Swap the furnace/air-handler filter; monthly in heavy-use or pet households. |
| AC / Cooling System Tune-up | Yearly | $90–220 | Professional check of refrigerant, coils, and condensate drain before cooling season. |
| Furnace / Heating Tune-up | Yearly | $90–250 | Burner, heat exchanger, and safety-control inspection before heating season. |
| Ductwork Inspection DIY | Every 3 yr | $0–150 | Check accessible ducts for leaks, loose joints, and insulation gaps. |
| Clean Mini-Split Filters & Coils DIY | Every 6 mo | $0–150 | Wash filters and wipe the indoor unit coil; pro deep-clean every few years. |
| Replace Furnace Humidifier Pad DIY | Yearly | $10–60 | Swap the evaporator pad and clean mineral buildup before heating season. |
| Reverse & Dust Ceiling Fans DIY | Every 6 mo | Free / DIY | Dust blades and flip rotation: down-draft summer, up-draft winter. |
Interior
| Task | How often | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Vents & Returns DIY | Every 6 mo | Free / DIY | Dust supply registers and return grilles; keep furniture clear. |
| Deep-Clean Windows & Tracks DIY | Yearly | $0–200 | Wash glass and clear weep holes in the tracks. |
| Re-seal Tile Grout DIY | Every 2 yr | $15–150 | Seal bathroom/kitchen grout to block moisture and staining. |
| Refresh Tub & Shower Caulk DIY | Every 2 yr | $10–120 | Cut out failing caulk and re-bead; prevents hidden wall rot. |
| Under-Sink & Appliance Leak Check DIY | Every 6 mo | Free / DIY | Flashlight check under every sink and behind the fridge/washer. |
| Tighten & Lubricate Door Hardware DIY | Yearly | $0–20 | Hinges, locks, and sliding-door tracks; graphite for locks. |
| Inspect Attic DIY | Yearly | Free / DIY | Look for daylight, wet insulation, pest signs, and blocked vents. |
| Check Basement Humidity DIY | Every 6 mo | $0–30 | Keep below ~55% RH; service the dehumidifier filter. |
| Deep-Clean Carpets DIY | Yearly | $30–300 | Machine clean high-traffic areas; extends carpet life. |
Plumbing
| Task | How often | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush Water Heater DIY | Yearly | $0–150 | Drain sediment from the tank; extends element and tank life. |
| Check Water Heater Anode Rod | Every 3 yr | $20–200 | Inspect and replace the sacrificial anode to prevent tank corrosion. |
| Test Sump Pump DIY | Every 3 mo | Free / DIY | Pour a bucket of water into the pit; confirm the float triggers and it drains. |
| Test Sump Battery Backup DIY | Every 6 mo | $0–30 | Unplug primary pump and confirm the backup runs; replace battery ~every 3 yrs. |
| Top Up Water Softener Salt DIY | Every 2 mo | $5–15 | Keep the brine tank at least half full; break up salt bridges. |
| Clean Slow Drains & Traps DIY | Every 6 mo | $0–30 | Clear hair and buildup from bathroom traps; enzyme treatment if needed. |
| Inspect Washer & Sink Supply Hoses DIY | Yearly | $0–40 | Look for bulges or corrosion; replace rubber hoses with braided ~every 5 yrs. |
| Check Toilets for Leaks DIY | Yearly | $0–25 | Food-dye test in the tank; replace flapper if color reaches the bowl. |
| Exercise Main Water Shut-off DIY | Yearly | Free / DIY | Close and reopen the main valve so it works when you actually need it. |
| Pump Septic Tank | Every 4 yr | $300–600 | Pump and inspect the tank; interval varies with household size. |
| Test Well Water | Yearly | $25–150 | Annual bacteria/nitrate test; full mineral panel every few years. |
| Winterize Outdoor Faucets DIY | Yearly | $0–30 | Disconnect hoses, drain bibs, and shut interior valves before first freeze. |
| Check Water Pressure DIY | Yearly | $0–10 | Gauge on a hose bib: 40-80 psi is healthy; high pressure wears fixtures. |
Safety
| Task | How often | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Smoke & CO Detectors DIY | Monthly | Free / DIY | Press-test every unit; they protect you only if they beep. |
| Replace Detector Batteries DIY | Yearly | $10–30 | Fresh batteries in every smoke/CO unit; do it when clocks change. |
| Replace Smoke Detectors (10 yr) DIY | Every 10 yr | $60–200 | Sensors expire: replace units 10 years from their manufacture date. |
| Test GFCI Outlets DIY | Monthly | Free / DIY | Press TEST/RESET on every GFCI in kitchen, baths, garage, and exterior. |
| Check Fire Extinguisher DIY | Every 6 mo | $0–80 | Confirm the gauge is green and pin intact; replace or recharge if not. |
| Clean Dryer Vent Duct DIY | Yearly | $0–150 | Clear lint from the full duct run — the #1 preventable house-fire source. |
| Refresh Emergency Kit DIY | Yearly | $20–80 | Rotate water, food, batteries, and meds; check flashlights. |
| Test for Radon DIY | Every 2 yr | $15–200 | Cheap charcoal kit or digital monitor, especially with a finished basement. |
Yard
| Task | How often | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Lawn Care DIY | Yearly | $20–200 | Rake, overseed bare spots, and first fertilization. |
| Winterize Lawn & Equipment DIY | Yearly | $10–100 | Final mow, fall fertilizer, drain fuel from mower/trimmer. |
| Start Up Irrigation System DIY | Yearly | $0–150 | Pressurize slowly, check heads and zone coverage. |
| Winterize Irrigation (Blow-out) | Yearly | $50–150 | Compressed-air blow-out before first freeze to prevent burst lines. |
| Trim Trees & Shrubs DIY | Yearly | $0–500 | Cut back branches near the roof and siding; remove deadwood. |
| Refresh Mulch Beds DIY | Yearly | $30–200 | 2-3 inch layer, kept off the siding and trunks. |
| Inspect Fence & Gates DIY | Yearly | $0–100 | Tighten hardware, check post rot, re-stain as needed. |
Common questions
How much does home upkeep cost per year?
Budget roughly $850–$7,650 a year across 67 recurring tasks at typical U.S. prices. 60 of the 67 are things most people can do themselves, which pulls the real number toward the low end.
What home maintenance can I do myself?
60 of the 67 tasks here are marked DIY — routine, low-cost jobs that don't need a pro. The rest are worth booking out. Each row below notes which is which.
Intervals and costs are typical-case estimates for U.S. households; your climate, usage, and local prices will shift them. Information here is general and may be estimated or AI-assisted — not professional, medical, or veterinary advice. Verify against your owner's manual, a professional, or your vet before acting. See our Terms & Disclaimer.