House Maintenance Schedule
67 recurring tasks keep a house in good shape, across 8 categories. Budget roughly $850–7,650 a year at typical U.S. prices — 60 of them you can do yourself.
Tasks tracked 67
Categories 8
Est. cost / year $850–7,650
DIY-friendly 60 of 67
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 often does a house need maintenance?
A house has 67 recurring tasks across 8 categories — from frequent, quick jobs to once-a-year items. The schedule below lists each one with how often it's due and what it typically costs.
How much does house upkeep cost per year?
Budget roughly $850–$7,650 a year at typical U.S. prices. 60 of the 67 tasks are DIY-friendly, which pulls the real number toward the low end.
What house maintenance can I do myself?
60 of the 67 tasks here are marked DIY — routine, low-cost jobs that don't need a pro. Each row below notes which is which.
Intervals and costs are typical-case estimates for U.S. owners; 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.