First Month in Your New Home

Stage 3 of 4 · Days 8–30

0/18

Home Systems Baseline

Schedule professional HVAC service

A licensed HVAC tech establishes a baseline, catches problems early, and sets up your annual maintenance. Expect $100-200 per visit.

Set the water heater to 120°F

Water heaters often arrive set to 140°F (scalding risk) or too low (bacteria risk). 120°F is the safety and efficiency sweet spot.

Test every GFCI outlet

GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor areas prevent electrocution. Press TEST and RESET on every one. Replace any that fail.

Inspect and clean the gutters

Clogged gutters cause ice dams, foundation water damage, and roof rot. The first cleaning establishes a baseline condition and frequency.

Flush the water heater tank

Sediment buildup reduces efficiency by 25% and shortens tank life. Annual flushing is standard; month one sets the cadence.

Efficiency & Envelope

Check attic insulation depth

Most attics should have R-49 to R-60 insulation (14-18 inches). Less than 10 inches is a high-ROI energy upgrade worth addressing this year.

Inspect caulk and grout

Failed caulk around tubs, showers, sinks, and windows lets water into places it shouldn't go. Re-caulk problem areas with $5 supplies and 30 minutes.

Check drainage after rain

During the next heavy rain, walk the perimeter. Pooling water near the foundation causes slab leaks and basement moisture, catch grading problems now.

Deep clean major appliances

Now that you've used them for a few weeks, clean fridge coils, dishwasher filter, washer gasket, and dryer lint housing. Extends appliance life 5-10 years.

Protection & Insurance

Create a home inventory for insurance

Video every room, every closet, every drawer. If disaster strikes, this documentation is the difference between fair reimbursement and arguing with an adjuster.

Register warranties and serial numbers

Appliance manufacturers typically require registration for full warranty coverage. Do this for every appliance while you still have the paperwork.

Build a home emergency kit

Flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, first aid, manual can opener, hand-crank radio. 72 hours of supplies for power outages and storms.

Implement pest prevention protocols

Seal gaps under sinks, install door sweeps, fix moisture, keep firewood away from the house. Preventing pests costs less than evicting them.

Maintenance Network

Build your trusted contractor contacts

Plumber, electrician, HVAC tech, handyman, roofer. Ask neighbors for referrals. Save numbers in your phone before a pipe bursts at 10pm.

Create a home maintenance calendar

Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual tasks scheduled in your phone calendar. Without reminders, 80% of homeowners skip critical maintenance.

Set up a home maintenance fund

Budget 1-2% of your home's value annually for repairs and maintenance. For a $400,000 home, that is $4,000-8,000 per year. Automate the savings transfer.

Settle & Personalize

Finish unpacking completely

Set a deadline and stick to it. Boxes sitting for three weeks won't magically unpack. If you haven't opened it yet, consider donating the contents.

Learn your landscape

Identify plants, trees, irrigation zones, and sun patterns. Understanding what you have prevents accidentally killing expensive plants or missing seasonal care.

New homeowner timeline

Stage 1

Before Move-In

Closing to move day

Stage 2

First Week

Days 1-7 setup

Stage 3 · Current

First Month

18 tasks · Days 8-30

Stage 4

First Year

Full annual cycle

First Month FAQ Seasonal Maintenance All Checklists