The New Homeowner Checklist: 9 Things to Do in Your First Year

Every home has its own systems, finishes, and quirks. Before you troubleshoot something, take some time to understand how everything works. Some of these items are best tackled with the help of your plumber, electrician, mechanical systems professional, and/or builder. 

Your new-home systems checklist

• Locate your main water shutoff 
• Label your electrical panels and what each breaker controls 
• Learn how your heating and cooling systems operate 
• Understand your home’s ventilation system 
• Locate HVAC and other system filters 
• Learn how to operate your water heater 
• Locate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors 
• Understand your water treatment system 
• Save manuals and documentation for major equipment 

If your home includes multiple heating or cooling zones, an HRV or ERV, geothermal, or another high-performance mechanical system, make sure you understand how the system is designed to operate, not just which buttons to press. 

A well-designed home works as an interconnected system. Heating, cooling, ventilation, insulation, air sealing, and humidity all contribute to how comfortable the home feels. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

If you’re unsure how or why a system operates a certain way, ask your builder or the appropriate professional. Understanding the design intent behind your home systems helps you operate them efficiently and recognize when something needs attention. 

A common misconception about a new home is that everything will remain exactly as it was on move-in day. 

During the first year, your home experiences its first full cycle of seasonal temperature and humidity fluctuations. Natural materials, including wood, respond to those changes. You may notice subtle differences in doors, drawers, cabinetry, trim, flooring, or other woodwork. 

These changes don’t quite mean something is wrong. They can be part of how a home, and its materials adjust to their environment. 

Keep an eye on the details

• Watch for doors or drawers that begin sticking 
• Notice changes in cabinet alignment 
• Record small gaps or shifts in trim 
• Take photos of changes in wood flooring or millwork 
• Note when issues occur, such as during a change in season 
• Keep a list of anything you’d like your builder to review 

Schedule adjustments together

Rather than addressing every change individually, keep a list throughout the first several months and ask your builder or installer to review everything together. Cabinet doors may need a small adjustment. Drawer fronts may need to be re-aligned. Hardware may need to be fine-tuned. 

These small adjustments are part of caring for a home built using natural materials, and they’re much easier to address when you have been keeping track of them. 

The first few months as a new homeowner can involve a surprising amount of paperwork. Instead of searching through emails or boxes when you need information, create one place for everything related to your home. 

New Home Checklist: What to Keep

• Appliance manuals 
• Mechanical system information 
• Warranty documentation 
• Paint colors and finish or sheen information, including trim, ceiling, and walls 
• Other finish details like tile, grout, and wallpaper details 
• Product names, model numbers, and vendor information 
• Contractor and installer contact information 
• Plans, drawings, or specifications provided by your builder 
• Records of completed work and improvements 

A digital folder works well, but a physical binder or file box can be useful, too. Organize it by category: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, appliances, finishes, exterior, and warranty. This will help you find what you need quickly. Think of it as your home’s owner’s manual. 

4. Pay Attention to Your Home as the Seasons Change

Your first year gives you the chance to experience your home through changing temperatures, humidity levels, sunlight, storms, and seasonal use. Pay attention to how the home responds rather than waiting for a problem to appear. 

What to ask yourself

• Which rooms feel warmer or cooler? 
• How does indoor humidity change throughout the year? 
• Where does sunlight enter the home at different times of day? 
• Are there areas where condensation appears? 
• How do exterior materials respond to rain, snow, or temperature changes? 
• Are there unusual sounds, drafts, or changes in comfort? 

5. Fine-Tune Your Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation

A home’s mechanical systems play a major role in comfort, indoor air quality, and energy use. During your first year, take time to learn how yours performs under different conditions. 

Your HVAC and ventilation checklist

• Learn your thermostat settings and schedules 
• Notice how the home’s air distribution system delivers heating and cooling 
• Know the difference between heating/cooling and fresh-air ventilation 
• Change filters according to manufacturer recommendations 
• Monitor indoor humidity 
• Pay attention to temperature differences between rooms 

Some high-performance and resilient homes use carefully designed and balanced air distribution systems to provide both heating and cooling throughout the home. Others may incorporate geothermal, heat pumps, radiant systems, or other approaches. 

No matter your specific system, it has been designed, installed, and tuned by a professional who has considered the building envelope, insulation, air sealing, ventilation, heating, and cooling systems and how they all work together. This is an important part of your new home and should continue to be managed by a professional. Your notes and observations are essential, but leave any systems changes to the installer. 

6. Schedule a First-Year Walkthrough

After you’ve lived in your home for several months, you’ll see things differently than you did during the walkthrough at the end of construction. 

You’ve opened and closed the doors hundreds of times. You’ve experienced the home during different weather conditions. You’ve learned which rooms you use most. You’ve noticed the small things that weren’t apparent when the house was brand new. While often overlooked, these provide valuable information. 

Before your walkthrough

Keep a running list throughout the year of anything you’d like to discuss, including: 

• Doors or windows that need adjustment 
• Cabinetry or millwork that has shifted 
• Unusual sounds 
• Drafts or moisture concerns 
• Questions about mechanical systems 

Then review the list with your builder or the appropriate professional. 

A first-year walkthrough with your new home checklist is an opportunity to address small adjustments and questions after you’ve had time to live in the space. 

7. Review Your Home’s Warranty

If your new home is covered by a builder or manufacturer’s warranty, make sure you understand the basics before you need to use it. 

Your warranty checklist

• Locate your warranty documents 
• Know the length of the coverage period 
• Understand what types of items are covered 
• Know who to contact with questions or concerns 
• Document potential warranty issues 
• Don’t wait until the end of the coverage period to raise a concern 

Warranty terms vary by builder, product, and type of work, so homeowners should refer to their own warranty documentation for specific coverage and timeframes. 

8. Establish a Long-Term Maintenance Routine

Once you’ve spent the first year learning about your home, it’s time to establish the maintenance habits that will help protect it for years to come. 

Silver Maple’s Home Maintenance Checklist by Month breaks down recurring maintenance tasks throughout the year, from seasonal inspections to HVAC care and exterior maintenance. 

Start with the basics

• Keep up with recommended system servicing 
• Clean or replace filters as needed 
• Monitor plumbing and drainage 
• Check caulking and sealants 
• Keep gutters and drainage systems clear 

Year one as a new homeowner is about learning what your home needs. The years that follow are about applying initial observations into a routine. 

9. Start Planning for the Next Five Years

By the end of your first year, you should have a much better understanding of your home and how you want to live in it. 

Maybe you’ve discovered that you would use a mudroom differently than you expected. Perhaps you’ve identified an opportunity for additional storage, a future outdoor space, or a technology upgrade. Or maybe you’ve realized that a particular room has become the center of your family’s life. Now is a good time to start thinking beyond immediate maintenance. 

Build your five-year home plan

• Identify improvements you’d like to make 
• Prioritize projects based on need and timing 
• Consider future technology or mechanical upgrades 
• Plan for landscaping and exterior improvements 
• Think about how your home may need to adapt over time 

A well-designed home should continue to serve you as your needs change.