Add Value to Your Inspections: Create a Home Maintenance Checklist

Your client relies on you for your expertise. You provide an impartial review of the safety and sound condition of their home. You know how important regular maintenance is for a home. Pass your knowledge along to your clients.
During the early spring season, you can add value to your advice by providing helpful seasonal home maintenance suggestions. If the HVAC system checks out, you can still recommend a spring inspection by a licensed professional to ensure the air conditioning system is ready for the summer. Or, if you see old leaves and other debris on the roof, you can suggest cleaning to stave off leaks from spring rains.
Those conditions will come up naturally as you perform your inspection. You can add value by creating a spring checklist for your clients with suggestions to keep their home in good condition. Create a document and post it to your website so clients can download it. You can also hand out copies at your inspections. You probably have your own list from the homes you’ve inspected. If you don’t, here are some seasonal suggestions.
Suggestions for a Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Debris builds up during winter storms. Clean and repair gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage. Water can damage wood trim at eaves, creating a welcome environment for insects and critters to enter the house. Downspouts need to direct water away from the house, with no pooling that can damage the foundation.
Protect Exterior Woodwork
Winter is hard on wood structures. Make any needed repairs to woodwork: fences, wood decks, railings, trellises or pergolas. Reseal wood structures so they can stay in good condition and last longer. Sealant also protects wood from the harsh summer sun.
Check for Signs of Termites
Termites swarm in the spring from March through June, but termite activity might not be evident at the time of the inspection. Be aware of spring swarms—look for flying insects coming out of a hole or evidence of dry wood pellets or empty wings. Consult a licensed pest control inspector if you notice any signs of termites.
Save the Roof
Use binoculars or a camera or smartphone with a telephoto feature. Look for missing shingles, damaged metal pipes or anything that doesn’t look right. In shady areas, moss can build up over one winter. If anything looks strange, contact a roofing specialist.
Paving and Walkways
Winter freezing and thawing can crack and disrupt hard surfaces like asphalt and cement in driveways and walkways. Walk around the home to check for cracks or uneven surfaces. Asphalt can be patched, but damaged concrete may need to be replaced. Schedule repairs as needed.
Standing Water
Standing water is an invitation for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes transmit some serious viruses: West Nile, dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Walk around the house to look for any areas of standing water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following:
- remove, turn over, cover or store equipment
- remove debris from ditches
- fill in ruts and other areas that collect standing water
- remove tires, buckets, bottles and barrels that collect water
If necessary, install gravel drains, or grade the surface to eliminate standing water.
Window and Door Screens
Screens let in the fresh air and keep out bugs. If screens have holes or loose attachments, they may fail to deter insects. Before setting up screens for the warm months, check each one. Repair any holes, no matter how small. Most hardware and home improvement stores have screen repair kits.
Exterior Paint
Spring is a good time to refresh the home’s exterior paint. Check the exposure of exterior walls. Walls exposed to long days of summer sunlight may need refreshing before other walls. If you do it yourself, be sure to prepare the surface well.
- Wash off any chalk, dirt and mildew
- Clean and dry surface
- Scrape peeling or cracked paint
- Sand the surface
- Apply primer
Refreshing trim and shutters may be all the home needs. Be sure to follow the preparation steps for these touchups.
Irrigation and Sprinkler Systems
Well-functioning garden watering systems save water. Walk around the house to make sure all the watering zones are operating properly.
- Check for broken or damaged sprinkler heads
- Adjust any heads that are spraying the house to prevent moisture damage
- Adjust heads that are spraying the driveway, walkway or street to prevent water waste
Making these adjustments can save costs on water bills and preserve a valuable natural
resource. Consult a professional to provide advice or
maintain the system.
Air-Conditioning System
Change the filter for the spring quarter. Changing the filter on a regular basis allows the air to circulate freely, adding life to the system and keeping it running efficiently. Hire a licensed HVAC professional to check and service the system before heavy use in the summer.
Exterior Cleanup
Clean debris from foundation vents and window wells. If left, debris obstructs airflow to basements and crawl spaces, which can result in moisture buildup that can lead to mildew, mold and pest invasion. Debris left in window wells can build up moisture, damaging surrounding wood.
Home Pressure Wash Spring Cleaning
Pressure wash patios, decks, sidewalks and driveways to clean away debris and any invasive moss growth from the winter.
Give siding, fascia and soffits a spring cleaning, too. Wash away dirt and guard against issues like mold, mildew and fungus developing on surfaces.
Spring is the Perfect Time of Year for Home Maintenance
There you have it—12 ways you can help your clients take care of their homes in the spring. Your area may have particular regional concerns during springtime—be sure to add those to your list.
Giving your client a spring maintenance checklist is a great way to keep your inspection business top of mind. You will help your clients maintain their property value and help them avoid surprises.
Don’t forget to build your brand into the information you share. By adding your business logo and contact information to the checklist, they’ll remember your excellent
customer service.
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