Why You Should Keep Home Maintenance Records
Home maintenance records include important information to help you stay on track with your home while you live in it, and can help when it’s time to sell. How many times have you had an issue with the water heater (or furnace, dishwasher…) and couldn’t remember what happened the last time? Knowing that this is the second time you’ve had the same issue with a part and you’ve already spent X amount of money on it could help to make the decision to replace it. On the other hand, knowing this is the first issue with a part could mean a simple repair is in order. Either way, knowing the history allows you to make an informed decision. The best way to keep up with this is by keeping proper home maintenance records.
Detailed home maintenance records could also help fetch a higher sales price when you sell. Think about it- when you’re in the market to buy, you want to know not just when major utilities were replaced, but that the 6-year old furnace has been carefully maintained, as well as the exact colors used for painting. Big ticket items, like pipes that have been upgraded, may just help clench the sale. And while extra paint and tile probably won’t, they sure can build goodwill when it comes time for the home inspection negotiations.
What to Include in Your Home Maintenance Records
Keep detailed records for major systems, such as:
- Roof
- HVAC
- Water heater
- Plumbing
- Flooring
It’s also important to document ALL maintenance, repairs, upgrades with:
- Date
- Room/ System
- Work completed (detail, detail, detail! and photos!!)
o Was it routine maintenance or were you repairing an issue?
o If issues were discovered, how they were resolved.
— The old item you replaced is just as important as the new item,
example: “Replaced galvanized pipes in bathroom with copper or CPVC”
— Paint colors (if you need to just touch up and can’t match exactly, you’re
painting the whole room again… $$$)
o Where purchased (Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc.—different stores have different brands and codes)
o Brand
o Type (semi-gloss, flat, matte, etc.)
o Color
o Mix code
— Example: Home Depot, Behr, Ultra Interior Flat Matte, Porpoise, 790E-3
— Having even just a sample size of each color is a nice bonus for buyers
(I’ve never had a buyer that didn’t ask for this)
— Aesthetic or functional? (if the landscaping job is a drainage system in
addition to aesthetic, make note of it)
Plan Ahead for Future Repairs
It’s smart to buy extra materials for future repairs. This way, you know you’re getting a proper match and won’t have to worry if your specific tile, etc. isn’t available at a later date.
Be sure to purchase extra of the following:
- Paint
- Tile
- Quarter round and transition pieces for flooring (matching these to tile colors later can be difficult)
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