Moving from renting to owning a home is a big shift in responsibilities. What was once taken care of by your property management company becomes your own task to handle, even if you’re not entirely sure how to handle it!
And while homebuilders like Legend Homes offer warranties that cover certain maintenance items for specific periods of time, there are still numerous items that new homeowners take on when they purchase a home.
We’re here to help. Check out this list of the most common maintenance responsibilities every new homeowner should know:
Minor Maintenance Items Homeowners Should Know How to Handle
These fixes can be handled relatively quickly and without professional support, particularly if you know what you’re doing. In many cases, these minor maintenance items are preventative and seasonal, like prepping for the warmer summer months.
A few of the most common minor maintenance items homeowners should handle themselves include:
- Changing light bulbs
- Replacing air filters
- Handling minor toilet and drain clogs
- Replacing smoke detector batteries
- Adjusting sprinkler heads
- Mulching and weeding flower beds
- Mowing and trimming your lawn
- Register your appliances
- Seasonal prep (i.e. winterizing sprinkler systems)
See more homeowner tips here.
Routine Professional Support Homeowners May Need
In addition to items you can fix yourself, you will almost certainly need to enlist some professional support during your time as a homeowner.
While these aren’t necessarily essential, they can help keep your home running smoothly — and prevent future problems from impacting your space. They include:
- Tree trimming
- Pest control inspections and sprays
- Junk removal and disposal
- Professional cleaning
- Interior and exterior painting
- TV mounting and other equipment installation
- Fixture replacement (including ceiling fans)
- Power washing
What’s Often Covered by New Home Warranties
It’s common for builders to include warranties that cover certain components of a new home. These provide added peace of mind for new homebuyers and serve as a promise to support owners beyond the closing date.
For example, everyone who purchases from Legend Homes receives a Structural Foundation Warranty through 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW). Every 2-10 HBW includes coverage like ...
- 10 full years of structural-defect coverage for load-bearing components
- 2 full years of distribution systems surety coverage against defects in wiring for electrical systems, plumbing piping, and ductwork for a home’s mechanical system
- 1 full year of surety coverage against defects in workmanship and materials
Additionally, Legend Homes offers a Builder Warranty at no additional cost. Available within one and two years after closing, the Builder Warranty is broken down into two components: one year and two. Here’s how it works:
- One Year: Legend Homes will fix any installation errors or quality issues within one year of the purchase of a person’s new home in accordance with the Construction Performance Standards under the Texas Association of Home Builder Guidelines.
- Two Years: This systems distribution warranty covers any defects found in a person’s home plumbing or electrical systems located behind the walls as well as their home's A/C ducting systems.
