A new home still needs looking after, and the easiest way to stay on top of it is a maintenance calendar. There are two approaches to maintenance: preventative (fixing things before they break) and reactive (fixing them after). Here's how to balance them.
C18 - 6 Month Maintenance Checklist
$59.00 AUD
Last updated 10 Oct 2026 · Revision 2 · Free updates for life
Checklist Type: Minor
Form Factor: Fillable, print-ready PDF (A4, 19 pages) with a maintenance calendar and log
When to use: After handover: your first six months and ongoing home maintenance
A 110-point home maintenance checklist with a calendar and log. Plan preventative maintenance, find small problems early and keep your warranties in good order.
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Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance means regular inspections and small jobs that stop problems before they start, like the dentist check-up that stops a cavity. At home, that's cleaning gutters, checking the roof for leaks and servicing your air conditioning. Done routinely, it extends the life of your home and keeps it running efficiently.
Painting exposed timber, for example, keeps it looking fresh and protects it from the weather, preventing costly repairs. Cleaning gutters prevents blockages that lead to water damage.
Reactive Maintenance
Reactive maintenance is the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff: fixing a burst pipe or a window broken in a storm after it happens. Sometimes it's unavoidable, but it usually costs more and takes longer.
Balancing Both Approaches
A savvy homeowner does both. Unexpected problems will happen, but regular upkeep prevents most of them.
Your first year matters most. Keep a record of anything that goes wrong, with photos and dates. Under Queensland standard contracts, the builder must fix defects that appear in the 12 months after practical completion, and QBCC home warranty claims for non-structural defects must be lodged within 7 months. Our C18 6 Month Maintenance Checklist lines up with that.
Benefits of a Maintenance Calendar
A maintenance calendar helps with:
- Time Management: Jobs get done on schedule and nothing falls through the cracks.
- Cost Reduction: Catching issues early stops minor problems becoming major bills.
- Quality: A well-maintained home looks better and works better.
- Value: A well-kept home holds its market value.
- Maintenance vs Make-Good Costs: Regular maintenance is far cheaper than repairing or replacing things you've neglected.
Implementing a Maintenance Management Plan
- Make a Maintenance Checklist: List everything that needs regular attention, from the roof and plumbing to electrical, gardens and the exterior.
- Schedule Regular Inspections: In Queensland, before storm season (September/October), clear gutters and downpipes, check roof fixings and trim trees. Before summer, service your air conditioners and check for termite activity.
- Set Reminders: A shared calendar with repeating reminders, or a simple spreadsheet, is all most households need to track jobs, dates and costs.
- Budget for Maintenance: Set aside part of your household budget each year so maintenance doesn't come as a shock.
- Learn the Basics: Knowing what to look for helps you spot problems early.
- Hire Professionals: For complex or risky jobs (anything on the roof, electrical or gas), get a licensed professional.
Conclusion
Maintaining a home takes a mix of preventative and reactive work. A maintenance calendar keeps you on top of it, saves money and protects your home's value for years to come.
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