Home Maintenance Guide for New Homeowners

Seasonal Maintenance

Summer: Service air conditioning (annually), check smoke alarm batteries, clean gutters before storm season, inspect for termites (annual professional inspection recommended in most of Australia). Autumn: Clean gutters again (leaves), service heater before winter, check window seals. Winter: Check roof for leaks during rain, test safety switches, clean dryer vents (fire hazard). Spring: Garden preparation, external house wash, check plumbing for winter damage.

Finding Reliable Tradies

For plumbing, electrical, and gas work, you MUST use licensed tradespeople. Check licences at your state's Fair Trading website. Finding good tradies: ask neighbours, check Google reviews, use HiPages or ServiceSeeking for quotes, get at least 3 quotes for any major work. Never pay the full amount upfront — standard is 10-20% deposit, balance on completion. Get quotes in writing.

DIY vs Professional

DIY safe: Painting, gardening, minor repairs, picture hanging, furniture assembly, cleaning gutters (if single-storey). Must use professional: Electrical work (licensed electrician ONLY — illegal and dangerous to DIY), plumbing (licensed plumber), gas work (licensed gasfitter), structural modifications, tree removal near power lines. Bunnings runs free DIY workshops on weekends — great for learning basic skills.

Termite Protection

Termites cause more damage to Australian homes than fires, floods, and storms combined. Annual professional inspections cost $200-400 and are essential — especially in Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth. Signs: mud tubes on walls, hollow-sounding timber, discarded wings. Chemical barriers cost $2,000-4,000 and last 5-8 years. Physical barriers are built into new homes. Insurance typically does NOT cover termite damage — prevention is critical.