Make Your Home Maintenance Plans for 2025

Setting Your Home Maintenance Goals

As 2025 approaches, it’s vital to start thinking about your future home maintenance plans. By identifying key areas of your home that require regular attention, setting specific goals for each area, and determining a timeline for these tasks, you ensure your home remains in excellent condition for years to come.

Begin by identifying key areas that need maintenance. This might include your HVAC system, plumbing, electrical systems, roofing, and siding. Walk around your home and note any areas that may need attention. Addressing these areas proactively can prevent more costly repairs later on.

Next, set specific goals for each identified area. For example, if your HVAC system needs maintenance, your goal could be to schedule a professional inspection and cleaning annually. If your roof shows signs of wear, plan to repair or replace it within the next five years. Setting specific goals helps you stay organized and ensures nothing is overlooked.

Finally, determine a timeline for completing these maintenance tasks. Some tasks may need to be done annually, while others might be less frequent. Creating a schedule or calendar, such as a monthly home maintenance checklist, can help you stay on track and ensure all necessary maintenance is completed timely.

Regular maintenance is essential for preserving your home’s value and comfort. By setting goals, identifying key areas, and creating a timeline, you can effectively make your home maintenance plans for 2025 and beyond.

Creating a Budget for Home Maintenance

Having a budget is crucial for planning ahead and ensuring you can cover the costs of necessary repairs and routine maintenance. By creating a budget, you can assess your financial situation, estimate the costs of necessary repairs, and explore cost-saving strategies and resources.

Start by assessing your current financial situation. Review your income, expenses, and savings to determine how much you can allocate towards home maintenance each month or year. Consider your other financial obligations and goals to find a realistic amount you can comfortably set aside.

Next, estimate the costs of necessary repairs and maintenance. Assess your home’s condition and identify areas that require attention. Consider regular maintenance tasks such as HVAC servicing, plumbing inspections, and roof repairs, as well as unexpected repairs. Research the average costs of these services in your area to get an accurate budget estimate.

Exploring cost-saving strategies and resources can help stretch your budget further. Look for discounts or promotions from reputable service providers, compare prices from different contractors, and consider DIY options for simpler tasks. Additionally, some local governments or utility companies may offer rebates or incentives for energy-efficient upgrades, saving you money in the long run.

The best way to streamline budgeting and minimize costs for routine maintenance and repairs is to buy a Sears Protect whole home warranty plan. For one monthly payment, you can protect up to 12 appliances and 10 systems. Cover any brand, from any store, of any age. If we can't repair an appliance, we'll replace it. You’ll also get at least $600 worth of HVAC tune-ups, a free refrigerator water filter, appliance parts discounts and non-covered appliance repair discounts.

This video explains more about the advantages of having a Sears Protect whole home warranty:

Having a Sears Protect whole home warranty helps make home maintenance budgeting a breeze. Get more details about this plan on our Sears Protect home warranty page.

Prioritizing Home Maintenance Projects

When planning your home maintenance projects for 2025, it’s important to prioritize them based on various factors. By evaluating the urgency and importance of each project, you can ensure that you address the most critical ones first.

Consider the impact of each project on your home’s value and safety. Projects like roof repairs or electrical system updates can significantly enhance your home’s value and ensure your family’s safety, so these should be given high priority.

Next, develop a plan to address high-priority projects first. This will help you allocate your time, budget, and resources effectively. Tackling urgent projects promptly can avoid further damage and costly repairs down the line.

Remember that routine maintenance can save you time and money in the long run. Regularly inspecting and maintaining your HVAC system, plumbing, and other critical components can help prevent major breakdowns and extend their lifespan.

At Sears Home Services, we understand the importance of prioritizing home maintenance projects. Our experienced professionals can assist you in evaluating, planning, and executing your projects efficiently. Whether it’s a minor repair or a major renovation, we are here to help make your home safer, more comfortable, and increase its value.

Developing a Comprehensive Home Maintenance Schedule

Having a comprehensive schedule is essential for staying organized and ensuring no important tasks are overlooked. Breaking down tasks into monthly, quarterly, and annual schedules is an effective way to manage your home’s maintenance needs.

Start by creating a list of maintenance tasks that need to be done regularly. Categorize these tasks into monthly, quarterly, and annual schedules to help prioritize and spread out the workload throughout the year. A monthly home maintenance checklist can be especially useful for staying on top of routine maintenance tasks.

Here's a general outline for a home maintenance plan for 2025:

Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

Make a monthly home maintenance checklist and set a reminder on your smart phone to accomplish these monthly maintenance tasks.

Inspect the HVAC System

Keeping up with monthly maintenance of the HVAC system will really pay off when it comes to energy efficiency and smooth operations of your heating and cooling system. Complete these tasks each month to keep your system in top condition.

• Replace the air filter.
• During hot months when you’re using the AC, pour a cup of vinegar or bleach down the condensate drain to keep it from clogging with mold, snails and/or algae.
• Check for any unusual sounds or odors. Schedule professional HVAC maintenance if needed.

Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Keep your household safe by testing all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors monthly. Check the batteries and replace them if necessary. Replacing batteries before they get ready to die will help prevent that annoying chirping sound they make that can keep the family awake all night.

Clean and Maintain the Garbage Disposal

Run ice cubes through the garbage disposal to sharpen blades. Follow up with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to eliminate odors.

For even better results when cleaning your garbage disposal, use Affresh foaming garbage disposal cleaner as shown in this helpful video:

Keeping your garbage disposal clean and deodorized will please your entire family and any guests that happen by.

Home Appliance Maintenance Tasks

Don’t neglect these important monthly tasks that will keep your home appliances working smoothly and operating efficiently.

• Clean out the dishwasher filter. Use a dishwasher cleaner such as Affresh to thoroughly clean and deodorize your dishwasher monthly.
• Clean the microwave. It’s hard to keep the inside of a microwave clean. Foods splatter everywhere during microwave cooking and reheating. You may even need to clean the microwave daily (or every few days) instead of monthly.
• Check the oven and clean if necessary. Use the self-clean feature if your oven or range has that option.
• Clean your washing machine using a product such as Affresh washing machine cleaner to help prevent laundry room odors and keep your washer operating efficiently.

Quarterly Home Maintenance Tasks

Inspect and Clean Gutters

Remove debris and leaves from gutters and ensure downspouts are clear and directing water away from the foundation.

Check Caulking and Seals

Inspect caulking around windows and doors. Re-caulk if necessary to prevent drafts and water leaks.

Inspect Plumbing

Look for leaks under sinks and around toilets. Check the water heater for any signs of leaks or corrosion.

Check the Roof

Look for damaged or missing shingles. Examine flashing around vents and chimneys. Schedule roof inspection and repairs if necessary.

Maintain Your Appliances

Quarterly maintenance of your home appliances includes these essential tasks:

• Refrigerator. Clean the condenser coils if you have pets. Inspect door gaskets for wear or damage and adjust or replace them if necessary. Replace the water filter and air filter if necessary. Clean the fridge thoroughly.
• Washer. For a front-load washer, clear out the drain pump filter and clean the rubber door boot with a bleach and water solution. Wear gloves to protect your hands when handling bleach.
• Clothes Dryer. Wash the lint screen with water and a soft-bristle brush to remove fabric softener and dryer sheet residue. Check the exhaust vent system and clear out lint build-up. Have Sears Home Services clean your dryer vent system if necessary.

Semi-Annual Home Maintenance Tasks

Semi-annual home maintenance tasks are easy to forget but they’re essential to help keep your home operating smoothly. Set reminders on your smart phone or device to accomplish these tasks.

Schedule Professional Inspection and Maintenance For Your HVAC System

Schedule professional cleaning and maintenance for your air conditioner in the spring and schedule furnace maintenance in the fall to help keep your HVAC system working flawlessly and efficiently all year long.

Clean Range Hood Grease Filters

The range hood grease filters are one of the most neglected items in many homes. Wash the grease filters according to the guidelines in the owner’s manual to help keep your kitchen well ventilated. Replace the charcoal filter if your range hood recirculates exhaust air into your kitchen instead of sending it to the outside of your home.

Check and Maintain Your Garage Door and Opener

The garage door is likely the single largest moving part in your home, so it’s important that your garage door and opener get regular maintenance and safety checks. If you’re like many people, though, the last time you really paid attention to your garage door and opener was the last time you had a problem with them.

Follow these tips to maintain your garage door:

• Examine your garage door panels, springs, safety release, hinges, rollers, weather seals, hardware and tracks. Tighten any loose fasteners (such as screws or bolts) that you find.
• If you have a garage door opener, pull the emergency door release so you can check door balance and travel. Open and close the door manually to check door balance and travel. If you find any problems with garage door balance or travel schedule garage door repair service to have a Sears Home Services professional fix the door.
• Lubricate the garage door rollers, bearings and hinges with a silicone spray such as Super Lube or a white lithium spray grease. Don’t use WD-40 because it will dry out the bearings, rollers and hinges. Don’t grease the door tracks—grease will attract dust and dirt, inhibiting roller movement.
• Reconnect the garage door to the opener trolley if you find no problems with door balance and travel.

Checking your garage door opener is just as important as examining the garage door for problems. Follow these tips to check and maintain your garage door opener.

• Check garage door opener travel limits. Open and close the garage door with the opener. If the garage door doesn’t quite reach the ground when closed, doesn’t open fully or opens when it should stay closed, follow your owner’s manual’s instructions for adjusting travel limits.
• Test downforce by closing the door with the opener and carefully grabbing the door with your hand when the door is halfway down to make sure that the downforce isn't excessive. When the door meets resistance on the way down, it should reverse and open back up. If you can stop the door using your hand, then no adjustment is necessary. If you’re unable to stop the door with your hand, reduce the downforce in small increments according to the directions in the owner’s manual. Make downforce adjustments until the door closes completely on its own but will still stop if you catch it halfway down. Excessive downforce is dangerous and can cause door and property damage or injury if anything is caught in the path of door.
• Check safety sensor operation by placing an object in between the sensors while you try to close the door with the opener. When the safety sensor beam is blocked, the opener should stop door down travel and open the door back up. Schedule repair service if the safety sensors aren’t operating properly.
• For a chain-drive garage door opener, disconnect the trolley and check the chain tension. The chain should be about 1/4-inch above the base of the rail at the rail’s midpoint. Adjust the tension following instructions in your owner's manual.
• If your garage door opener has a battery backup, test the battery. To test the battery, unplug the garage door opener; the battery status LED light should glow solid orange, indicating the opener is running on battery power. If the LED light flashes, that means it’s time to replace the battery because the battery power is low.

Schedule professional garage door tune up and maintenance yearly or as needed to ensure your garage door and opener work safely and smoothly.

Annual Home Maintenance Tasks

Although you typically only need to perform these tasks once per year, they are just as essential as the other maintenance and checks listed above.

• Inspect and clean the chimney. Schedule professional chimney inspection and cleaning. Check for any damage or obstructions.
• Examine exterior paint and siding. Look for peeling paint or damaged siding. Plan for repainting or repairs if needed.
• Check and update emergency supplies. Replace expired medicines and food items. Update emergency contact lists. Review evacuation and emergency plans.
• Schedule annual maintenance checks for all your home appliances. You can easily get this task done by scheduling a Kitchen & Laundry Appliance Check-up bundle to have all your home appliances professionally cleaned and maintained in one convenient visit.

Assigning responsibilities and creating a timeline is another crucial step. Determine who will be responsible for each task and establish deadlines for completion. This ensures everyone is aware of their responsibilities and helps prevent tasks from falling through the cracks.

Technology and tools can be incredibly useful for tracking progress and setting reminders for home maintenance tasks. Consider using digital calendars, task management apps, or smart home devices to stay organized. These tools can send reminders, track completed tasks, and help you stay on top of your home maintenance plan.

Maximizing Efficiency and Savings

There are several ways to maximize efficiency and savings for home maintenance in 2025. By implementing energy-saving tips and upgrades, utilizing smart home technologies for remote monitoring, and taking advantage of professional services for routine maintenance, you can ensure your home runs smoothly while minimizing costs.

Start with energy-saving tips and upgrades. Simple changes like switching to LED light bulbs or installing programmable thermostats can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers, which are designed to use less electricity and water.

Enhance efficiency by implementing smart home technologies for remote monitoring. With smart thermostats, you can adjust your home’s temperature from anywhere, ensuring optimal comfort while saving energy. Smart home security systems allow you to remotely monitor your property, providing peace of mind and potential savings on insurance premiums.

While DIY maintenance tasks are essential, some jobs are best left to professionals. Utilizing professional services for routine maintenance ensures that your HVAC system, plumbing, and electrical systems remain in top shape. Regular inspections and maintenance can prevent costly breakdowns and extend the lifespan of your home’s essential systems.

As you make your home maintenance plans for 2025, prioritize efficiency and savings. By exploring energy-saving tips and upgrades, implementing smart home technologies, and utilizing professional services, you can create a more efficient and cost-effective living environment. For expert assistance, turn to Sears Home Services – trusted professionals who can help keep your home running smoothly for years to come.

Long-Term Planning and Upgrades

Thinking long-term and planning ahead are crucial for maintaining your home. By considering future trends and advancements in home maintenance, you can keep your home up-to-date and efficient in the coming years.

Prepare for major renovations or replacements that may be needed. Whether it’s a roof replacement, HVAC system upgrade, or kitchen remodel, having a plan helps you budget and avoid unexpected expenses. Assess the age and condition of different components in your home to identify areas that may require attention soon.

Explore financing options for large-scale projects to make these upgrades more accessible. Sears Home Services offers various financing solutions to help homeowners achieve their home improvement goals. From flexible payment plans to special financing offers, local businesses provide options that fit your budget and needs.

Incorporate long-term planning and upgrades into your home maintenance strategy to stay ahead and ensure your home remains comfortable, functional, and valuable. Contact local service providers in your area to discuss your home improvement plans for 2025 and beyond.