How to Use This Appendix

Use this appendix to inspect your home on a regular basis. Spring and fall are the best times to give your home a thorough going-over. These are usually the seasons when we tackle cleaning and maintenance in a big push.

For interiors, copy the checklists for all the rooms in your home. For example, if you have a basement, a kitchen, two bathrooms, two bedrooms, a living room, and dining room, you can make one copy of the basement list, one of the kitchen, two of the bathroom, and four copies of the general checklist, which covers any room without special fixtures or appliances. For exteriors, simply photocopy the exterior inspection list. Then do the following:

1. Date your lists.

2. When an element is in good condition, check it off.

3. If there’s a problem and you can fix it yourself, write “DIY” next to the description of the problem.

4. If there’s a problem and you need to call someone to fix it, write “Pro” next to that entry.

As you complete the maintenance and repairs on your inspection sheet, note the date completed, and the cost—either for materials if you did it yourself, or labor plus materials if you hired a pro.

Once you’ve completed your inspection, you’ll have a complete to-do list for repairs and maintenance around your house. It’s a convenient, simple way to keep your home in order, in timely fashion. These completed inspection sheets become excellent documentation of what you do, and how much you spend, in the years you own your home. Keep your inspection checklists in your home workbook (see Chapter 4).