Updated
By Alyssa Chua
Building your very first home (or moving into a new house) is a thrilling experience. And while it’s exciting to pick out your furniture or decide on the paint you will use, you may be forgetting the more practical yet necessary components of owning a home for the first time.
Browse on to learn some mistakes new homeowners usually make — and how to avoid them.
When you’re buying a home for the first time, it’s good to set a budget for everything your new house may require, including city taxes, utilities, insurance, and (especially) maintenance.
Buying your house isn’t the end of your spending — a huge chunk of expenses will come right after you move in. For example, you may need to spend money on these common home projects for new homeowners:
Research the cost of home projects you’ll likely take on, and get price quotes from several professionals for a more accurate estimate. Once you know the costs and set a budget, be sure not to spend beyond it with nice-to-have items you can do without.
While you need to save on expenses to meet your budget, don’t skimp out on quality when working on your home. From the contractor you hire to the materials your house requires, don’t let quality suffer.
The professionals you hire should be licensed, insured, and bonded. They should also have plenty of positive reviews from other homeowners. And the materials you use to improve your home should be durable, long-lasting, and safe to use inside your home. If you settle for questionable contractors and cheap materials, your home’s value may fall over time. Not to mention, you may end up paying even more for repairs and upgrades in the future.
Related: Smart ways to save on your home remodeling projects.
Whether you’re hiring interior designers, handymen, contractors, painters, electricians, plumbers, or anyone who will help you build your house, make sure they are a good fit for the job and come well-recommended. So, before you hire a pro, read this guide on how to hire a contractor so you know which red flags to look out for.
Building, repairing, and improving a home can be stressful — and the last thing you need is your pros to add to that stress.
Although it’s important to address serious home repairs ASAP, take your time if you’re planning to remodel or renovate your home.
Remember: no house is perfect. Even after building your house, you may be tempted to make adjustments or start renovations right away. If possible, refrain from making big decisions or undertaking projects right away. Get used to living in your house for a while. Learn the ins and outs as you move around. Take note of what makes living difficult and use that as a basis for renovating your house in the future.
You may also discover that some things are nice to have but aren't absolutely necessary. Or, you may find a more affordable workaround for some of the challenges you face.
Related: Best home remodeling ideas.
Here’s a pop quiz for you:
If you can’t answer all of these questions, you have a little bit of studying to do. Knowing these types of details about your home can help you stay on top of home maintenance and avoid potential catastrophes.
For example, if your pipes freeze or there’s a flood, you’ll need to shut off your water supply — which means you need to know where the shut-off valve is (and how to work it). If you have an asphalt roof instead of a slate roof, you should check it regularly for missing shingles. And if your home was recently renovated, you’ll want to keep an eye on those specific areas to spot potential problems.
Related: 9 steps to take if you bought an older home.
Buying a house isn’t the end of everything. You don't sign the deal and then sit back and relax for the rest of your existence in the house. You’ll likely have to deal with routine maintenance to ensure everything works just fine. The longer you put it off, the more damages you may have — resulting in many repairs, which will cost you more.
Take the time to learn about basic home maintenance tasks for your home’s interior and exterior. You should have a good sense of how often you should do certain projects (sealing natural stone surfaces, pressure washing, repainting your home’s exterior, changing the HVAC filters, etc.), as well as how to perform the tasks.
We’re not saying you have to DIY everything — but you should have a general understanding of the skills, tools, and effort required to do the job well.
It’s best to keep a list of maintenance tasks that you can check off monthly, quarterly, or yearly. It’s also helpful to have a list of seasonal tasks for spring, summer, winter, and fall. A seasonal checklist is extremely helpful if your new home is at a place where you experience various seasons.
From hot summers to freezing winters, you’ll want to make sure your house is ready for the colder and hotter months. Don’t wait for a high energy bill to make you face reality. Prevent your pipes from freezing, add weatherstripping to your doors, caulk your window, and more to prepare for temperature drops and rises.
Related: 11 ways summer weather can damage your home and yard.
You’re about to move into the house of your dreams, and you’ve never been more excited to jump in and get the work done. You’ve got to paint walls, get new furniture, toss out the old rugs — the list is endless.
However, it won’t work out well when you try to do several projects all at once. It can get confusing, and you may not have enough money for everything at once.
Instead, focus on one room or project at a time. Move on when you’re done and have a budget (and less stress) for the next project.
During inclement weather, your roof acts as your first line of defense. So, safeguarding it should be your top priority.
Is your roof sealed? Does it have a protective layer between the roof deck and the tiles or shingles? If not, your roof may blow off and expose your roof deck or ceiling when strong winds occur. And if you live in hurricane- or hail-prone areas (or experience a lot of strong wind and rain throughout the year), you might want to secure your roof to avoid constant damage.
Related: How much do roof repairs cost?
It’s often easy to forget your gutters. They’re pretty much out of sight or invisible to the eye. In fact, if you don’t get too much rain in a year, you may even forget they actually exist. Nevertheless, when your gutters become clogged with too much dirt or debris, they can cause a lot of damage to your roof and your entire home.
Before they do a number on you, it’s best to schedule regular gutter cleaning and maintenance. Ideally, you should check them at least twice a year — in the spring and the fall — which could save you a lot in terms of repairs.
Pro tip: You may also want to install gutter guards to keep as much dirt and debris from entering your gutters.
Related: Your complete guide to gutter cleaning.
When buying new appliances, furniture, and other items for your home, it’s worth asking about warranties. When something breaks down in your home, you may be unprepared for the sudden expense. Having a warranty to cover unexpected costs can be helpful, especially if you don’t have the know-how to repair it yourself.
Also, if you hire a professional to repair or improve your home, ask them about materials and workmanship warranty. These warranties typically cover the cost of future repairs if the contractor makes a mistake or the materials end up being defective.
Often, when you’re building a house or renovating for the first time, you may not be aware that you may need to get particular codes or permits. Changing your new home's structure or mechanical and plumbing system often requires permits. If you don't get a permit, you may have to pay a hefty fine — resulting in additional costs and delays.
Other home improvement projects may also be subject to regulations, but these usually vary from city to city. If you're moving from one place to another, you may find adjusting to the different requirements challenging, so it's best to ask a local professional about it.
Whether you plan to DIY your projects or oversee professionals as they help you put together your dream home, make sure you are wearing safety gear. If you’re taking on a DIY project, check that you know how to use the equipment correctly and that it is up to code.
If you face any issues or challenges, abandon the project and leave it to the professional — don’t risk injuring yourself (or others) by making mistakes.
Related: When to skip DIY and hire a pro instead.
Who doesn’t love new, shiny, bright appliances? If your home has an old and outdated washer or dryer, refrigerator, or dishwasher, it makes sense to replace it.
But don’t rush it. There are a few things to consider before you make your purchase. For example:
When you need repairs or a replacement, your homeowners insurance policy may come in handy. For example, depending on your policy, you may be able to submit a claim for a roof replacement. Or, your insurance will likely cover a burst pipe.
However, there are a few things that are not typically covered in policies. These include:
That last bullet point is another reason why staying on top of maintenance is so important.
If you aren’t sure about what goes on in owning a home for the first time, you may make many mistakes — some of which could cost you a great deal of time, money, and effort. Avoid these common mishaps by downloading the Thumbtack app and getting access to local professionals near you. They can help you build your home while you stay on top of maintenance and be proactive in protecting your home.
*A note about project costs featured in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll show you pros right for the job, with prices.
