13 home resolutions for the new year
By Thumbtack Staff•Last updated Dec 11, 2023
Last updated Dec 11, 2023
Table of Contents
- 1. Don’t procrastinate fixing minor home repairs.
- 2. Keep your house clean most of the time.
- 3. Clear out old clutter.
- 4. Get more organized.
- 5. Stay on top of outdoor maintenance.
- 6. Service and upgrade your outdated appliances.
- 7. Get your roof and chimney inspected at least once this year.
- 8. Give your home’s interior a fresh start.
- 9. Make your home more energy-efficient.
- 10. (Finally) get that leak fixed.
- 11. Get better at preventative maintenance.
- 12. Start that home project you’ve been putting off.
- 13. Be smarter about saving and spending money on home projects.
- Make 2024 the best year for your home with Thumbtack
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Over the past year, you've probably realized that your home needs a few tweaks. Maybe that small hole in your wall is now a big hole, the kitchen faucet keeps leaking or a couple of shingles disappeared from your roof. You meant to hire someone to fix these problems months ago, but it slipped your mind. And now your to-do list has grown.
Instead of stressing about everything you didn’t do this year, focus on what you can do in the new year. And if you get off track throughout the year — that's OK. Be realistic with your goals, and focus on prioritizing the essential home maintenance tasks on your list.
1. Don’t procrastinate fixing minor home repairs.
All of those tedious little jobs you’ve been putting off can be handled quickly by a professional handyman. These pros have a range of skills that cover everything from simple plumbing jobs to fixing damaged trim. You’ve spent enough time in your home to notice these small issues every day, so make this the year you start fixing them.
2. Keep your house clean most of the time.
Health and cleanliness are top of mind this year. You can’t control every environment you walk into, but you can make your home as healthy and safe as possible.
To start the year off right, hire a professional cleaning company to deep clean your house. Having your home cleaned weekly or monthly can help you keep up that cleanliness throughout the year. And a carpet cleaning service can remove grime and dirt you didn’t know was there. Start requesting free price quotes from local house cleaning services today.
3. Clear out old clutter.
Your garage, basement and attic are great spaces for lesser-used items, but they also collect clutter fast. We recommend removing junk at least once a year.
Separate what you want to keep from what you could sell, donate or discard. It’s the 21st century, which means you can even sell your stuff online. Many places offer pickup services, so you don’t need to get off the couch unless it’s part of your junk pile.
When you’re ready for disposal, contact a local junk removal company to get rid of all your unwanted items quickly.
4. Get more organized.
Now that your home is sparkling clean, decluttered and in good working order, start organizing it. If you're spending so much time at home, a little organization can make a big difference.
You can hire a professional organizer to help you set up a system for your family to follow. This will help you keep your home in top shape all year long.
5. Stay on top of outdoor maintenance.
Now that we’re home more, we’re also spending more time in the yard or on the porch. You’ve probably noticed a few places that need some TLC. Your garden may need weeding and your flower bed could use a few more plants. Your bushes and trees should be pruned, and your lawn needs regular mowing. Depending on your local climate, these tasks can be tackled throughout the year. If you live in a rainy or snowy climate, get any dead trees or limbs removed to help prevent them from damaging your property.
Hiring a professional landscaper or lawn care professional for these tasks will help you safely get the job done right.
6. Service and upgrade your outdated appliances.
Your stove, washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator and dryer have had a busy year too. If your oven doesn’t seem to be getting hot enough or your refrigerator is making a strange noise, contact an appliance service professional to inspect it. Appliances wear out over time, so having them regularly checked and repaired can help prolong their lives.
7. Get your roof and chimney inspected at least once this year.
Maintaining your home’s exterior helps protect the rest of your house. Regularly cleaning your gutters to get rid of leaves, ice or other blockages can help prevent roof damage. So schedule an annual chimney and roof inspection to make sure there isn’t any soot, leaks, mildew or shingle damage. And if you have any visible leaks or holes in your roof, contact a roofing professional as soon as possible to do the repairs before it gets any worse.
8. Give your home’s interior a fresh start.
We all want a fresh start in the new year, so why not give your house one too? You’ve spent months looking at those walls, and it’s time for a refresh.
Pick a new color for the dark, dingy or chipped room in your house, and hire an interior painter. Or simply do some touch-ups yourself. Go even further and hire an interior designer or decorator to give your space a look you’ll love.
9. Make your home more energy-efficient.
Smart appliances and products can help make your life easier and more efficient. Hire a professional to install a smart thermostat so you can control your home’s heating and cooling from anywhere with the touch of a button. Or consider installing a solar panel roof to save money on electricity.
Purchasing smart or energy-efficient appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers can also save you money long term. There are even smart plugs that can keep you connected anywhere in the house.
10. (Finally) get that leak fixed.
If you have a bucket under the kitchen sink or a towel wrapped around the toilet base, it’s time to call a plumber. Small leaks can lead to big issues if left untreated. Plumbing repair jobs are important to complete so you can avoid severe water damage. For example, a leak under a sink could lead to cabinet replacement or an entire floor renovation. Contact a professional plumber to do these repairs ASAP.
11. Get better at preventative maintenance.
The key to saving money on home repairs is preventative maintenance. This means taking good care of your home now to avoid big, costly and time-consuming repairs in 2024. Make sure you do these things throughout the year:
- Inspect your home (inside and outside) for signs of leaks, rotting wood, mold, pests and other damage. Catch small issues early to avoid major structural damage down the line.
- Get your HVAC, furnace, water heater and other appliances serviced and cleaned as the seasons change. Otherwise, they could break down and you’ll be forced to replace them.
- Insulate your pipes to prevent them from bursting during the cold months.
- Clean your home’s interior and exterior. For example, cleaning your gutters can prevent major roof, pest and foundation issues.
- Re-seal surfaces around your home (tile, counters, concrete, decks, etc.) to keep them looking brand new.
12. Start that home project you’ve been putting off.
You may have a few home projects you wanted to do but didn’t find the time for. Well, 2024 is your chance.
Finish off your basement. Build a deck for outdoor meals. Remodel your outdated kitchen. These may seem like big projects, but hiring a contractor can help you get through the process — and a beautiful finished product doesn’t hurt either.
13. Be smarter about saving and spending money on home projects.
Before you take on any home project in 2024, do your research. Here are our suggestions:
- Figure out which materials, furnishings, fixtures and appliances are worth the cost. Some materials are cheap but won’t last as long as others.
- Identify the best time to start home projects based on supply and demand.
- Get several cost estimates before you hire anyone. That way, you can help ensure you’re paying a fair price.
- Make sure you have enough money saved before you invest in a costly remodeling project.
- And when it comes to home remodeling projects, get an idea of what kind of return on your investment you can expect.
Once you’ve decided which projects you want to start in 2024, start building your team of pros. You might need to hire a general contractor and/or an interior designer for larger home remodels. Or, maybe you just need an interior painter or a tile installer.
Either way, figure out what types of professionals you need to hire, and reach out to them for cost estimates so you can plan and budget.
Make 2024 the best year for your home with Thumbtack
This new year may be one of the most anticipated in a long time. Everyone is looking for a clean slate and wants 2024 to be the best it can be. If you use this list of New Year’s resolutions, you can make your time at home more enjoyable and comfortable for your family.
Start making your resolutions now, and use Thumbtack to find home maintenance and repair professionals who can help you stick to those promises.
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