Congratulations – you’ve finally moved into your house. Now that you’re settling in, you may have the urge to build a BBQ-worthy deck or the kitchen of your dreams. But before you put all of your eggs in the renovation basket, consider tackling some of the smaller, less expensive home maintenance projects first.
While maintenance projects may not seem pressing, leaving them undone can lead to huge issues — and huge repair bills — down the road. Keep in mind that 75 percent of homebuyers face an unexpected home emergency (think: clogged disposal) within the first year of living in a new home. Emergency projects can really add up – and require more time and money to fix than anticipated.
So what can homebuyers do to avoid costly, time-consuming repair projects in a new home?
- Click here to view a list of projects you should complete once you’re settled into your new home.
- Use this handy new homeowner checklist to complete the top 5 money-saving maintenance projects.
- Check out HomeAdvisor’s True Cost Guide to gauge the true cost of home improvement projects in your area.
- Take this QUIZ to find out whether you’re rock star-ready or utterly ill-prepared for homeownership.
Resources for First-Time Home Buyers 
America’s Costliest Kitchen Projects 
8 Steps to Good Credit 
Accounting for Contractors: A Basic Guide for New Contracting Companies 
Fix-It 101: The Fix-It Literacy Guide 
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