While watching HGTV's Fixer Upper the other day, my husband and I were amazed at how gorgeous the house was and how much it was in disrepair. It was so sad to see such a beautiful home not maintained at all. The house had beautiful details like thick wood molding which outlined the archways and window frames and a beautiful front and side porch. We looked at each other and said almost simultaneously, "I would buy that house just to see it repaired and taken care of." We are not house flippers but any stretch of the imagination. We do enjoy a good DIY project as you can see throughout this blog. (OK - I enjoy a good DIY project. My husband likes to see me happy and helps out but would be content to leave it alone. LOL )
While watching this show, it made me realize how much houses have gone unloved over the years. After 2009, lots of houses were left 'As Is" due to lack of time and money. It breaks my heart to see this happen. It doesn't just affect the house, it affects the neighborhood the house is in.
All homes need TLC. It is your investment and even if you can't get others to help you, take it upon yourself to do the research and improve it. It just takes some research before starting. We didn't know how to do any of these project before we did them. We did research on the internet and asked the product manufacturer for tips. And we just started. You too can do this.
Now you are probably thinking, where should I start? To help you manage all the different tasks you may want to do in your home, I created these checklists you can print and fill out to help you figure out what you want to do first. There are three different checklists: Short projects, weekend projects, large projects.
All homes need TLC.
SHORT PROJECTS: The 1st checklist is for small projects. This is for small home projects like repairs. Only include projects that are estimated to take a few hours maximum. Some examples of tasks are: Change light bulb in shed. Change landscape light bulbs. Changing broken light switches. Click on the image below and when it is enlarged, you can print it.
WEEKEND PROJECTS: The 2nd checklist is for weekend projects. This is a checklist that needs planning. It will mostly likely take the entire weekend from start to finish. Projects that should be included are painting a bedroom. Touching up white molding on the steps. Click on the image below and when it is enlarged, you can print it.
LARGE PROJECTS: The 3rd checklist is for projects that usually involve saving money to do. You may even need help from experts for certain tasks in the project. This checklist would include kitchen remodels. Bathroom remodels. Getting a new deck. Installing a new patio. Click on the image below and when it is enlarged, you can print it.
Each checklist has a checkbox column to use when completed, a column to write to do tasks, a column for where in the house the task needs to be done, and a complete by date which will help you manage your time with all the tasks.
After repairing all these areas, you then need a checklist to maintain the new updated area. So I included my house cleaning checklists.
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HOUSE CLEANING /MAINTAINING CHECKLIST: I used in the past to help me breakup the house cleaning chores into five days. Click on the image below and when it is enlarged, you can print it.
By using these checklists, it will remind you what needs to be done and when you want to do it by. Post these checklists in a visible area to remind you. Work your way through the list. Remember: it doesn't need to be done all at once.
Let's continue the conversation, do you have checklists like these for your home? How often do you update them? Any tips for others about doing these tasks? Please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
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Rose M Griffith
Fun to see how many people live in 100 year old homes. Love that architecture, but we are in your basic 1980s split level. This week's blog is about redoing the deck! Love your check lists, even in a small house it is hard to keep track of what I did when!
William Rusho
Great suggestions. I have a limited time at my house, only weekends. So having a checklist is vital to ensure everything that needs to get done, gets done then.
Kire Sdyor
As someone who lives in a house built in 1880, there is always something to fix or repair. Tomorrow's project is removing the wooden soffit around the sixty year old garage and trying to convince the squirrels nesting there to move on. I usually keep one long-running digital list that I remove things as they are completed. Of course my wife points out that some of the tasks on the list are older than my teenagers but what can you do.
Lenie
We live in a 110 year old farmhouse and in order to be able to live in it you have to keep it maintained. I used to have todo checklist for everyday of the week on the door of my broom closet when all the boys were young - the only way to keep on top of things so your checklists here are great.
Tim
First off that is one of my favourite shows. Funny how it is often a surprise when you find out others watch the same shows as you. I am a lover of the old houses and wish I had the skill to do them up. I was once traveling through Burma and wished I could have bought up some of the old colonial homes there and brought them back to their former glory.
Ken Dowell
I live in a house that is more than 100 years old. So potential DIY projects tend to blossom on a daily basis. Hope I can fit them all on a single page checklist.
Sabrina
Print as many as you need, Ken. 😉
Pamela Chollet
I can tell when my life is to chaotic just by walking into my office. When I'm stressed out, my office is a mess! And when I'm not taking t the time to keep it organized, I know I'm not taking time for myself. And having an expensive home, doesn't mean someone takes care of it . I've seen some 4000 square foot houses with beautiful exteriors, but inside are falling apart. I think we're of the mindset to fix things when we expect visitors. Maybe we have to start treating ourselves like, "the company" we keep.
Sabrina
Great point, Pamela. We should change our mindset to "I am worthy to live in a well-maintained home". Thanks for commenting.
Mina Joshi
I do feel sad when I see homes which are in disrepair. We are not good at DIY so have to rely on the help of a handyman. But household cleaning jobs are done routinely through a list I make regularly.
Sabrina
You are lucky to have a handyman. We couldn't find one we liked so we had to figure it out ourselves. Thanks for commenting.
Erica
We rent so we aren't responsible for our own repairs. However, keeping the house clean is a never ending task. It feels like just when the house gets organized, it is already messy again. My solution for that will eventually be to hire a housekeeper. For now, my husband and I divide the tasks and we know we are responsible for our part on a weekly basis.
Sabrina
Good for you for cleaning a rental! I have known people who don't care to clean their rental just because they think, "well, it's not mine." Even if you rent, keeping it clean and maintained shows that you love yourself and are worthy to live in a clean home.
Donna Janke
I agree it is sad to see houses go into disrepair. Sometimes it seems as if the work in maintaining a house can be never-ending. I like your checklists. I don't think I need one for regular cleaning, but I think I need to create one for the things that need to get done only once in a while, so I start working on those before they become overwhelming.
Jacqueline Gum
Oh I so agree with you! So sad to see so many houses fall into disrepair, particularly during the financial housing crunch a few years back! The lists are great! I had lists that were so similar, particularly when it comes to cleaning. Very wise and smart and it keeps things updated all the time.
Marquita Herald
Well well, checklists! Yep, I'm a believer in checklists and I have them for all sorts of things. These are some really great examples and I can see where they would really help homeowners begin to get a handle on fixing their homes up. Thanks for the tools and inspiration!
Phoenicia
I like that you have categorised the tasks into small to the more long winded.
I do not have lists for cosmetic tasks, however I know off the top of my head exactly what needs to be done around the house. It really is never ending trying to keep the house in tip top shape!
Patricia Weber
Sabrina where I am in life now, I have a housekeeper. But recently when she was on vacation and they service sent a sub, I had to - you guessed it - look at a checklist! The cleaning checklist for home TLC that you share here are terrific. Thanks.