13 resolutions every homeowner should make for 2022

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kitchen and dining room — Raymond Forbes LLC/Stocksy

This article originally published on Thumbtack and is syndicated by Cheapism.

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 xi 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 in 2021, focus on what you can do in 2022. 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.

All of those tedious little jobs you’ve neglected can be taken care of by a professional handyman — fast. 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 start noticing these little things daily, so this year, resolve to start fixing them.

This year, health and cleanliness is top of everyone’s mind. You can’t control every environment you walk into, but you can make it as healthy and safe as possible.

To start the year out 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 that you didn’t know was there.

Your garage, basement and attic are great spaces to store lesser-used items, but they also collect clutter like nobody’s business. 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 pick-up services so you don’t need to get off the couch (unless it’s part of your junk pile).

organized room — © KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStock

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 you and your family to follow. This will help you keep your home in top shape all year year.

Backyard deck landscaping — Raymond Forbes LLC/Stocksy

Now that we’re home more, we’re also hanging in the yard or on the porch. You’ve probably noticed a few places that need some TLC. Your garden may need a weeding and your flowerbed 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 prevent them from damaging your property.

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 in 2022 can prolong their lives.

Maintaining your home’s exterior helps you protect other areas of your home. Regularly cleaning your gutters to get rid of leaves, ice or blockages of any kind can prevent roof damage. So schedule an annual chimney and roof inspection to ensure there isn’t any soot, leaks, mildew or shingle damage. And if you have any visible leaks or holes on your roof, contact a roofing professional as soon as possible to do the repairs before it gets any worse.

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.

Smart appliances or 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.

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.

water heater heating element — STEKLO/Shutterstock

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 2022. 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 on 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.

You may have a few home projects you wanted to do but didn’t find the time. Well, 2022 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.

Before you take on any home project in 2022: 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 2022, 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, get a sense of what types of professionals you need to hire, and reach out to them for cost estimates so you plan and budget.