An extended vacation can bring on feelings of joy and excitement, but it can also make us feel anxious about the issues we still have to face when we get home. If your property has fallen into disarray over the course of a few years, you may be determined to get it back on track, especially before you set off on your trip. Fortunately, this article will guide you on how to create the ultimate household management checklist so that you can enjoy your holiday without a care in the world.
Signs You Need a Household Management Checklist
You Struggle to Keep On Top of Household Tasks
In between work and taking the kids to school, you may not have the time or energy to complete vital chores around the house. Although this experience is very common, it can also lead to much larger problems such as decay, rotting, and general uncleanliness. Therefore, you may benefit from sitting down and working on an effective household management checklist so that you can tick these tasks off of your to-do list without compromising your work or family life.
The House Is Packed Full of Stuff
As we go through life, it can be tempting to hold onto every precious thing. However, this habit can allow us to run out of space pretty fast, leaving our homes feeling overcrowded and congested. Simply, decluttering our spaces can help us resolve this issue, but if you are eager to find a longer-term solution, it may be best to recruit a contractor who can alter the entire layout of your property. Thus, you can keep hold of your most prized possessions, without having to shove them into closets or throw them into vast storage containers.
You Are Starting to Get Stressed
A little bit of stress can motivate us to keep pushing forward and achieving our goals, but too much can lead us to avoid our most crucial responsibilities. Therefore, if your chores are beginning to overwhelm you, it can make you less likely to act on them. A household management checklist can help us reorganize our priorities, ensuring that we can complete each task step by step. This can make maintenance a much simpler feat, allowing you to feel more calm and confident in your own home.
You Are Spending Too Much Money on Your Home
A few trinkets and decorative items can really make your space stand out, but if you are using these items to hide your property’s structural flaws, you may be traveling down the wrong path. These items can be very expensive and do nothing to really improve the quality of your home, making them essentially redundant. Thus, if you find yourself browsing through department stores to avoid contacting a local handyman, you may be better off building a household management checklist.
9 Tasks to Add to Your Household Management Checklist
1. Clear Out the Garage
If you are lucky enough to have a garage on your property, it is vital that you keep it well-maintained so that you can continue to reap the benefits. Many people treat their garages as a glorified storage unit, filling it full of old stuff until it finally breaks. A simple garage door repair can completely transform the quality of your garage, meaning that it can be used more efficiently to help keep your vehicle safe and dry. If you are in a similar position, it is good practice to reach out to some garage door repair companies to see if you can bring your garage back to life.
2. Clean up Any Messes
No one likes to come to a dirty house after enjoying an extended vacation, so it is a good idea to clean the entirety of your house before you go. For some people, this can seem like a very large task, especially if they have to care for the children or if they own a spacious home. Thus, it may benefit you to reach out to a local cleaning company to see if you could hire a cleaner to help you complete these chores. These experts are well-trained in professional cleaning practices, meaning that you can rest assured that your home will be kept up to your high standards. Though it can be an expensive investment, a cleaning service can certainly help you remove some chores from your own household management checklist.
3. Check for Leaks
Leaks are surprisingly common in older homes, but that does not mean that they should simply be swept under the rug. If left to get worse, leaks can cause an abundance of complications including dampness, water damage, and moisture build-up. Although general contractors may be able to offer a temporary fix to your leak, it is best to recruit a plumber who can offer a more sustainable solution. These plumbers can also prevent future leaks from occurring, giving you complete peace of mind before you leave for your extended vacation.
4. Remove Damaged Trees
Trees can help to brighten any backyard, but if these trees are not regularly maintained, they could be a deeply negative asset. If you are surrounded by damaged or overgrown trees, it is paramount that you reach out to a wealth of local tree services as soon as possible. These professionals can help to eliminate any dangerous structures and clean up any remaining debris from your backyard. Thus, this is an essential task to add to your household management checklist as you do not want to risk a tree falling over in your backyard whilst you are enjoying your holiday.
5. Eliminate Any Pests
Creatures such as rats, mice, and spiders can infiltrate the home via the smallest of cracks, which can ultimately make the homeowner’s life a living hell. These pests are more likely to multiply whilst you are away because they are not under any threat, so it is best to get rid of them before you go. An extermination service is your best resource for this issue as they can eliminate the creatures safely and humanely. They can also predict where these animals are coming from and provide a series of remedies so that they cannot come back. For some people, these pests are extremely terrifying, and they would rather not even think about it. Yet, by adding this task to your household management checklist, you can sort the problem before it gets too overwhelming.
6. Insulate Your Home
A functioning home should remain warm and cozy during the winter months and proper insulation solutions can help to make this possible. Windows can be a primary source of heat loss, especially if they are old or showing signs of decay. Therefore, a specialized window treatment can help to improve the overall quality of your windows as well as make your home more attractive. A unique set of blinds or windows can also help to create a darker environment for sleep, giving you a prime opportunity to enjoy a good night’s sleep without any disturbances.
7. Allow Your Garden to Bloom
Gardens are very versatile assets and can really help to accentuate the beauty of your entire home. However, if your garden is bare or unruly, it may cause you to avoid this space at all costs. With the help of some acclaimed landscaping services, you can add a selection of luscious fauna and horticulture to your backyard, transforming it from a dull kernel to a hub of excitement. This is a great activity to add to your household management checklist as it means that you can revel in an expertly manicured garden as soon as you arrive home from your extended vacation.
8. Clear Any Blockages
Everyday items such as toilet paper, sanitary products, and paper towels can wreak havoc on our domestic water systems, leading to blockages in our drains. These problems occur on a regular basis but often require the help of a drain cleaning service in order to solve the issue completely. Although you can buy a range of traditional drain cleaners from your local supermarket, these products may not fully complete the job, so it is always best to recruit the help of a professional. If you allow these blockages to spiral out of control, they can cause complications such as foul smells, overflowing drains, and unsanitary water systems.
9. Maintain Your Backyard
Even the smallest of chores can really help your backyard stand out. However, some people are not familiar with the art of gardening or may have a collection of physical ailments that prevent them from completing these tasks. Fortunately, a range of local gardeners are at hand, focusing on typical tasks such as lawn mowing and weeding. Thus, you can relax whilst a trained professional takes care of your beloved backyard.
Benefits of Creating a Household Management Checklist
Helps Your Home Retain Its Market Value
A property that is well-loved and cared for is more likely to hold its market value compared to a property that has been left to rot. As such, by keeping a household management checklist, you have the chance to sell for home for a lot more than you initially paid for it. This is particularly beneficial for those who are looking to dominate the property market and leave with enough money to furnish their new home.
Avoids Risks and Safety Hazards
Neglecting your household management checklist can cause certain issues to get worse, eventually making your property unsafe to inhabit. Therefore, by taking control of these issues early on, you can protect yourself against any potential accidents or risks. In turn, this is a great way to protect your loved ones against harm, providing them with a safe and loving future in your home.
Helps You Save Money
Although a lot of home renovation solutions are very costly, they can help you save a lot of money in the long run. For example, by replacing your old roof, you can enjoy better insulation and keep hot air trapped inside the confines of your house. Therefore, this can help you to drive down your energy bill, especially during the winter. This is important for those who are looking to budget their finances more appropriately and use their disposable income to enjoy more exciting activities. In turn, by investing in your property, you can reap the benefits down the line.
Increase Tenant Retention
If you rent out your property to other guests, a household management checklist can help convince your tenants to extend their leases. This is extremely important in the modern economy, especially now that more and more people are renting properties. Thus, by simply taking care of your property, you can secure more tenants, which can also offer you a more secure revenue stream. Even if you do not consider yourself a landlord and perhaps advertise your home on sites like Airbnb or Vrbo, an attractive home will help to appease your guests and make them more inclined to stay on your property again.
Protect the Environment
Upgrading everyday appliances such as your air conditioning unit or your washing machine can help you reduce your energy consumption tenfold. This ensures that you are not overusing the earth’s natural resources and are able to preserve the quality of our planet. Thus, homeowners can benefit from a range of new gadgets, whilst still working to save the planet. This is particularly useful for more environmentally conscious homeowners who are eager to build more sustainable habits to help benefit future generations.
Before you set off on your extended vacation, you probably have a few things you need to do, such as pack your suitcase and organize your travel documents. However, you should also consider completing a few renovation projects so that you can come back to a fresh and attractive home, giving you the chance to kick back and relax as soon as you step through the front door. If you are looking to build a successful household management checklist for yourself, be sure to follow the tips and tricks listed in this article.
