Building a custom home or completing a large renovation project is a major undertaking. When construction is over and you’re settled in your new luxury home, you can breathe easy–right? You can… if you have a home maintenance plan in place.
Homes don’t take care of themselves. Once construction is done, the most critical step comes next: maintaining and servicing your new custom home, post-buildout. A lot of hard work went into your project. It’s important to protect your home once it’s completed with a home maintenance plan.
What is a home maintenance plan?
Having a home maintenance plan, for the purposes of this blog, means having managed home services in place. This means putting all your home maintenance services under one point of contact. (Think efficiency!)
Home maintenance plans are usually a part of a membership program, and the framework includes both scheduled and preventive maintenance. The plan also factors in responsive maintenance (for unplanned needs) and provides access for punch list/odd-job completion, handyman services and project work.
Your plan would likely include spring and fall service days–to take care of essential seasonal maintenance work–and can cover anything and everything else in between. If you have a home remodel or addition you’d like to do, that can also be handled by your home maintenance team.
Why do you need a home maintenance plan?
If you are thinking about putting a home maintenance plan in place, there are some considerations to take into account. Read on to discover reasons why implementing a home maintenance plan can be a good idea.
Home warranties are not always enough
Each home warranty is different, and typically range from one to five years. What those warranties cover also vary, but generally only cover the labor and material related to installation. Warranties do not cover ongoing service or preventative maintenance going forward.
After completing a home, a builder will usually provide the homeowner with a resource binder documenting all trade partners, subcontractors and equipment involved in the build. Often times, your contact for needs moving forward, is the Project Manager from your build. This is great, in theory. However, in practice, your Project Manager is now managing their next project. Coordinating maintenance or repairs can be time-consuming and difficult to manage. Response time and follow-through can be an issue if your builder does not have a dedicated resource devoted to maintenance and service.
If that’s the case, you need someone in your corner to cover all regular, seasonal, responsive and emergency maintenance needs. Getting a home maintenance plan, and team in place can accomplish these goals.
Partnerships are needed to support post-construction needs
When selecting a builder for your luxury home, have an upfront conversation before your project begins about what services they provide post-build. Maintenance and regular service trips to your home aren’t usually a builder’s core business. They may not have the resources or infrastructure to meet the ongoing maintenance requirements needed post-construction. And that’s okay–you just need to understand going in what you’ll be responsible for when your project is complete.
Some builders may have partnerships in place, or can refer you to a resource to cover annual home maintenance, punch lists, handyman work and 24/7 emergency support. You can also consider hiring a home concierge service to handle your needs.
Whether you are referred through your builder, or elsewhere, the takeaway is to line up the right service-focused team to ensure your home maintenance needs are covered once your new build is complete. The best time to put a home maintenance plan in place is before construction ends. This ensures your home is protected on completion. Don’t put off essential maintenance because your home is “new.”
Preserve home value with preventative care
Owning a luxury home can be a lot of work, but it’s best not to let preventative maintenance slide. You put a lot of time, energy, and resources into your home. Protect your investment and plan for ongoing, scheduled maintenance. You can try the DIY route, or you can partner with a company to put a home maintenance plan and support model in place for you. Want to know more? Read about How to Find (And Work With) a Home Maintenance Company.
Your builder may have recommendations on a specialized company to best manage your home maintenance plan. The luxury home market comes with a need for specific care and services, so be sure to choose a reliable company that is experienced working in high-end residential.
Get small projects or supplemental work done
Working with a home maintenance company is an asset when you want to get small projects or additional work done on your home. Oftentimes it takes settling into your home before deciding on functional, aesthetic or nuanced changes you’d like to have made.
If your builder has moved on to their next project, or the scope of your needs is too small, they may not be available to help. It can be hard to find specialized services in the luxury home category. But, if you have a company in place to meet your home maintenance needs, then you also have a company in place who can also accomplish supplemental projects for you. As small as a project may seem, it can often require multiple trades and project management.
Working with a home maintenance company is efficient. The relationship can save you time, money and quite likely consternation. Spend more time enjoying your home, and less time managing it.
Want to learn more about a home maintenance plan?
If you’re ready for help with your home maintenance needs, MEC is here. MEC provides all-in-one property management, handyman services, and oversight of projects large and small. MEC provides customized home maintenance plans and membership options, tailored to the specific needs of your home and your lifestyle.
Contact us now for information on Annual Home Maintenance Plans and how we support distinctive properties for discerning clientele from the Back Bay to Newport.
