A house maintenance checklist for New Zealand homes
Start with a walk around the outside, then work room by room. Note the date, location, symptom and next action for each issue. Keep photographs together so changes are easy to compare.
| Area | Look for |
|---|---|
| Rainwater | Gutter debris, overflow and water collecting near the building. |
| Exterior timber | Failed coatings, soft areas and open joints visible from accessible ground. |
| Openings | Doors or windows that catch, fail to close or show dampness. |
| Interiors | New ceiling marks, changing cracks and peeling coatings. |
| Outdoor access | Damaged deck boards, loose rails, steps and trip points. |
Keep water moving away
Watch gutter behaviour from the ground during rain and record where it spills. Our overflowing gutter guide helps distinguish cleaning questions from problems needing wider assessment. For a planned clean, see gutter cleaning in Wellington.
Check timber and outdoor surfaces
Look at exposed corners, board ends and places where water sits. Use the wood rot repair guide when timber is deteriorating. For decks, separate routine deck maintenance from a repair or replacement decision.
Record changes inside the house
A sticking door, a new stain and a crack may be separate problems or useful clues together. The guides to ceiling water damage, plasterboard cracks and peeling paint explain what to record before decorating. Describe changes to nearby openings too.
Build a home maintenance schedule
Set reminders around the property’s actual needs, including leaf fall, known problem spots and product care instructions. Check after significant weather and update the list when something changes. Use the winter checklist for autumn preparation, or the rental property maintenance checklist for access and completion records.
We provide property maintenance across Wellington. Group related tasks, while keeping immediate safety, security and active water entry concerns separate for prompt attention.
Start here
- Read the gutter overflow checks to understand rainwater symptoms.
- Use the wood rot guide for exposed timber concerns.
- Plan ahead with the winter maintenance checklist.
Explore the topic
- Door Repairs WellingtonSticking doors, loose hinges or damaged timber? See what to check and arrange a Wellington door repair assessment with Dog and Bird.
- Window Repairs WellingtonGet help with sticking windows and damaged timber frames in Wellington. Learn what to photograph and arrange a repair assessment with Dog and Bird.
- Gutter Cleaning WellingtonArrange gutter cleaning in Wellington with Dog and Bird. Understand access, overflow checks and the details we need for a clear written quote.
- Ceiling Water Damage: What to Do NextSpot ceiling water damage, record the signs and plan the repair in the right order. Get help with leak detection and ceiling repairs in Wellington.
- Wood Rot Repair: Patch or Replace?Understand wood rot repair, when replacement makes sense and why the moisture source matters. Arrange a Wellington timber repair assessment.
- Cracks in Plasterboard: What to CheckRecord cracks in plasterboard, understand repair options and know when wider assessment is needed. Get help with Wellington wall and ceiling repairs.
- Paint Peeling: Causes and the Next StepsUnderstand why paint is peeling and what to check before repainting. Plan sound preparation and get help with painting repairs in Wellington.
- Gutter Overflowing? Find the CauseWork out why a gutter is overflowing, including during heavy rain. Use our ground-level checks and arrange Wellington maintenance help.
- Deck Repair in WellingtonArrange deck repair in Wellington for damaged boards, handrails and steps. Understand repair options, prepare photos and ask Dog and Bird for a written quote.
- Deck Maintenance: A Practical Timber Care GuideKeep a timber deck on your maintenance list with checks for debris, coatings, boards and rails. Plan cleaning and repairs with Dog and Bird.
- Rental Property Maintenance ChecklistOrganise rental repairs with a room-by-room maintenance checklist, clear priorities and useful job records. Get Wellington maintenance help.
- Winter Home Maintenance ChecklistPrepare for Wellington’s wetter months with a practical winter home maintenance checklist. Check drainage, timber and openings, then plan repairs.
Make one clear list for the visit
Group the jobs by location, add photographs and tell us about access. We can help with Wellington property maintenance and put the agreed work into a written quote.
Send us your maintenance list