The First-Year Home Care Checklist: Caring for Your New Construction Home

Congratulations — you’ve got the keys to your new home! So, what comes next?
Your first year as a homeowner is the perfect time to build smart routines and get to know your home. A little planning now can help you avoid costly repairs and unexpected stress down the road.

A first-year home care checklist gives you a simple way to keep up with your new home without feeling like you're always forgetting something. Even a brand-new home needs regular maintenance, and a clear routine makes caring for your home much easier. Here’s what we recommend focusing on as you settle in.

Gather the Tools and Information Every New Homeowner Needs

Keep these basic home maintenance essentials handy:

• Hammer
• Needle-nose pliers
• Screwdrivers
• Allen wrenches
• Level
• Appliance manuals and model numbers
• Warranty information
• Home maintenance schedule

Register appliances when required, and keep the manuals, model numbers, and warranty information somewhere easy to find.

Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance instructions, keep appliance vents and filters clear, and periodically check water-supply lines and drain hoses for leaks or damage.

Repairs involving gas, electrical components, or other specialized systems should always be handled by a qualified professional.

You should also know where your main water shutoff and water-heater shutoff are located before you need them. Knowing how to stop the water is especially helpful if you discover a leak.

Build a Simple Monthly Home Maintenance Routine

A first-year home maintenance checklist is easier to follow when a few recurring tasks are already on your calendar.

Add these tasks to your monthly home care routine:

• Inspect your HVAC air filter and outdoor unit
• Test and reset GFCI breakers
• Check visible plumbing connections for leaks
• Clean windows and screens as needed

Check your HVAC filter monthly and replace it according to the filter or equipment manufacturer’s recommendations. You may need to replace it more often if you have pets or allergies. Construction dust and other airborne particles can also affect how often you need to change a filter.

Keep HVAC supply registers and return-air grilles open, and watch for water around the indoor unit.

To help new owners stay on task, McCaffrey homeowners receive monthly home maintenance tasks and reminders to help them stay on schedule.

“As first-time homeowners, we learned the importance of staying consistent with your maintenance schedule so small issues can be handled before they become costly repairs.”
– The Reyes Family, McCaffrey homeowners

Add Seasonal Maintenance for Your Home’s Systems and Exterior

Seasonal home maintenance covers the tasks that don’t need attention every month. Use this quick schedule as a starting point for the maintenance that comes up throughout the year.

Keep irrigation directed away from the house and foundation. Maintain drainage so water flows away from the home and avoid changing grading or drainage paths without understanding how water is intended to move across the property.

Seasonal checks are also a good time to look for standing water, damaged sprinkler heads, clogged drains, or other signs that water is not moving where it should.

Follow a Seasonal Home Care Checklist

Some maintenance tasks are easier to remember when they’re organized by season. Our seasonal home care chart breaks down interior and exterior tasks for winter, spring, summer, and fall so you can see what needs attention throughout the year.

Use the chart as a guide throughout the year and follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule for your specific equipment.

Know What Normal Settling Can Look Like in a New Construction Home

Some changes during the first year in a new construction home are part of normal settling. Minor hairline cracks, shrinkage, and seasonal movement can appear as materials adjust.

Significant cracking, water intrusion, or a home system that stops working should be looked at by a professional and may warrant a service request.

The most common call we receive in the first year is about normal settlement. Settlement cracks commonly appear in concrete slabs, plaster, and drywall as a building naturally adjusts over time. Cracks less than 1/8-inch wide in stucco, for example, are typically cosmetic and do not affect the building's structural integrity.”
- Brandon Smith, McCaffrey Homes Procurement Manager

If you’re unsure whether it may be a warranty issue, you can review your warranty documents and submit a service request through the Homeowner Portal so our team can help determine the next step

Understand Routine Home Maintenance vs. Warranty Coverage

Routine home maintenance is the homeowner’s responsibility, and keeping up with it can help protect your warranty coverage. McCaffrey’s warranty generally applies to qualifying construction, material, or installation defects.

Neglect, ordinary wear and tear, or failure to maintain the home is not covered.

That means tasks such as changing air filters, cleaning gutters, testing smoke detectors, and servicing appliances still belong on your home maintenance schedule so you don’t void your warranty coverage.

McCaffrey Homes’ warranty highlights include:

• Year 1: Materials and workmanship, including windows and doors, drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets, countertops, roofing and flashing, siding, exterior finishes, garage doors, and qualifying water-infiltration concerns. Landscaping and irrigation are covered for up to 90 days.
• Years 2–3: The workability of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, water-supply piping, roofing, water infiltration, and other mechanical systems.
• Years 1–10:Structural integrity, including the foundation, roof and framing, load-bearing walls and beams, floor and roof trusses, and girders

Normal wear and tear, damage from misuse or unapproved changes, and things like storm or fire damage usually aren’t covered by the builder warranty. Depending on what caused the problem, those costs may be the homeowner’s responsibility or may fall under your homeowner’s insurance.

Always refer to the warranty documents provided with your home for the complete terms and exclusions.

McCaffrey’s Homeowner Center lets you submit warranty requests, track their status, and access warranty information. If a concern seems like more than routine homeowner maintenance, our team can help you determine what to do next.

Give Yourself Time Before Buying Extra Tools or Changing Home Systems

Living in your home for a little while helps you see which products and tools you actually need. Your New Home Orientation Tour also introduces the operating procedures for key home components and reviews our warranty service process.

During your first few months:

• Use the tools and smart-home features already included with your home
• Keep track of maintenance tasks you completed
• Review warranty coverage before arranging repairs
• Contact the appliance manufacturer when applicable

Before adding smart devices to your list of things to buy for your first home, check what’s already included. McCaffrey Built Smart homes include a video doorbell, smart garage control, smart thermostat, and Wi-Fi access point.

Keep Your First Year of Homeownership Simple

Owning your first home gets easier as you learn how its systems work and settle into a maintenance routine. Keep your maintenance reminders turned on, save your warranty information somewhere accessible, and reach out to the McCaffrey team with any questions.

“That first year of homeownership can feel overwhelming, but over time we became more confident in maintaining our home.”
– The Reyes Family, McCaffrey homeowners

If you need help deciding whether a home concern is routine upkeep or a possible warranty item, visit our Homeowner Center. We’re always glad to help you care for your McCaffrey home!

First-Year Home Care FAQs

What do I need in my first house?

Start with basic hand tools, appliance information, warranty documents, and your home maintenance schedule. McCaffrey homeowners also receive periodic maintenance reminders to ensure recurring maintenance tasks are organized and not forgotten.

What should I buy before versus after move-in?What should I buy before versus after move-in?

Buy basic tools and household supplies you know you will use prior to move-in, such as a hammer, needle-nose pliers, screwdrivers, a level, Allen wrenches, and a few small utility items. Wait on specialized repair tools or equipment until you know what your McCaffrey home already includes or needs.

What home problems are genuinely urgent during the first year?

McCaffrey considers a total loss of electricity, water, heating, or air conditioning an emergency. A plumbing leak that requires shutting off the home’s water, a gas leak, or a fire-sprinkler issue also needs immediate attention. For emergency contacts and instructions, visit our Homeowner Center.

How much should I keep in reserve for surprise home repairs?

Plan for normal home maintenance costs and routine professional services, and check your warranty before paying for a repair that could involve a qualifying covered defect