Your first year as a homeowner involves more contractor calls than most people anticipate. Even with a recently-passed home inspection, the first 12 months typically produce 5-10 service calls across multiple trades. This pattern is universal enough that new homeowners benefit from knowing what to expect — both to budget for it and to have trusted contractors identified before the emergencies arrive.
This guide is part of the Know Before You Hire series. At Home Services Co, our 40-service model is built for exactly this — new homeowners who need many different services and don't want to develop separate relationships with a dozen different contractors.
Pro 1: HVAC technician. First-year HVAC call probability: very high. Home inspection may have missed developing issues. Previous owner may not have maintained. First heat wave or cold snap often reveals problems. Schedule preventive tune-up in first 60 days. $150-$250. See HVAC contractor.
Pro 2: plumber. First-year plumbing call probability: high. Leaky fixtures, slow drains, water heater quirks. First-year discovery of these is common. Keep a plumber on speed dial. Plumbing emergencies (burst pipe, sewage backup) also warrant pre-identified contractor rather than emergency search. See plumber hiring.
Pro 3: electrician. First-year electrical call probability: moderate. Outlets that don't work, breakers that trip unexpectedly, desired outlet additions, fixture replacements. Most are modest but benefit from licensed technician. See hiring an electrician.
Pro 4: handyman. First-year handyman call probability: high. Small repairs accumulate. Furniture assembly. Shelving. Cabinet hardware. Drywall patches. Paint touch-ups. Handyman is the generalist for items below licensed-trade threshold. See hiring a handyman.
Pro 5: cleaner. First-year move-in cleaning and ongoing cleaning. Professional deep clean after move-in is valuable ($300-$600). Regular cleaning service as budget allows. See house cleaner.
Pro 6: landscaper or lawn care. Exterior maintenance. Landscape condition may have been fine at purchase but needs ongoing attention. Spring cleanup after purchase. Lawn care service for ongoing work. Fall cleanup before winter. See landscaper and lawn care.
Pro 7: pest control. First-year pest issues common. Previous owner may have had issues unresolved at sale. New tenants (you) may attract new pests. Preventive quarterly program or on-demand treatment as issues arise. See pest control.
First-year budget expectation. Cumulative service calls over first 12 months: $2,000-$5,000 typical for average home. Higher for older homes, bigger homes, or homes with significant deferred maintenance. Budget for this rather than being surprised.
The emergency fund. Separate from maintenance budget: emergency fund for unexpected issues. $5,000-$10,000 minimum. HVAC replacement before expected, major plumbing issue, roof problem — each can be $3,000-$15,000 individually. Emergency fund exists for these unexpected demands.
The punch list from inspection. Home inspection identified items that weren't dealbreakers but need attention. Address these in first year. Some DIY, some professional. Keep punch list active and work through it.
The discovery period. First year reveals how the house actually works. HVAC settings that work best. Appliance quirks. Timer settings for lights. Sprinkler system schedule. Utility patterns. Each discovery informs household operation.
Building the contractor relationships. First year is when you identify trusted contractors. After each service call, evaluate: would I use them again? Good experiences become ongoing relationships. Mediocre experiences: find different contractor next time. By end of year one, you have a vetted list.
The one-vendor alternative. Rather than developing relationships with seven different contractors, some homeowners use one multi-service company. See one vendor. At Home Services Co, 40 services under one account eliminate the need to vet seven contractors in year one.
The home improvement temptation. First year is when you see everything you'd change. Resist major renovation in first year if possible. Live in the house for a year before significant changes. You learn the house; your priorities shift. Many first-year renovation ideas look less important at year 2.
The systems you learn. HVAC: filter schedule, cycle patterns, thermostat programming. Water heater: temperature setting, anode check, drain schedule. Electrical: breaker locations, GFCI locations, regular tests. Plumbing: shutoff valve locations, water heater valve, hose bibs. Each system becomes familiar.
The documentation you build. Service history starts year 1. What was done, when, by whom. Receipts. Warranties. Inspection reports. This documentation serves year 2 and beyond.
The warranty claim window. New construction or recently-renovated homes have warranty periods. Track these. Any issues in warranty period, file with builder or contractor. Warranty expires typically at 1 year for general; longer for specific items.
The insurance review. First-year good time to review homeowners insurance. Coverage matches home's condition? Sufficient dwelling coverage? Sewer backup rider? Flood insurance if needed? Replacement cost vs actual cash value? Each is worth reviewing.
The seasonal calendar. Year 1 teaches you the home's seasonal rhythm. When summer gets too warm. When winter gets too cold. When rain comes. When leaves fall. This rhythm drives year 2+ maintenance scheduling.
The summary. First year as homeowner: HVAC, plumber, electrician, handyman, cleaner, landscaper, pest control. Budget $2,000-$5,000 for services. Emergency fund for unexpected. Build trusted contractor relationships. Consider one-vendor alternative. Learn systems, build documentation, review insurance. Resist major renovation temptations in first year.
At Home Services Co, we handle all 7 common first-year service needs through one relationship. Related: one vendor, new homeowner hiring, home service team, maintenance schedule, pricing, book, or the full series.