When you buy a home, the inspection report can feel overwhelming—pages upon pages of potential issues and recommended fixes. However, this detailed document can become a powerful tool for planning your home improvements.
This hack comes from one of my “How I Bought My First Home” interviewees, who got the advice from their realtor. If you take the PDF of your home inspection and write down all of the individual problems listed, then rank them from most to least pressing, you’ve got a list of your super-fun home improvement priorities for the next five years. Here’s how to go about transforming that intimidating PDF into an organized, actionable project plan.
First, go through your inspection report line by line and create a master list of every identified issue. Include:
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The specific problem
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The location in your home
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Any notes about severity or urgency
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Estimated repair costs (if provided)
From there, create a spreadsheet with separate columns for each of these details to make sorting easier later.
Step 2: Categorize by priority
Now that you have your spreadsheet, sort all issues into these four categories:
Critical (Address within 1-3 months)
Important (Address within 1 year)
Moderate (Address within 2-3 years)
Low priority (Address within 3-5 years)
Step 3: Create your project timeline
Now that you’ve ranked your projects by urgency, you can map out the individual projects in each category:
Estimate costs. Research average prices for each repair, adding a 20% buffer for unexpected issues. Note which projects require professional help.
Consider seasonality. For instance, schedule exterior work during dry months, plan indoor projects for winter, and time HVAC maintenance before peak seasons.
Group-related projects. Combine projects that use similar materials, or tackle one room or area at a time. It’s also key to consider which projects might affect others, so you don’t create a major headache for yourself.
Step 4: Build your DIY vs. contractor list
Evaluate each project based on:
Create two separate lists for “DIY Projects” versus “Professional Help Required.” If you’re new to DIY home renovations, consider starting with smaller projects. There are tons of tutorials online, or you can even look into classes at local hardware stores.
Step 5: Create your documentation system
I’m an absolute sucker for tracking things in a spreadsheet. Keep a clear head—and give yourself pats on the back—with a project tracking system that includes:
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Project description
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Priority level
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Target completion date
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Budget
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Required materials
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Progress notes
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Before/after photos
Final tips for success
The key to sticking to something like home renovations is to stay flexible. You’ll need to reassess priorities and update budget estimates as needed. While you’re tracking your progress, don’t forget to keep receipts for tax purposes.
Remember, your inspection report is a snapshot in time. Regular home maintenance checks can help you catch new issues before they become major problems. Maintain an emergency fund and be prepared to adjust your timeline for emergency repairs. And of course, some renovations are more worth it than others (looking at you, kitchen backsplash). Use this system as a living document that evolves with your home’s needs and your growing DIY expertise.
