We talk often about that we can help you with your “honey-do list” but what does that mean, exactly?
The idea is:
- Honey do this…
- Honey do that…
If you and your spouse/partner own a home together or even simply rent a home together, it is inevitable that chores, maintenance, and household repairs will have to get done. It really isn’t about who does it as much as just that these things have to be done.
Because there are so many different things to do to keep a household running well, many people find it helpful to keep a list of what needs to be done. A “honey-do-list.”
Organizing a honey-do list
Some people like to have a list that goes by tasks that need to be done annually, in each season, or each month for their partner and/or themselves to perform.
Others prefer to keep a list of the most urgent and pressing things first.
Some couples like to have lists written by topic or by the area of the house.
You can have a handwritten list, a spreadsheet, a note on your phone, or use any other platform you prefer that helps you stay organized and on top of all that maintenance and home repair items to be done around the house.
You can find lists of all of the normal home maintenance chores on various sites that homeowners need to stay on top of each season of the year.
Home Maintenance Lists to Get You Started:
- Lowe’s Home Maintenance Checklist for First-Time Homeowners – by season
- Home Depot’s Maintenance and Repair Guides
- Prudent Reviews – the Ultimate Home Maintenance List (free printable)
Of course, some things on your list may be personal and just something you would like to be done at your house that isn’t part of an official list somewhere.
Can’t get your honey-do list done?
What if neither of you have the ability, time, expertise, or desire to work on the lengthy list that continues to pile up? After all, not everyone has hours of extra free time every week or the best handyman skills.
Another option is to find a good handyman to do the work for you so neither of you have to do it!
A local handyman is really all you need for your honey-do list. It may be worth finding a handyman just to avoid the marriage therapy later!
The house will look great. You’ll both keep your free time. And you won’t have the marriage stress of working on difficult projects.
Handyman or Contractor?
For small honey-do list services, you don’t need a general contractor, plumber, electrician, roofer, or carpenter. Yes, those professionals could easily do some of the things on your list, but you would pay a premium to hire them.
If you have a big job that will take more than a week or it is a major renovation or there are serious plumbing, electrical, or carpentry jobs, you may want to hire a general contractor rather than a handyman. They can handle bigger jobs.
If you just have a small series of tasks and assignments around the house, go with a handyman company. They can do great work on exactly this kind of list.
Try to find a honey-do list company that is insured and licensed for your protection. Go with one that has good referrals and a great word-of-mouth reputation. A general handyman service should be perfect for this.
A starter honey-do list
If you are staring at a blank page, here is a list built around the work we actually get called for. Copy it, cut what does not apply, and add your own.
Bathroom & kitchen
- Re-caulk the tub, shower, or sink
- Fix a running toilet or a dripping faucet
- Replace a worn shower head or faucet
- Repair or replace cabinet hinges and drawer slides
- Re-seal grout lines
Painting & finish work
- Touch up scuffed walls and trim
- Repaint a room or an accent wall
- Patch nail holes and small drywall damage
- Re-hang or replace baseboards and trim
Doors, trim & general fix-it
- Fix a sticking or squeaking door
- Replace worn door hardware and locks
- Hang shelves, mirrors, blinds, and TVs
- Repair or rebuild a gate, railing, or step
Safety & mobility
- Install grab bars in the bathroom
- Add or improve exterior lighting
- Check and replace smoke detector batteries
- Fix uneven steps and loose handrails
Most of these are small on their own. Bundled into one visit, they are exactly the kind of job a handyman is for.
Get a free estimate and we will work through the whole list in one go.
Honey-do list questions, answered
What is a normal honey-do list?
Most honey-do lists are a mix of small repairs, maintenance and improvements that have piled up over a few months — a running toilet, a sticking door, some touch-up paint, a shelf that needs hanging. There is no right length. If it fits on one page, it is normal.
How long is too long for a honey-do list?
The list itself is not the problem; how long items sit on it is. A repair left alone for a year is usually a bigger job than it would have been at the start, because small problems like leaks and loose trim tend to cause secondary damage. If items have been on your list for more than a season, that is the point to bundle them and get help.
When should I hire a handyman instead of doing it myself?
Do it yourself when the task is low risk and you already own the tools. Call a handyman when the job involves water, electricity, heights or finish work you would notice getting wrong every day — or simply when the list has grown faster than your free weekends.
Does Punch List Pros work on honey-do lists in Columbia, SC?
Yes. Working through a list of small jobs in a single visit is the core of what we do, across Columbia and the surrounding Midlands. Contact us for a free estimate.
