New Year’s Resolutions for Your House in 2026

By Chad Charles

Every January, we talk about New Year’s resolutions for ourselves. It’s always eat

better, work smarter, slow down a little. But as a home contractor serving the Upstate,

I’d argue your house deserves a few resolutions too.

Our homes work hard in this region. Hot, humid summers, sudden cold snaps, heavy

rain, red clay soil, and pollen seasons that seem to last forever. That all takes a toll. If

2026 is the year you want fewer surprises, lower stress, and smarter spending, here are

five practical, realistic resolutions to make for your home and stick with.

1. Run a Full-Home “Repair Audit” and Prioritize Fixes

Think of this as an annual physical for your house. Too many homeowners only address

problems once something breaks, and by then, the damage is often worse and more

expensive.

Start by walking your property inside and out. Look for:

 Cracks in foundations or masonry (common in our clay-heavy soils)

 Soft spots in decking or subfloors

 Aging roofs, flashing, or siding

 Moisture issues in crawl spaces or basements

 Outdated electrical or plumbing components

The key isn’t fixing everything at once. It’s about prioritizing. Safety issues and water-

related problems should always come first. A small leak or drainage issue in the Upstate

can turn into mold or structural damage quickly thanks to our humidity.

If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, a professional contractor can help identify what’s

urgent versus what can wait.

2. Create a Realistic Home Maintenance Schedule

One of the best resolutions you can make is committing to routine maintenance. Most

major repairs we see could have been avoided with regular checkups.

A solid maintenance schedule might include:

 Seasonal HVAC servicing (critical with our long cooling seasons)

 Gutter cleaning in the Spring and Fall.

Annual roof and crawl space inspections

Re-sealing wood surfaces such as decks and trim.

Checking caulk, weatherstripping, and drainage.

Put reminders on your calendar or keep a simple checklist. When maintenance

becomes routine, it stops feeling overwhelming—and your home lasts longer with fewer

emergency calls.

3. Finish One “High-Impact” Remodel -- Start to Finish

Many homeowners have a list of half-started projects: a kitchen missing final trim, a

bathroom waiting on fixtures, a garage conversion stalled mid-way. In 2026, commit to

finishing one high-impact remodel completely.

In the Upstate, kitchens, primary bathrooms, screened porches, and energy-efficient

window upgrades consistently deliver strong returns. The important part is planning the

project fully before starting. That means knowing budget, timeline, materials, and

permits included.

A well-executed remodel beats three unfinished ones every time.

4. Improve Energy Efficiency with Measurable Targets

Energy costs aren’t getting cheaper, and Upstate summers put serious strain on cooling

systems. Instead of vague goals like “lower the power bill,” set measurable targets.

Examples include:

 Reducing monthly energy use by 10–15%

 Improving insulation in attics or crawl spaces

 Sealing air leaks around windows and doors

 Upgrading to high-efficiency HVAC or heat pump systems

 Installing smart thermostats

Ask your utility providers about energy audits or rebates, and track your progress month

to month. Small efficiency improvements add up, especially during long stretches of

heat and humidity.

5. Build a Smarter Home Budget and Information System

This may be the least exciting resolution, but it’s one of the most valuable.

Create a simple system (digital or physical) that includes:

 Contractor contacts and warranties

 Paint colors, flooring types, and material specs

 Appliance models and install dates

 Maintenance records and receipts

 A rolling home repair budget

When something breaks, or when you’re ready to remodel, you’ll save time, money, and

stress by having everything in one place. From a contractor’s perspective, homeowners

who keep good records always get better, faster results.

Your home needs attention, planning, and follow-through. These resolutions aren’t

about doing everything at once; they’re about being intentional with the biggest

investment most of us will ever make.

If you’re in Greenwood or anywhere in the Upstate and want help tackling one (or all ) of

these goals, that’s what we do at Charles & Associates. Here’s to a smarter, stronger,

and more comfortable home in 2026.