Your First Year After Handover: Landed Home Maintenance Checklist

Congratulations — you've moved into your newly rebuilt landed home! But the work isn't quite over. The first year is critical for identifying defects, establishing maintenance routines, and protecting your investment. Here's a month-by-month guide to keeping your new home in top condition.

Month 1–3: The Settling-In Period

New buildings settle and adjust. During the first three months, expect minor hairline cracks in plaster and paint (this is normal as concrete cures and the building settles), slight movement in door and window frames (adjustable), and minor plumbing adjustments (tap drips, toilet cistern tuning). Document everything with photos and dates. Report structural cracks (wider than 1mm) or water ingress immediately — these are not normal settling issues. Test all M&E systems thoroughly: every power point, every tap, every air-con unit.

Month 3–6: First Inspection

Conduct a thorough walk-through at the 3-month mark. Check all tiled surfaces for hollow tiles (tap with a coin — hollow tiles sound different from well-bonded tiles), inspect silicone joints in bathrooms and kitchens for any gaps or peeling, test all windows and doors for smooth operation and proper sealing, check for any water stains on ceilings or walls (may indicate waterproofing issues above), and inspect the roof for any visible damage or displaced elements. Submit a comprehensive defect list to your builder in writing.

Month 6–12: Monsoon Test

Singapore's monsoon season (November to January) is the ultimate waterproofing test. After heavy rain, check for water ingress around windows and doors, damp patches on walls or ceilings, ponding on flat roofs or terraces, drainage blockages in car porch and perimeter drains, and landscape drainage performance. Any waterproofing failures that appear during monsoon season should be reported to your builder immediately under the Defects Liability Period.

Ongoing Maintenance Tasks

Regular maintenance keeps your home looking and performing its best.

Monthly tasks include

• Cleaning air-con filters,

• Checking for pest activity, and

• Clearing drain traps.

Quarterly tasks include

• Servicing air-con units (professional chemical wash recommended every 3–6 months),

• Checking silicone seals in wet areas, and

• Cleaning external drains.

Annual tasks include

• Inspecting the roof,

• Servicing the auto gate motor,

• Checking water tank and booster pump, and

• Repainting touch-ups where needed.

Working with Your Builder After Handover

At Hitomo Construction, we don't disappear after handing over the keys.

Our team remains your point of contact throughout the Defects Liability Period. We respond promptly to defect reports, schedule rectification works at times convenient for you, and conduct a formal joint inspection before the DLP expires.

Our goal is to ensure you are completely satisfied with your new home — not just at handover, but for years to come.

Just Moved Into Your New Home?

The first year after completing your rebuild is critical for identifying and addressing any settling or defects. Hitomo Construction provides comprehensive after-handover support and guides you through essential first-year maintenance to keep your new home in top condition.

Reach out to us for a no-obligation discussion. Contact Hitomo Construction today at +65 8955 9839 or visit hitomoconstruction.com to get started.