You’ve Moved into Your Newly Built Mountain Home. Now What?

Photos by Audrey Hall

If you drove your car and never changed the oil, you probably wouldn’t be too surprised if it breaks down one day. The same concept applies to your brand-new luxury mountain home—you’re better off taking the preventative measures than waiting for a breakdown. Whether it’s done by you (the owner) or a property caretaker, the attention put into your home after it’s built is important to maintain it—and enjoy it—for years to come.

Here is a detailed maintenance calendar and checklist to help guide the home after-care process.

But first, an integral concept to bear in mind: The owner/builder/design team relationship sets the tone for everything.

From the very start of the project, the quality of the owner/builder/design team relationship is going to set the trajectory of how well the home is maintained—not to mention how well the mountain retreat is truly enjoyed. Home after-care really starts with good design and execution by the builder team. High-end mountain homes are usually large projects, and it’s not uncommon that you’re spending only part of the year there. A good builder and design team will ensure you have all of your operations and maintenance details in place—a hefty but vital undertaking. This may consist of a post-construction orientation, providing a walk-through of all the building systems to give you or your property management firm a full understanding of your home’s features. Your team should also continue communication throughout your time as owners, encouraging you to create your own punch list with items that need attention.

Your Mountain-Home Maintenance Checklist:

WINTER:

• Change HRV and fan coil filters
• Check heat pump refrigerant level
• Shovel snow

SPRING:

• Change HRV and fan coil filters
• Building/property inspection
  • Clean gutters
  • Sweep woodstove chimney
• Plumbing inspection
• Shovel snow
• Landscape preparation
• Irrigation setup
• Roof inspection
• Landscape maintenance
  • Mow lawn
  • Fertilize trees

SUMMER:

• Change HRV and fan coil filters
• Check heat pump refrigerant level
• Duct heater check
• HVAC exterior intakes
• Landscape maintenance
  • Irrigate lawn, trees, and shrubs
  • Mow lawn

FALL:

• Change HRV and fan coil filters
• Building/property inspection
  • Clean gutters
• Shovel snow
• Fall landscape cleanup
• Fall landscape maintenance
  • Mow lawn
  • Irrigate lawn, trees, and shrubs
  • Prune and fertilize
• Blow out irrigation systems
• Shovel snow
• Open freeze valve on the water line in laundry closet
• Fire suppression check
• Fire alarm check
• Fire extinguishers check

Jesse Stover is the General Superintendent of OSM Construction, a full-service professional general contractor in Montana and Wyoming that specializes in the construction and project management of residential, ranch, and recreation properties of the highest quality in the American West.

Content for this article is provided by OSM Construction.