Mike Holmes, general contractor and host of HGTV's Holmes on Homes, suggests making a monthly checklist to keep your house in order.

Here's his example.

January

Shovel your roof. Don't let the snow accumulate near the edge of your roof, where it will melt then freeze, causing shingle damage and water penetration.

February

Check your heaters. Plug portable space heaters directly into a fully grounded circuit; extension cords are a fire hazard.

March

Update your fuse box. If you plan on upgrading your old electrical fuse panel with a new breaker panel, make sure you hire a licensed electrician.

April

Unplug your drains. Check that all exterior drains are unplugged. Your basement floor drains may need a backflow preventer, available at your building centre.

May

Make the grade. Make sure the earth around your property slopes away from your home; otherwise you could encounter major water problems in your basement.

June

Build a fence. Use only pressure-treated or cedar wood and galvanized nails for your new fence. Postholes should be a minimum of three feet deep, but remember to call your utilities companies before you dig.

July

Get decked out. Decks are structural and need to be built properly. If your deck is attached to the house you will need a permit. Consider hiring a professional.

August

Do a reno. If you're hiring reno help this fall, get a minimum of three quotes, request 20 references, call those references and ask 101 questions. Make a small down payment and then pay your contractor in installments as he or she achieves key milestones.

September

Clean the furnace. Have your furnace cleaned and inspected. If you have a fireplace, have your chimneys cleaned. Also, check the batteries in your smoke detectors.

October

Dodge the draft. Replace any cracked caulking around your exterior doors and windows. Don't caulk over it.

November

Cozy up for winter. Check your attic insulation. A 12-inch layer, evenly distributed, will keep the heat inside your home and you toasty all winter.

December

Check your air. Now that the furnace is on, if you don't already have a carbon monoxide detector, get one. You should install one in your basement and one on the top floor.