The Auckland spring home maintenance checklist
Spring in Auckland is when you undo winter. Wash the exterior, clear the gutters, service the heat pump, check the roof and deal with anything that got damp. Do it in that order, and do it before November, because the good trades book out ahead of summer and prices step up as demand does.
The short version*
Exterior house wash — Early spring, first — From $350 (small), $650 (medium), $950 (large), plus GST
Gutters and downpipes — Straight after the wash — Quoted on site
Heat pump service — Before summer load — $210 plus GST
Roof check — Spring, after storms — Quoted on site
Deck and outdoor timber — Before summer use — Quoted on site
Moisture and ventilation check — Now, while evidence is fresh — Quoted on site
A care plan catches those while they are still small jobs.
Do it in this order, and here is why
1. Wash the exterior first*
Everything else is easier to see on a clean house. Winter leaves grime, mould and lichen on cladding, and it is not just cosmetic: organic growth holds moisture against your cladding and shortens its life.
Our exterior wash covers the house exterior, decks, driveways and paths as one job. From $350 plus GST for a small property, $650 for medium, $950 for large.
Do this before you inspect anything else. You will find things you would otherwise have missed.
2. Gutters and downpipes
Auckland gets a lot of leaf drop and a lot of rain. A blocked gutter overflows back against the fascia and into the wall cavity, and that is one of the more expensive repairs a house can generate from one of the cheapest jobs it needs.
Clear them, check the downpipes actually discharge away from the foundation, and look for rust or sagging while you are up there.
Worth knowing if you rent the property out: clear gutters and downpipes that discharge away from the foundation are part of the moisture ingress and drainage requirement under the Healthy Homes Standards.
3. Service the heat pump before you need it*
Heat pumps get serviced in autumn when they stop heating properly and in January when they stop cooling properly. Both are the worst time to call, because everyone else is calling too.
Spring is the sensible window. Annual service is $210 plus GST and covers a full deep clean, inspection and test. If it is already faulty, fault diagnosis is $240 plus GST and includes the first hour of repair.
A dirty heat pump costs money quietly. It runs longer to reach the same temperature.
4. Roof check
After a winter of Auckland weather. Look for lifted or cracked tiles, loose flashings, rust on steel roofing, and anything that has moved. From the ground with binoculars is a start; on the roof is better and safer done by someone who does it regularly.
5. Decks and outdoor timber
Once the deck is washed you can actually see its condition. Check for loose or lifted boards, movement in the balustrade, and rot where timber meets the ground or holds water. Then oil or stain it, in spring, so it is ready for the summer it exists for.
6. Moisture and ventilation
Do this now, while winter's evidence is still visible. Condensation marks on windows, mould in wardrobes and behind furniture, and any staining on ceilings or in the tops of corners. In spring it dries out and disappears, and you forget about it until next May.
One thing worth knowing about timing this year
Trade input costs have been rising through the middle of the year and there is a further step expected into September. We are not going to quote you a percentage, because the figures being reported are suppliers' own notifications and we would rather not put a number on something we cannot verify.
The practical point stands: if you have deferred maintenance sitting on a list, getting it quoted and booked now is better than getting it quoted in November. That is true every year for capacity reasons. It is a bit more true this year.
If you would rather not manage the list
We do a free property review. Someone comes out, walks the property, and gives you a written plan sorted into four phases:
- Phase 1, high priority. Needs doing within 7 days.
- Phase 2, medium priority. Within 30 days.
- Phase 3, planned maintenance. Next 3 to 6 months.
- Phase 4, future improvements. Longer term, when you are ready.
Every recommendation is priced individually and you choose what proceeds. There is no monthly fee and no plan to sign up to. The review itself costs nothing.
FAQ
When should I do spring maintenance in Auckland?
September and October. Early enough that trades still have capacity before the pre-Christmas rush, and late enough that winter has finished doing its damage so you can see what needs attention.
How much does a house wash cost in Auckland?*
Porter's exterior wash starts from $350 plus GST for a small property, $650 for medium and $950 for large, covering the house exterior, decks, driveways and paths. The final price depends on size, access, and condition, so we confirm it after a site assessment.
How often should a heat pump be serviced?*
Annually. An annual service is $210 plus GST and includes a full deep clean, inspection and test. Servicing before the summer load, rather than during it, means you won't be waiting in a queue when it matters.
What is the first job to do in spring?
Wash the exterior. Everything else is easier to assess on a clean house, and you will find things you would otherwise miss.
Do I have to sign up to a plan?
No. There is no monthly plan and no minimum term. The property review is free, each recommendation is priced separately, and you decide what goes ahead.
Get it sorted. Book a free property review.
or call 0800 707 837.
You will get a person, not a menu.
*Prices are current as of 6 August 2026. They are starting prices and are subject to a site assessment. Prices are shown plus GST, which is the trade convention.
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