7 Smart Home Maintenance Apps That Save Time and Money

Owning a home can be expensive, with Americans spending an average of $4,125 annually on maintenance and repairs. Smart home maintenance apps can help you save time and money by:

• Scheduling maintenance tasks to prevent costly emergencies.
• Tracking energy use to lower utility bills.
• Providing DIY guides to avoid unnecessary service calls.

Here are 7 apps that make homeownership easier:

1. Brickwise: AI-powered schedules, inventory tracking, and maintenance reminders.
2. HomeZada: Financial tracking, maintenance checklists, and calendar sync.
3. Tody: Cleaning schedules with gamification to keep tasks manageable.
4. BrightNest: Personalized maintenance tips, task reminders, and DIY guides.
5. PadTrac: Details under review (visit their website for updates).
6. iHandy: DIY toolkit with measurement tools and repair guides.
7. HomeManager: Monthly reminders, DIY videos, and safety-focused maintenance tips.

Quick Comparison

App	Best For	Free Options	Paid Plans	Key Features
Brickwise	Proactive maintenance tracking	No	$10/month or $100/year	AI schedules, inventory, digital storage
HomeZada	Maintenance + financial tracking	Yes	$15.95/month or $99–$189/year	Expense tracking, calendar sync
Tody	Cleaning routines	Yes	$30/year	Gamification, family sharing
BrightNest	Personalized maintenance tips	Yes	Free	Task reminders, DIY guides, home organization
PadTrac	TBD	TBD	TBD	Details unavailable
iHandy	DIY tools + repair guides	No	$1.99 one-time	Measurement tools, repair resources
HomeManager	Maintenance + safety reminders	Yes	$8/month or $80/year	DIY videos, safety alerts, printable checklists

Using these apps can help you stay on top of home maintenance, avoid emergencies, and save on repairs. Start with a free trial or basic plan to see which one fits your needs.

UpKept: The Home Maintenance App By Consumer Reports

1. Brickwise

Brickwise helps you stay on top of home maintenance by creating custom schedules based on your inspection report. This proactive approach helps you avoid expensive repairs down the road.

With its AI-powered assistant, you can get instant answers to maintenance and repair questions - whether it’s scheduling HVAC service or figuring out how to fix a leaky faucet.

The app also features a digital inventory tracker that uses AI to:

• Catalog appliances and systems from your uploaded photos
• Keep track of maintenance history and upcoming service needs
• Securely store important home documents in a digital profile
• Send reminders for preventive maintenance tasks

These tools not only help you save money but also reduce the likelihood of unexpected emergencies.

"Simplify Homeownership with AI-Powered Maintenance" - Brickwise

Feature	Benefit	Cost-Saving Impact
AI Maintenance Schedule	Keeps up with timely upkeep to avoid issues	Cuts down on emergency repair costs
Digital Document Storage	Organizes warranties, manuals, and receipts	Makes warranty claims easier
Smart Inventory Management	Tracks appliance age and maintenance history	Helps plan replacements efficiently
AI Assistant	Offers quick maintenance guidance	Lowers unnecessary service calls

2. HomeZada

HomeZada combines maintenance scheduling with financial tracking, making it a handy tool for homeowners looking to keep their property in good shape and avoid expensive repairs.

The platform uses smart property templates to create over 50 customized maintenance checklists. These checklists cover common rooms and items in your home, helping you stay on top of regular upkeep, avoid costly issues, and even cut down on energy bills.

HomeZada offers three subscription plans to suit different needs:

Plan	Cost	Key Features
Essential	Free	Basic maintenance scheduling and calendar sync
Premium	$15.95/month or $99/year	Complete maintenance and financial tracking
Deluxe	$189/year	Advanced tools and project management

These plans range from basic maintenance tracking to more advanced home management features.

The platform also tracks a variety of expenses, such as mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, utilities, repair costs, and remodeling budgets.

HomeZada works seamlessly with popular calendar services, thanks to its iCal format compatibility. Whether you use Gmail, Outlook, or Hotmail, you can sync your calendar and get reminders for maintenance tasks.

"I never remember the little things, so the maintenance calendar and alerts are smart by reminding me to keep things running smoothly and lasting longer in the house." – Keith from Florida

Additional features include a bookmarking tool for saving home improvement product research and a news feed with timely maintenance reminders. You can also upload photos, documents, and receipts to keep a detailed digital record of your home.

3. Tody

Tody stands out as an app designed to simplify cleaning routines, with over 1 million users and consistently high ratings across platforms.

This app creates cleaning schedules tailored to your preferences and living space. By breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps, it helps you stay on top of household chores without feeling overwhelmed.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what the free and premium versions offer:

Feature	Free Version	Premium Version ($30/year)
Automated Cleaning Plan	✓	✓
Gamification Features	✓	✓
Single User Support	✓	✓
Data Syncing	–	✓
Multiple Home Management	–	✓
Family Member Sharing	–	✓

Tody also uses gamification to make cleaning more engaging. For example, it features "Dusty", a playful character that represents dirt and grime, encouraging users - especially families - to work together to "defeat" it. This approach has been a hit for families striving to keep up with cleaning routines.

The app’s flexibility is another strength. Whether you’re managing a small apartment or a large family home, Tody adapts to your needs. Victoria Song from The Verge shared how the app’s structured system helped her transform her living space and improve her mental well-being in just two months.

Tody also includes handy tools like focus timers and task assignment, which are particularly helpful for families or individuals who struggle with executive function. While the free version provides essential features like automated cleaning plans and gamification for single users, upgrading to the premium version unlocks extras like family sharing and multi-home management - perfect for larger households.

"I never remember the little things, so the maintenance calendar and alerts are smart by reminding me to keep things running smoothly and lasting longer in the house." – Keith from Florida

sbb-itb-17bacab

4. BrightNest

BrightNest makes home maintenance simpler by combining scheduling tools with personalized advice. It starts by asking specific questions about your home to create tailored maintenance plans and recommendations.

One of its standout features is the Homefolio - a digital storage space for essential home details like paint colors and appliance manuals. This eliminates the hassle of digging through paper files or inboxes for important information.

BrightNest focuses on three core features:

Feature	What It Does	Why It Helps
Customized Tips	Suggests maintenance tasks based on your home’s needs	Reduces unnecessary repairs and prolongs equipment lifespan
Task Scheduling	Includes a calendar with email reminders	Keeps routine tasks from being forgotten
Step-by-Step Guides	Offers clear instructions and tool lists for DIY projects	Makes it easier to handle simple tasks without hiring professionals

The app’s preventive advice can make a big difference. For instance, in February 2013, a user followed BrightNest’s suggestion to buy a fire extinguisher. Just days later, it became crucial during a basement fire caused by faulty fluorescent lights.

For seasonal tasks like A/C maintenance or filter replacements, BrightNest breaks them into easy-to-follow steps with detailed instructions and tool recommendations.

Beyond maintenance, it also offers practical tips on home organization, cleaning, and decorating through short, focused articles tailored to your needs. You can save these articles for later or get them as email reminders, which is especially helpful for first-time homeowners learning the ropes.

The app’s scheduling system is designed to work with your routine. It sends automatic reminders when tasks are due, so you can stay on top of your home maintenance without having to track every single date yourself.

5. PadTrac

Details about PadTrac's features are currently being reviewed. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please visit the official website or reach out to their support team. This section will be updated as soon as verified details are available.

6. iHandy

iHandy combines a handy DIY toolkit with a wealth of repair resources. For just $1.99, you get access to five measurement tools: a digital plumb bob, surface level, steel protractor, steel ruler, and bubble level bar. These tools are perfect for ensuring accuracy in tasks like hanging pictures or aligning woodwork.

Additionally, iHandy integrates with iFixIt, giving users access to over 200,000 free repair guides, solutions, and forums. This combination makes it easier for homeowners to tackle precise measurements and repairs on their own, often skipping the need to hire a professional.

7. Home Maintenance

HomeManager simplifies tracking home repairs and maintenance with an easy-to-use interface. The free version includes features like monthly reminders, property details, and a room-by-room inventory. For those wanting more, the HomeManager Plus subscription ($8/month or $80/year) offers extras like step-by-step maintenance guides, a DIY video library, printable checklists, document storage, and a history of completed tasks.

What sets HomeManager apart is its focus on safety and proactive maintenance. Its smart reminder system sends alerts every month to help prevent issues such as:

• Fire hazards
• Slip and fall risks
• Electrical shocks
• Poor water and air quality
• Mold problems
• Insect infestations

Users often praise its practicality. Philip from Billings, MT shares:

"What I love about HomeManager is the monthly reminders they send you with DIY video instructions, step-by-step instructions that someone like me who's in tech and not so much of a handyman can easily follow. HomeManager has been Godsend! Thank you Home Manager!"

For another option, HomeKeep™ offers a 30-day free trial, followed by a $1.99 monthly subscription. It provides self-guided maintenance plans and simple record-keeping. R.R., a satisfied user, says:

"I am so excited about this service!!! … It takes a lot of stress off of me (as a homeowner) not having to set reminders for all the different items that require attention. This is a dream! … Can't recommend enough!"

Interestingly, 52% of renters highlight maintenance-free living as the biggest advantage of renting. HomeManager helps homeowners stay on top of routine tasks by automating reminders and offering clear instructions.

Conclusion

Smart home maintenance apps are changing how homeowners manage their properties, helping to save both time and money. For instance, heating and cooling alone can make up around 55% of a home's yearly energy use.

When choosing an app, think about factors that match your home's specific requirements:

Factor	What to Consider	Why It Matters
Home Size	Total square footage, room count	Impacts the complexity of maintenance schedules
Property Type	House, condo, or apartment	Influences the types of maintenance tasks needed
Time Investment	DIY vs. professional help	Determines the range of features you'll require
Integration Needs	Compatibility with smart devices	Boosts potential energy savings and convenience

To get the most out of these apps, focus on areas that can make a big difference. For example, fixing household leaks - which can waste nearly 10,000 gallons of water a year - can lead to noticeable savings on water bills.

Here are a few tips to simplify your home maintenance:

• Try a free app trial to test out the features.
• Make a detailed list of your home’s equipment and maintenance tasks.
• Use smart plugs to cut down on "vampire energy", which accounts for 13.7% of annual energy costs.

Smart home technology often pays for itself over time. Take smart plugs and lights, for instance - these cost between $10 and $50 and typically recover their cost within 8–12 months. Larger investments, like smart water heaters (ranging from $500 to $1,500), may take longer but can still save $100 to $300 annually.