What should you do to prepare your home or property for winter? Hire A Hubby answers the most common winter home and property maintenance questions from Australian homeowners, landlords, apartment owners, and businesses — with practical advice on what to prioritise, how to manage costs, and when to call in the professionals.
As the temperature drops and the days get shorter, winter has a way of revealing every little thing your home has been quietly putting up with all year. Draughty windows, leaking gutters, stiff gate hinges — they’re easy to ignore in the warmer months, but come winter, they can become real headaches (and real expenses).
We know cost of living is front of mind for a lot of Australians right now. The good news? Most winter maintenance jobs are far more affordable when you tackle them early — before small issues snowball into big ones. At Hire A Hubby, we work with homeowners, landlords, and businesses right across Australia to plan a prioritised to-do list that fits your budget and timeline, so nothing feels overwhelming.
Here are the questions we hear most often this time of year.
Q1: Why does winter home and property maintenance matter — can’t I just deal with things as they come up?
It’s a fair question, especially when budgets are stretched. But the reality is that small problems rarely stay small. A minor roof leak ignored over winter can mean water damage, mould, and costly repairs by spring. A stiff or broken lock becomes a security risk. Peeling exterior paint leads to timber rot. Addressing maintenance now — even just the most urgent items — almost always costs less than fixing the damage caused by leaving things too long. Think of it as protecting your investment, not adding to your expenses.
Q2: I’ve got a long list of things to fix. Where do I even start?
This is exactly where Hire A Hubby can help. When budgets are tight, it’s all about prioritising the right jobs. We generally recommend starting with anything that affects weatherproofing (keeping water and cold air out), security, and safety — then working through cosmetic and comfort improvements from there. When you contact us for a quote, we’re happy to walk through your list with you, help you prioritise, and plan the work in stages that suit your budget and timeframe. You don’t have to do everything at once.
Q3: What are the most important things to check before winter sets in?
A good Australian winter home and property maintenance checklist includes:
- Gutters and downpipes — Clear out leaves, debris, and blockages. Blocked gutters can cause water to back up and damage your roof, fascias, and even your foundations.
- Roof and flashings — Look for cracked or missing tiles, lifting flashings, or any signs of wear that could let water in.
- Seals and weatherstripping — Check around doors and windows for gaps. Draughts make your home harder (and more expensive) to heat.
- Exterior paint and caulking — Cracked or peeling paint exposes timber and masonry to moisture damage over winter.
- Fencing and gates — Winter storms and wet ground can take a toll. Check for loose posts, damaged palings, and stiff or misaligned hardware.
- Decks and outdoor areas — Wet timber that’s not sealed properly can warp, crack, or rot.
Even ticking off two or three of these can make a meaningful difference. Hire A Hubby can help you work through the full list at a pace that suits you.
👉 Call 1800 803 339 or click here to get a quote.
Q4: My gutters are full of leaves every year. Is it really worth cleaning them?
Yes – gutter cleaning is one of the highest-value maintenance jobs you can do before winter. Blocked gutters don’t just overflow; they hold moisture against your roofline, which can rot fascia boards, damage ceilings, and even contribute to mould inside your home. They can also become a fire hazard in dry conditions. It’s a relatively quick and affordable job, and it’s one of the first things Hire A Hubby would recommend getting sorted before the winter rains arrive.
Q5: My home feels cold and draughty in winter. What can be done about it?
Draughts are one of the most common — and most fixable — winter comfort issues across Australian homes. Gaps around door frames, window frames, and skirting boards let cold air in and warm air out, making your home harder to heat and pushing up energy bills. Solutions include draught sealing, replacing worn door sweeps and weatherstripping, resealing gaps with appropriate caulking, and checking that exhaust fans and vents have proper seals when not in use. These are generally low-cost jobs with an immediate impact on comfort and heating costs.
Q6: I’m a landlord. What are my responsibilities when it comes to winter maintenance?
Keeping a rental property weatherproof, secure, and in good repair is a legal requirement across Australia — not just good practice. That means addressing leaking roofs, broken windows, faulty locks, damaged gutters, and structural issues in a timely way. Well-maintained properties also attract better tenants, reduce vacancy periods, and hold their value.
If you own multiple properties or are a Property Manager, Hire A Hubby can help you or your Property Manager to plan and schedule maintenance across your portfolio — taking the admin headache off your plate.
NB. legislation and requirements concerning landlord responsibilities to maintain a property may vary from state to state.
Q7: I manage a small business or commercial premises. Is this relevant to me too?
Very much so. Winter weather can affect commercial properties just as much as residential ones — leaking roofs, damaged signage, worn exterior paint, stiff roller doors, broken fencing, and trip hazards from damaged paths or steps all need attention. There’s also a duty of care to staff and customers to keep your premises safe and well-maintained. Hire A Hubby works with businesses right across Australia, and we can schedule work at times that minimise disruption to your operations.
👉 Call 1800 803 339 or click here to get a quote.
Q8: I live in or own an apartment. Is there much winter maintenance I actually need to worry about?
More than you might think. While your body corporate handles common areas and the building exterior, there’s plenty inside your apartment that benefits from a winter once-over. Think sealing gaps around windows and sliding doors, repairing worn door hardware, fixing internal caulking in wet areas, patching and repainting walls, and general wear-and-tear fixes.
If you’re a landlord with an apartment tenancy, the same maintenance obligations apply regardless of the building type. Hire A Hubby regularly works with Landlords and Property Managers throughout Australia on exactly these kinds of jobs.
Q9: How do I know if something is a job for Hire A Hubby or a licensed tradesperson?
Good question — and we’ll always be upfront with you about this. Hire A Hubby handles a huge range of handyman and home and property maintenance work in many locations across Australia. That includes repairs, painting, carpentry, gutter cleaning, weatherproofing, fencing, decking, tiling, and much more.
Some of our franchisees are also licensed carpenters, builders, or kitchen and bathroom renovation specialists. What we don’t do is licensed electrical or plumbing work — those always need a qualified tradesperson – but we can often recommend other trades. If something falls outside our scope, we’ll let you know so you can get the right person for the job. No runaround.
Q10: I want to get a few things done but I’m not sure what’s in my budget. How does the process work?
Just reach out to Hire A Hubby and we’ll take it from there. Tell us what you’re dealing with — even if it’s just a rough list — and we’ll provide a clear, obligation-free quote. If the full list feels like too much right now, we can help you work out what to prioritise and plan the rest for later in the year. There’s no pressure, and no job is too big or too small. The goal is to make things easier for you, not harder.
Hire A Hubby today
Need a hand? Hire A Hubby can help.
👉 Call 1800 803 339 or click here to get a quote.
