The Guided Home Maintenance System is the most comprehensive participation option offered through Education Forward. It is designed for homeowners who want more than information alone and would benefit from additional guidance while learning how to better understand, organize, and manage their home.

Many homeowners know something needs attention within their home but are often unsure where to begin. They may have questions about maintenance priorities, system operation, service records, planning, or when professional assistance may be appropriate. The Guided Home Maintenance System was developed to help bridge that gap through a combination of educational resources, planning tools, and personalized orientation support.

Rather than simply providing a guide and planner, this system includes an opportunity to review the materials with guided assistance, helping participants apply the information to their own home and circumstances.

What’s Included

Full Home Maintenance Guide & Planner System

Participants receive the complete Home Maintenance: What To Do First Guide & Planner System in the larger workbook format (8.5” × 11”).

The guide provides a structured overview of common residential systems and maintenance considerations, including:

Planning and preparation
Plumbing systems and fixtures
Electrical systems and safety devices
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
Water heating equipment
Roofing, drainage, gutters, and siding awareness
Garage doors and mechanical systems
Windows, doors, and exterior envelope considerations
Interior surfaces, flooring, and hardware awareness
Home maintenance planning and organization

The goal is to help homeowners better understand how various systems function within the home and how those systems interact with one another over time.

Dedicated Planning System

The planner portion of the system provides a structured location to organize important home information, including:

Maintenance records
Service history
Contractor information
Equipment information
Emergency contacts
Seasonal maintenance activities
Home improvement notes
Future planning considerations

By organizing information in one location, homeowners can create a valuable long-term reference for their property.

Secure Digital System Access

Participants receive access to the digital planning system through the Education Forward member portal.

Digital access allows homeowners to:

Maintain records electronically
Access planning resources from multiple devices
Benefit from future system updates and improvements
Receive notifications when new educational resources become available
Keep information organized and accessible

The member portal is designed to provide ongoing value beyond the initial participation experience.

Quick Start Guide

The Quick Start Guide provides simple instructions to help participants begin using the system immediately.

It outlines key areas to focus on, how to organize information, and practical first steps for building a useful home maintenance record.

Guided Home Maintenance Orientation Session

What makes the Guided Home Maintenance System different is the optional orientation session.

Participants may schedule a guided Home Maintenance Orientation Session to discuss:

Questions about the guide and planner
Areas of uncertainty within the home
Maintenance planning considerations
Home system awareness
Prioritization and organization strategies
Practical application of the system

The objective is not to provide inspections, technical consulting, or contractor recommendations. The purpose is to help participants better understand how to use the system and become more confident navigating home maintenance decisions.

Orientation Options

Zoom Session

A guided 60-minute Zoom session provides an opportunity to review key areas of the system, discuss questions, and help participants apply the educational material to their specific situation.

In-Home Orientation (Where Available)

For participants who prefer a more hands-on experience, in-home orientation sessions may be available based on location and scheduling availability.

Additional service considerations may apply and are discussed during scheduling.

Who Is This System For?

The Guided Home Maintenance System is ideal for:

First-time homeowners
Homeowners seeking greater confidence and clarity
Individuals who prefer guided support when learning
Families wanting a structured maintenance framework
Homeowners planning long-term property ownership
Individuals who want both educational resources and personalized guidance
Homeowners transitioning from reactive maintenance to proactive planning

Why Guidance Matters

Information is valuable, but applying information to a real home can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Every home is different. Maintenance priorities vary. Questions arise. Homeowners often find themselves wondering:

What should I focus on first?
Which items are routine maintenance?
What information should I keep?
How do I organize everything?
When should I seek professional assistance?

The Guided Home Maintenance System provides a structured framework that helps answer those questions while supporting homeowners as they build a clearer understanding of their home.

Built Around Education and Awareness

The Guided Home Maintenance System is educational in nature and focuses on homeowner awareness.

It is not a home inspection, engineering service, contractor consultation, or professional trade service. Instead, it is designed to help homeowners better understand the environments they live in, become more organized, and make more informed maintenance decisions over time.

A Complete Homeowner Support System

By combining educational materials, planning tools, digital access, and guided orientation support, the Guided Home Maintenance System provides the most comprehensive homeowner experience available through Education Forward.

The goal is simple:

To help homeowners understand their homes with greater clarity, stay organized, and make more confident maintenance decisions for years to come.

One-time participation. Includes guided orientation and ongoing access to the digital planning system. Printed materials available through participating local pickup locations where applicable.