A home records checklist.
What to keep, and where to begin.

A home can last for generations. Its useful details often disappear between drawers, inboxes and moves. Keeping a record helps today's family understand the house and gives the next family a better starting point.

Start with what you know.
Leave room for the next chapter.

01 / A small beginning

You don't need the whole story.

Choose one place for your digital copies, then gather what you already have: the handover folder, an equipment manual, a recent invoice. Keep original documents where you can find them. Make a short list of missing items instead of delaying until everything is complete.

Separate confirmed facts from memories. An invoice date, an installation date and the day you uploaded a file may be different. If an earlier owner's note says “roof replaced around 2018,” keep that wording and its source until supporting records turn up.

02 / The details worth keeping

Six places to look.

Use these as collection prompts. A blank item is something to investigate, not a reason to guess.

Plans and property documents

Available floor plans, surveys and builder handover documents, with their dates and revision labels.
Project drawings and specifications, clearly distinguished from the work actually completed.

A drawing can describe an intention. Keep later changes and notes alongside it so an old version is not mistaken for the current layout.

Permits and inspection records

Permit numbers, issuing authority, project address and copies you already hold.
Inspection reports and any recorded approval, outstanding item or follow-up.

Keep the document's exact status. A permit application is not proof of final approval. Check uncertain details with the issuing authority.

Equipment and manuals

Equipment type, location, manufacturer, model and serial number; a clear label photo helps.
Installation records, manuals and relevant maintenance instructions.

Match manuals to the model actually installed. Record a replacement as a new chapter and retain the older unit's service history with its identity.

Warranties and purchase information

Warranty terms, purchase receipts, registration confirmations and claim contact details.
Coverage dates and maintenance requirements stated in the original documents.

Keep the source terms, not just a reminder date. Do not assume coverage transfers to another owner; check the provider's requirements before handover.

Repairs, improvements and photographs

The work date, location, reported issue, work completed and person or company involved.
Invoices, before-and-after photos and any unresolved questions or planned follow-up.

Capture useful context while it is fresh. Photos taken before work is covered can help explain a project, but do not replace inspection or professional assessment.

Service contacts and recurring care

Company name, service provided, contact information and the equipment or project it relates to.
Service agreements, visit records and the maintenance schedule supplied for your equipment.

Add what happened at each visit. A contact is more useful when the next person can see which system the company worked on.

03 / Make it useful later

Give each record a little context.

A readable file name helps: date, room or system, then document type. Keep the original file, attach related evidence and note where it came from. Add a brief explanation another person could understand without asking you.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLE

Water heater service

When: June 18, 2026
Where: Utility room
Recorded work: Replacement reported by Example Service Team.
Still to find: Installation invoice and warranty terms.

“Still to find” keeps a gap visible without turning an assumption into a fact.

04 / From one family to the next

Pass on the history thoughtfully.

Before sharing, review every file. Remove personal financial details, identification, account passwords, access codes and information about other people. Keep sensitive originals private and share an appropriate copy when needed. Check photographs for personal details too.

Prepare a simple handover index: key systems, recent work, useful contacts and known gaps. Review who should have access; handing over keys or sharing a QR link should not be treated as permission to expose private files.

Dwellprint connects a property-specific plaque to a digital home record you build over time. It does not automatically recover a home's entire past or verify that every entry is complete. Published records and private information have different access, and a change of owner uses a reviewed handover. The aim is simple: help useful history stay with the home as each family adds its chapter.