Handyman Tips & Guides

Bowling Green Home Maintenance Calendar — What to Fix Every Season

February 2026  ·  8 min read  ·  Bowling Green, KY

Most home maintenance disasters in Bowling Green are not bad luck. They are deferred maintenance that finally hit a deadline. Warren County’s weather is genuinely tough on homes — hot humid summers, freeze-thaw winters, heavy spring storms. Knowing what to fix and when can save you thousands every year.

Here is the complete seasonal calendar for Bowling Green homeowners.

February – March: Pre-Spring Prep

This is the most overlooked maintenance window of the year. Winter is ending but humidity has not risen yet — perfect timing for interior work.

Inspect caulking around all exterior windows and doors after the freeze-thaw cycle. Check gutters for damage from ice. Look at your roof for any shingles that shifted during winter winds. Schedule any interior painting or drywall work now before humidity rises and the busy season begins.

April – May: Storm Season Prep

Bowling Green averages significant wind and hail damage across neighborhoods every spring. Most homeowners notice damage only after it has already caused a secondary problem.

Have a handyman inspect your deck fasteners and fence posts for rot that winter moisture started. Gutter cleaning in late April is critical — spring rain in Warren County is heavy, and blocked gutters in April become rotted fascia by August. Check siding for any panels loosened by winter ice.

June – August: Heat and Humidity

Kentucky summers are hard on bathrooms and basements. Check bathroom caulking and grout — heat expansion stresses these areas faster than most homeowners expect. Inspect your crawl space or basement for moisture intrusion, which is a significant issue in Warren County’s clay-heavy soil.

Seal your deck now if you have not done it this year. Check HVAC vents and dryer vents for blockage — a clogged dryer vent is a fire hazard most homeowners never think about.

September – November: Pre-Winter Protection — The Most Important Window

This is the single most valuable maintenance period for any Bowling Green homeowner. Do not skip it.

Clean gutters in October after leaf fall — Warren County’s oak and maple trees drop heavily and block gutters completely by November. Seal any gaps around pipes, dryer vents, and HVAC penetrations before cold sets in. Replace weatherstripping on all exterior doors. Check attic insulation. Repair fence posts before the ground freezes.

December – January: Emergency-Only Season

Most outdoor work pauses. This is when having an established relationship with a trusted handyman matters most. Protect exposed pipes now. Existing clients get priority scheduling when pipes freeze or storm damage happens.

The best time to find a handyman you trust is before you desperately need one.

The Math Nobody Does Until It Is Too Late

Here is what one year of seasonal maintenance looks like compared to reactive repairs:

Preventive maintenance is not an expense. It is protection for your largest financial asset.

7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Handyman in Bowling Green KY

February 2026  ·  7 min read  ·  Bowling Green, KY

Hiring the wrong handyman cost me $800 once. A guy came out, did a bathroom tile repair, took cash, and disappeared. Three months later the tiles popped because he used the wrong adhesive for a wet area. I had no written estimate, no warranty, and no recourse.

These seven questions will protect you before you hand over a single dollar.

Question 1: Are You Licensed and Insured in Kentucky?

Kentucky does not require a specific handyman license for small repairs. But any contractor doing work over $1,000 in value needs a contractor’s license from the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction. General liability insurance protects you if they damage your property during the job.

Always ask for a certificate of insurance before work begins. A legitimate operator provides it without hesitation. An uninsured handyman means any damage they cause comes out of your pocket — or your homeowner’s insurance deductible.

Question 2: Do You Pull Permits When Required?

In Bowling Green, deck construction, structural changes, and some plumbing requires permits from Warren County. A handyman who skips permits puts legal liability on you as the homeowner. If you sell your home later, unpermitted work can kill a sale or force expensive remediation.

Question 3: Can You Give Me a Written Estimate Before You Start?

Verbal estimates lead to disputes. Every legitimate Bowling Green handyman should provide a written scope of work with material costs separated from labor. No exceptions.

Question 4: What Warranty Do You Offer on Your Work?

Industry standard is 90 days to one year on labor. Materials carry manufacturer warranties separately. Anyone offering no warranty on their labor usually does not expect the work to last. Ask specifically: “Do you provide a written labor warranty?” If the answer is vague, keep looking.

Question 5: Who Actually Does the Work?

Some handyman services in Bowling Green subcontract everything. That is not always bad — but you deserve to know who is coming into your home. Ask directly: will you personally do this work, or will you send someone else?

Question 6: How Do You Handle Material Sourcing?

Good handymen use trade accounts at suppliers and pass some savings to you. A markup of 10 to 25 percent on materials is standard and fair. Watch for handymen who mark up Home Depot materials by 40 percent or more.

Ask which specific materials they plan to use and why. A handyman who answers that question specifically is a different caliber of professional from one who says “whatever I have in the truck.”

Question 7: Can You Provide Three Local References from the Past 90 Days?

Recent references matter. Someone excellent three years ago may have declined. Ask specifically for Bowling Green area references from the last 90 days — and actually call them. Ask: Did they show up on time? Did the final price match the estimate? Would you hire them again?

One More Thing: Build the Relationship Before You Need It

The biggest mistake Bowling Green homeowners make is searching for a handyman during an emergency. When a pipe bursts at 8 PM or a spring storm tears off fascia, you do not want to be Googling strangers.

Many handymen prioritize existing clients for emergency scheduling. That priority is earned before the emergency, not during it. Give a handyman a small job first. Evaluate their work. Then maintain that relationship like the valuable resource it is.