🏠For New Homeowners

Your first home.
Don't overpay for it.

New homeowners spend $3,000–7,000/year on home services — most of it at premium individual rates. Neighbor-Pool helps you get the same quality services at 25–40% off by pooling demand with your new neighbors.

$1,000–2,500
avg. first-year savings
7
services to budget for
Free
to join
Year one priorities

What to spend money on — and what to skip

Not all home services are equally urgent. Here's the honest breakdown, with both individual and Neighbor-Pool group rates.

Absolutely need

HVAC Maintenance

Your heating and cooling system is the most expensive equipment in your home. Annual maintenance extends its life by 5–10 years and catches small problems before they become $3,000 emergencies.

$80–150/yr
$55–105/yr
with Neighbor-Pool

Pest Control

Quarterly perimeter treatments prevent infestations that cause structural damage (termites) or health issues (roaches, rodents). Prevention costs a fraction of treatment.

$160–280/yr
$100–180/yr
with Neighbor-Pool

Gutter Cleaning

Clogged gutters cause water to back up under shingles and into foundations — often $5,000–20,000 in damage. Clean them twice a year, every year.

$150–300/yr
$85–180/yr
with Neighbor-Pool

Lawn Care

A neglected lawn reduces property value and can violate HOA rules. Even if you mow yourself, professional fertilization and weed control make a dramatic difference.

$600–2,400/yr
$380–1,440/yr
with Neighbor-Pool

Worth considering

House Cleaning

Professional deep cleans 2–3x yearly keep your home healthy and protect surfaces. Especially valuable if you have pets, allergies, or a busy schedule.

$1,200–3,600/yr
$780–2,340/yr
with Neighbor-Pool

Window Cleaning

Twice a year keeps windows clear and lets you spot damage to seals and frames early. Hard to justify at individual rates; easy to justify at group rates.

$150–350/visit
$95–220/visit
with Neighbor-Pool

Pressure Washing

Annual washing prevents mold and algae that damage siding and concrete. Especially important in humid climates or before you repaint.

$200–500/visit
$120–300/visit
with Neighbor-Pool

Can wait (year 3+)

Lawn Aeration

New lawns don't need aeration. Wait until compaction becomes visible — usually 3–5 years in.

$75–200
$45–130
with Neighbor-Pool

Duct Cleaning

The EPA doesn't recommend annual duct cleaning. Once every 5–7 years is sufficient unless you have heavy pet dander or post-renovation dust.

$300–500
$200–350
with Neighbor-Pool
Smart start

5 things to do in your first 90 days

🔍
#1

Walk your property before hiring anyone

Do a full walkthrough — roof (binoculars), foundation, gutters, crawl space if applicable. Document everything with photos. You need a baseline to catch problems and compare quotes intelligently.

📋
#2

Get home inspection reports from your realtor

Your inspection report listed every issue in priority order. Use it as your service roadmap. Urgent items need attention now; minor items can be scheduled for year 1–3.

🤝
#3

Meet your neighbors in the first 30 days

Your neighbors are an invaluable source of local contractor intelligence. They know who's reliable, who to avoid, and what things actually cost in your specific area.

📅
#4

Build a maintenance calendar immediately

Schedule gutter cleaning (spring/fall), HVAC service (spring/fall), pest control (quarterly), and lawn care before you need them. React-mode maintenance always costs more.

🏠
#5

Join your neighborhood group early

The best savings come from being part of a neighborhood pool from the start — not trying to join mid-contract. Get in before your neighbors lock in their deals for the year.

The math

Year one at individual rates vs. group rates

Service
Individual rate
Group rate
Lawn care (seasonal)
$1,200–2,400
$760–1,440
HVAC maintenance (annual)
$150–300
$100–200
Pest control (quarterly)
$160–280
$100–170
Gutter cleaning (2x/yr)
$200–400
$120–240
House cleaning (bi-monthly)
$720–1,800
$470–1,170
Total estimated
$2,430–5,180
$1,550–3,220

Estimates based on national averages. Actual rates depend on home size, location, and provider.

“We bought our first home in March and joined Neighbor-Pool in April. By June we had lawn care, pest control, and gutter cleaning all set up at group rates. I didn't even know my neighbors yet — the platform matched us automatically.”
Jessica A. — First-time homeowner, Nashville TN
Questions

New homeowner questions answered

How much should I budget for home maintenance in year one?
The traditional rule is 1–2% of your home's purchase price per year for maintenance. On a $350,000 home, that's $3,500–7,000/year. With Neighbor-Pool group rates, many new homeowners bring their actual service costs to $2,000–4,500/year — saving $1,000–2,500 annually.
Do I need to coordinate all services together, or can I start with just one?
You can start with any single service — most new homeowners begin with lawn care or pest control since those have year-round urgency. You're never locked into anything until you accept a specific group rate offer.
What if I just moved in and don't know my neighbors yet?
You don't need to know your neighbors to join. Neighbor-Pool handles the aggregation — other residents in your area who are already signed up will include your home in their group automatically.
Can I join a group if I rent (not own) my new place?
For services that affect the interior (cleaning, pest control), renters can absolutely participate. For exterior services (lawn care, gutter cleaning), check with your landlord first — some leases cover these.
What happens if I join and then move within a year?
Most group contracts are structured per-visit rather than as long-term commitments. If you move, you can cancel upcoming visits with standard notice (typically 30 days). There's no long-term lock-in.
Are Neighbor-Pool providers the same quality as ones I'd find on my own?
All providers are vetted for licensing, insurance, and reviews before they're eligible for deals. Group contracts also create accountability — a provider serving 12 homes on one block has strong incentive to perform well. Reviews from actual neighbors on your street are more reliable than anonymous online ratings.
🏠

Start saving on your new home

Free to join. See the actual group rate before you commit to anything.

Join Your Neighborhood Pool →