Autumn in New England is a spectacular time—foliage, crisp air, the anticipation of the holidays—but it doesn’t come without its downsides. Preparing to hunker down for a cold winter means more than stocking up on cozy sweaters. Your home requires preparation too.

Even after the leaves have all been raked and the gutters cleaned, there are a few more things you can do to make sure you make the most out of your autumn.

1. Schedule a home energy audit.

Energy audits are one of those things that often end up on the long "to-do" list. While its something easily put off, you can only improve your year (and the years to come) by making this the one you finally schedule it!

Making our homes more energy efficient not only helps the environment, but also our wallets. According to Energy.gov, "You can save 5%-30% on your energy bill by making upgrades following a home energy assessment."

During an energy audit, the auditor walks through your home and assesses certain things like insulation, ducts, and the furnace. They conduct blower door tests to measure airtightness, and they might use thermography to test for air leakage. And while you’re striving to make your home as airtight and efficient as possible, remember to do what you can to improve the quality of that air.

As for cost, many utility companies offer free or low-cost audits, so it's worth checking with your provider.

2. Know who to call if the unthinkable happens to your home.

Hurricane season is with us until November 30. And we all know what New England winters can be like. The risk of weather-related damage to our homes is quite real. And when disaster hits, it can truly upend our lives.

Now is the time to practice a bit of "preventive medicine" by reviewing your homeowners policy and understanding how insurance restoration services work. This is something we specialize in, so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask us.

3. If you’re thinking of building or renovating, start now.

Autumn is a great time to start your home renovation or building project. Starting now means you will have ample time for the planning phase, which is fundamental in making sure you get what you want out of your project.

Another thing to get you started is creating an account on Houzz or Pinterest to start collecting photos of designs and ideas you like. These are great to share with design/build firms like ours so we can get a good feel for your style, taste and any functionality you may want.

4. Start your holiday shopping early.

Lastly, if you’ve started your holiday shopping, consider giving the gift of a new kitchen, bathroom or home office to that special someone! A referral to a reputable builder for family and friends looking to work on their homes also makes a great gift. Enjoy the season!