Services
Everything a visit covers, item by item.
This is the actual checklist we carry on the phone at every visit. Every item is answered OK, Attention, or Problem, and the whole list appears in your report so you can see nothing was skipped.
Arrival and exterior
- Front door, locks, and frameSigns of tampering, swelling, or damage
- Windows and storm windows, all sidesCracks, gaps, condensation between panes
- Roof, gutters, and ice dams from ground levelIcicles, sagging gutters, missing shingles
- Driveway, walks, and stepsSnow and ice cleared, plow service came, trip hazards
- Deck, porch, and railings
- Landscaping and downspoutsDownspouts clear, extensions in place, drainage away from house
- Mail, packages, and flyersCollect and bring inside. Piled up flyers say nobody is home
- Exterior lights, timers, and cameras
- Signs of animals or pestsTracks, droppings, chewed siding, nests in vents
- Lake, dock, and boat coverSkip if none
Interior general
- Alarm system status on entryNote any faults or low battery
- Overall smellGas, mildew, sewer, smoke, something dead
- Thermostat setting and actual temperatureOwner's away setting, usually 55 to 60
- Humidity readingWinter target 30 to 40 percent
- Ceilings and wallsStains, cracks, bubbling paint, frost
- FloorsWater, warping, discoloration
- Signs of mice insideDroppings along walls, under sinks, in pantry
- Lights, timers, and ceiling fans working
- Windows and doors locked from inside
Kitchen
- Refrigerator and freezer temperatureNote reading, check for spoilage
- Dishwasher, run a short cycleCheck for leaks under and around
- Garbage disposal, run with water
- Under sink plumbingDrips, moisture, corrosion, frozen pipe risk on outside walls
- Ice maker supply line
- Range, oven, and microwave power on
Bathrooms
- Flush every toiletWatch for slow fill or running
- Run every faucet and showerKeeps traps full, check drainage, confirms pipes are not frozen
- Under sink plumbing
- Exhaust fans
- Grout, caulk, and mildew
Laundry
- Washer hoses and shutoff valvesBulging, cracking, moisture
- Dryer vent and lint
- Run a short washer cycle
Basement and mechanical
- Furnace running and heatingListen for short cycling, check flame
- Furnace filter
- Water heaterLeaks, corrosion, pilot lit, temperature setting
- Sump pump testPour water in the pit, confirm it runs and drains. Check backup battery
- Basement walls and floorSeepage, efflorescence, cracks, standing water
- Main water shutoffNote whether open or closed
- Electrical panelTripped breakers, heat, buzzing
- Water softener salt level
- Pipes on exterior walls and in crawl spacesHeat tape working, insulation in place
- Generator test runSkip if none
- Water leak sensors and smart devices online
Garage
- Garage door operation and seal
- VehiclesBattery tender connected, tires, start engine if requested
- Snowblower and outdoor equipmentSkip if none
- Odors, moisture, or pests
Closing
- All doors and windows locked
- Thermostat set to owner's away setting
- Lights off, timers as instructed
- Alarm armed
- Front door on exitProof of secure departure
Beyond the regular visit
Fall shut-down
Before you leave: thermostat set, water where it should be, timers, outside faucets, the walk-through where we learn your house.
Spring open-up
Before you land: heat up, water on, fridge stocked if you like, a full check so you walk into a house that is ready.
Storm and outage checks
After a big storm or a power outage, an extra visit to make sure the sump pump, furnace, and generator did their jobs.
Meeting contractors
Furnace service, a plumber, a delivery, an inspector. We open the door, stay for the work, lock up, and tell you how it went.
Vehicle care
Start the car, run it, check the tender and the tires, so it is ready when you are.
Anything you ask
Water the plants, bring in a package, check on the boat. If it is reasonable, ask.
Want a quote for your house?
Every house is a little different. Tell us about yours and we will get back to you within a business day.