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Cottage Care & Vacation Home Caretaking in Northern Michigan

Spring opening, fall closing, and year-round home watch for second homes across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, and Antrim County.

You bought your place on the lake, in the woods, or on the peninsula because you love it up here. The problem is Northern Michigan doesn't go easy on a property while you're away — and a frozen pipe or a failed sump pump won't wait for your next visit to announce itself. I'm a licensed builder and Chemical Engineer based in Traverse City. I open your property in spring, close it for winter, and check on it in between — with a full photo report after every visit so you always know exactly where things stand, even when you're 300 miles away.

Lakefront vacation property on Spider Lake near Traverse City MichiganSeasonal cottage care visit and walkthrough at a vacation home near Traverse City Michigan

Pricing

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Spring Opening

$499

Full opening checklist + photo report

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Fall Closing

$499

Full winterization + thermal scan + photo report

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Opening + Closing

$899

Book both and save $99

Larger properties, waterfront homes with docks, or extended winterization quoted individually. Call or text 231-252-0020.

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Spring Opening

I get your property ready before you arrive — so you walk in and enjoy it, not spend your first weekend dealing with what winter left behind.

Turn on water supply and check for frozen or burst pipes
Flush water lines and test the water heater
Test sump pump and discharge
Open and test exterior spigots and hose bibs
HVAC filter change and system start-up
Full interior and exterior walkthrough for winter damage
Roof, siding, and foundation check for ice or storm damage
Pest check — rodents, insects, nests
Dock and waterfront area check (if applicable)
Full digital photo report sent to you before you arrive
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Fall Closing

I button up your property so it's protected all winter. Before I leave, I run a thermal scan to find heat loss before you spend a season paying to heat the outdoors.

Full plumbing winterization — blow out lines, antifreeze in traps and drains, drain water heater if needed
Shut off water supply at main
Set thermostat for freeze protection
HVAC filter change and furnace check
Full gutter clearing before freeze/thaw season
Thermal imaging scan for heat loss and insulation gaps
Exterior winterization — spigots, vents, screens
Secure property — lock check, window check, entry points
Full digital photo report with winter prep summary
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Winter Monitoring

Peace of mind when you're not here. I check on your property regularly, respond after major storms, and contact you immediately if something needs attention — not after you've already made the drive up.

Monthly or bi-monthly property drive-by
Exterior visual check — roof, ice dams, snow load, entry points
Verify heat is running — temperature monitoring
Photo updates sent to you after each check
Storm response — priority check after major weather events
Furnace exhaust and walkway clearing as needed
Coordinate with plow and other service providers on your behalf

Want eyes on your property year-round? We install and configure remote monitoring equipment including smart thermostats, leak detection sensors, Wi-Fi cameras, and smart locks — so you can check on your cottage from anywhere. Ask about smart home setup during your next seasonal visit or contact us to get started.

Why Second-Home Owners Choose Me

Most property caretakers are handymen or lawn care guys who added cottage watching as a side service. I'm a licensed Michigan builder with a Chemical Engineering degree and thermal imaging equipment. When I open your cottage in spring, I'm not just turning on the water — I'm checking the foundation for freeze/thaw damage, scanning the roof for ice dam evidence, and testing your sump pump. When I close it for winter, I'm running a thermal scan to find heat loss before you spend a season paying to heat the outdoors. And every visit comes with a full digital photo report — so you see exactly what I see, even when you're 300 miles away.

What's Included in Every Visit

Full digital photo report — every finding documented
30 minutes of handyman time for small fixes
Written recommendations for anything that needs follow-up
Direct communication with Justin — no call centers, no rotating techs

Ready to Stop Worrying About Your Property?

Tell me about your place and I'll let you know exactly how I can help. Most clients are set up within a week.

Learn about our full seasonal maintenance program

Service Area

I serve second homes, vacation properties, and seasonal cottages throughout Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, and Antrim Counties — including Old Mission Peninsula, Suttons Bay, Glen Arbor, Lake Leelanau, Elk Rapids, Benzonia, and surrounding areas.

Many of my cottage care clients are on Torch Lake, Crystal Lake, Glen Lake, Lake Leelanau, or along the Benzie and Leelanau shorelines — places where freeze-thaw cycles, lake-effect snow, and seasonal vacancy mean a property can develop serious problems between visits. If you own a vacation home or seasonal cottage in Northern Michigan and need a licensed professional for spring opening, fall closing, or year-round home watch services, I serve your area.

❓Frequently Asked Questions

Related Services

Seasonal Maintenance Program

Year-round preventative maintenance with quarterly visits for primary and secondary homes throughout Northern Michigan.

Preventative Assessments

Comprehensive builder-led assessments with thermal imaging to identify issues before they become costly repairs.

Benzie County Cottage Care

Own a place on Crystal Lake, Frankfort, or the Benzie shoreline? I serve the area with dedicated scheduled days — no extra drive fee.