FAQ
Good questions
Straight answers about Look-Ins, closings, cleaning, keys and prices.
How often should my cottage be checked?
It depends on your insurance policy and whether the place is heated or drained. Many policies ask for a visit on a set schedule, such as every 7 days when a home is left unattended, while a drained cottage may need less. Send us your policy wording and we'll match a plan to it: Monthly, Bi-weekly, Weekly or every 72 hours. Your broker has the final say.
What do you look at on a Look-In?
The lane and the way in, the roof line and snow load by eye, doors and windows, signs of water or leaks, the thermostat, unusual smells, pests, the fridge and freezer, and the dock and outbuildings. We photograph the key spots every time. The full list is on our Services page.
What don't your checks cover?
Our Look-Ins are visual inspections with a photo report only. We don't do repairs, plumbing, electrical, propane, roof, snow or ice work, and we don't start up or drain water systems. It isn't a home inspection or a systems test.
What happens if you find a problem or an emergency?
We call you right away and note it in your Keeper's Log. Emergencies are passed to you and, with your OK, to the right licensed trade. We can let the trade in and lock up after.
What is the Keeper's Log?
It's our photo report: dated, timestamped photos and notes from every visit, emailed to you and laid out so you can forward it to your insurer.
How do you look after my keys?
Each key gets a code tag, never your name or address. Keys stay in a locked key safe and every key movement is logged. We hold no more than two keys per cottage, make no copies without your written OK, and return keys within 7 days if we stop working together.
Do you open and drain water systems or put docks in?
No. Those go to licensed trades. We're happy to help coordinate them and let them in (a $79 access visit, or as part of a plan visit).
Do you look after island and boat-access cottages?
Yes, in open water, for +$60 a visit, weather permitting. We never travel on lake ice for work, so island visits pause between freeze-up and break-up unless there's another way in. For island cottages we suggest a drained shut-down and the Monthly plan over winter.
Where do you work?
Around Lake Rosseau: Rosseau, Minett, Windermere, Port Carling and nearby. Travel under 30 minutes from our base is included; farther cottages have a small travel charge listed on our Pricing page. Put your location in the request form and we'll tell you your zone.
Who will be at my cottage?
We're a father-and-son business and we do the work ourselves. On bigger cleans we sometimes work together, which is where the two-person rate comes from.
When does service start? What about insurance?
We're taking requests now. Service begins once our insurance is in place, and we'll confirm everything with you before any visit.
Do your prices include HST? How do I pay?
Prices are before HST. No payment is taken online; we'll confirm your price and how to pay with you directly before any work. Look-In plans are billed monthly, or prepaid for the season with Founding Keeper.
What's your cancellation policy?
$50, or 50% of the job if you cancel the same day. If weather makes a visit unsafe, we reschedule at no charge.
Didn't see your question?
Ask us anything through the request form and we'll get back to you.