The people and the rhythm

Maintenance & Vendors.

Trusted contractors who know the house, what they handle, when they come, and what they cost. The rhythm that keeps things from breaking.

Annual rhythm

The seasonal calendar — the work that's worth scheduling before something goes wrong.

January: Mid-winter check — ice dams, indoor air quality
February: Plan spring projects
March: A/C tune-up before season
April: Gutter cleaning, exterior paint inspection, garden cleanup
May: Window washing, screen install
June–August: Garden care cadence (see Garden page)
September: Furnace tune-up, chimney sweep
October: Gutter cleaning, outdoor faucets winterized, garden cut-back
November: Storm windows on, leaves cleared
December: Holiday lighting, snow plan in place

House & mechanical

HVAC

Vendor: Company name, phone, email, account number, since-when
Service plan: Spring + fall tune-up, what it costs, what it covers

Plumbing

Vendor: Company name, phone, who knows the house
Sewer cleaning: Vendor, frequency, last visit

Electrical

Vendor: Company name, phone

Roof & gutters

Roofer: Company name, phone, last work done
Gutter cleaning: Vendor, schedule, what it costs

Pest & termite

Vendor: Company name, phone, schedule

Cleaning

Housekeeper / cleaning service: Name, phone, schedule
Window washer: Vendor, schedule

Garden & grounds

Lead gardener: Name, phone, what they handle, schedule
Tree service / arborist: Company name, phone, last work done
Lawn / mow: If separate from gardener
Snow plow / shoveling: Vendor, schedule, what triggers a visit
Irrigation: Vendor, spring start-up + fall blow-out

Specialists for old houses

When something needs to be done right rather than fast.

Carpenter / millwork: Someone who can match original trim and details
Plasterer: For real plaster work, not drywall patch
Painter: Interior and exterior preferred vendors
Mason: For brick, stone, repointing
Window restoration: For original wood sashes
Hardware / locks: For period hardware

Utilities & accounts

Electric: Provider, account number kept in Documents
Gas: Provider, account number kept in Documents
Water / sewer: Provider, account number kept in Documents
Trash & recycling: Pickup days, what goes where
Internet / TV: Provider, plan, where the equipment lives