Proactive Home Maintenance in Boulder

Year-Round Maintenance Tasks

Beyond seasonal work, these maintenance tasks keep your home functioning properly:

• HVAC filter replacement—we swap filters on a regular schedule (monthly or quarterly, depending on your system and needs)

• Dryer vent cleaning—annual cleaning reduces fire risk and improves dryer efficiency

• Smoke and CO detector maintenance—test units, replace batteries, replace units older than 10 years

• Garage door maintenance—lubricate tracks and rollers, tighten hardware, test safety sensors

• Appliance vent cleaning—range hood filters, bathroom exhaust fans, whole-house fan maintenance

• Door and window hardware—lubricate hinges and locks, adjust closers, replace worn hardware

• Caulking maintenance—showers, tubs, sinks, windows—caulk degrades and needs periodic replacement

• Grout inspection and repair—cracked or missing grout lets water behind tiles, causing damage

• Weather stripping—replace worn seals on doors, windows, and attic hatches [Link: /home-weatherproofing-boulder]

• Cabinet and drawer adjustment—tighten loose hinges, adjust drawer slides, fix cabinet doors that don't close

• Attic hatch sealing—insulate and weatherstrip attic access points

• Crawl space inspection—visual inspection for moisture, pest activity, insulation damage

• Wood rot inspection and repair—catch rot early before it spreads. Window sills, door frames, deck boards.

What We Don't Do (And Why)

Some maintenance requires licensed specialists. We focus on what we do best and refer you to trusted professionals for:

• Electrical work—beyond changing bulbs and batteries, electrical requires a licensed electrician

• Plumbing—we handle caulking and external prep, but pipe work requires a licensed plumber

• HVAC systems—we change filters, but furnace/AC servicing requires HVAC technicians

• Roofing—we clean gutters and inspect from the ground, but roof repairs need a roofer

• Chimney cleaning—requires specialized equipment and certified chimney sweeps

• Gas appliances—any gas work requires licensed professionals

Common Home Maintenance Issues in Boulder

• GUTTER OVERFLOW & ICE DAMS: Clogged gutters cause water damage and ice dams in winter. Regular cleaning prevents foundation problems and interior leaks. Our maintenance plans include 2-3 gutter cleanings per year.

• DECK DETERIORATION: Boulder's UV and freeze-thaw cycles destroy unprotected decks. Annual inspection and timely staining/sealing extends deck life by 10+ years.

• CAULK AND SEALANT FAILURE: Extreme temperature swings crack caulking faster than anywhere else. Failed caulk lets water and air into your home. We inspect and reseal as part of seasonal maintenance.

• WOOD ROT: Hidden moisture causes rot in siding, trim, window frames, and deck boards. Early detection during inspections prevents structural damage.

• HAIL DAMAGE: Annual hailstorms damage siding, screens, and gutters. Post-storm inspections catch damage before secondary problems develop.

• WEATHERSTRIPPING WEAR: Door and window seals degrade from UV and temperature extremes. Worn weatherstripping increases heating/cooling costs 10-15%.

All plans: Work is billed at $120/hour. Maintenance materials are included in the estimates. Priority scheduling for plan members. Detailed documentation of all work performed.

Our Proactive Maintenance Process

1. Initial Consultation (Free)—We discuss your home, your concerns, and your maintenance goals. 15-30 minutes by phone or in person.

2. Home Assessment—Comprehensive walkthrough of your property, inside and out. We document current condition, identify issues, and note upcoming maintenance needs.

3. Custom Maintenance Plan—Based on your home's age, condition, and your preferences, we create a prioritized maintenance schedule. You'll know exactly what's needed and when.

4. Scheduled Service Visits—We arrive on schedule, complete the planned work, and leave your home better than we found it. You're always informed of what was done.

5. Ongoing Communication—After each visit, you receive a summary of work completed and any issues we noticed. We track everything so nothing falls through the cracks.

Proactive Maintenance Costs

• Annual Inspection: $350-$500 (2-4 hours depending on home size)

• Gutter Cleaning: $180-$360 per visit (1.5-3 hours depending on home size/complexity)

• Seasonal Prep Visit: $240-$480 (2-4 hours)

• Dryer Vent Cleaning: $120-$180 (1-1.5 hours)

• Weatherization Package: $360-$600 (caulking, weatherstripping, storm windows)

• Deck Staining: $400-$1,200+ depending on size and condition

Rate: $120/hour for all maintenance work. Materials and supplies are quoted separately. No trip charges, no hidden fees. 4-hour minimum for scheduled visits.

FAQs

How often should I have my Boulder home inspected for maintenance needs?

At minimum, once per year—ideally in spring to assess winter damage. For older homes or properties with known issues, we recommend seasonal inspections (4x/year). Boulder's extreme climate accelerates wear compared to more temperate regions.

What's the most critical maintenance task for Boulder homes?

Gutter cleaning and proper drainage. Clogged gutters cause ice dams (roof damage), foundation problems, and basement water issues. We recommend 2-3 cleanings per year: spring (after pollen), late fall (after leaves), and mid-summer if you have cottonwoods nearby.

How much can I save by doing proactive maintenance vs. reactive repairs?

Most studies show 3-5x savings. A $200 gutter cleaning prevents $1,000+ in ice dam repairs. A $400 deck staining prevents $3,000+ in deck replacement. An $80 caulk job prevents $800+ in water damage repairs. The math always favors prevention.

Do you handle emergency repairs, or just scheduled maintenance?

Both. Maintenance plan members get priority scheduling for unexpected issues. We can't always respond same-day, but we'll get to you faster than starting from scratch with a new contractor. For true emergencies (significant storm damage, etc.), we do our best to accommodate.

What's included in a seasonal maintenance visit?

Each season has different priorities. Spring: gutter cleaning, exterior inspection, caulk check, screen installation. Summer: deck/fence assessment, hail damage check, mid-season gutter check. Fall: gutter cleaning, weatherstripping, storm window installation, winterization. Winter: interior focus, door adjustments, filter changes.

Can you coordinate with other contractors on tasks you don't handle?

Yes. We have relationships with trusted electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and roofers in Boulder. When we identify issues outside our scope, we can recommend professionals and, if you'd like, coordinate the work so you don't have to manage multiple contractors.

I'm an out-of-state owner with a Boulder property. Can you manage ongoing maintenance?

Absolutely. Our Full Service plan is designed for precisely this situation. We handle scheduled maintenance, respond to issues, coordinate with other contractors, and keep you informed with detailed reports and photos. You don't need to be present for any of it.