Home Maintenance in Brighton, ON

Opening and Closing a Brighton House Each Season

Between May and October, Brighton fills up, and houses that sat quiet all winter suddenly get used every day. A spring visit before that rush is the time to check what winter did. We look at exterior caulking, siding, the deck and railings, screens, eaves troughs and anything that froze. A screen with a small tear is a quick fix now and an annoyance all summer if it's left. If something needs fixing, it gets done before the season is in full swing.

The fall visit is about closing up properly. Waterfront homes and those along the lakeshore face the worst of the winter wind and damp, so we focus on keeping water out: troughs cleared, downspouts running, window and door seals tight and outdoor taps shut off. If there's a sump pump, we make sure it runs. If the house will sit empty for months, it's worth having someone look it over before you leave.

Year-round residents get the same property maintenance routine, with more items inside: weatherstripping, door hardware, bathroom fans, smoke and CO detectors. Heritage homes near the core usually have a slightly longer list. Expect $200 to $350 for a typical half-day visit. Larger waterfront properties, with more deck and more exterior to cover, may take the whole day, which runs $400 to $600.

Pedro handles seasonal upkeep and preventative maintenance. For how he approaches home maintenance in general, see our home maintenance page.