Not every trip involves pets, but every trip leaves a home behind. Mail piles up, packages sit on the porch, plants dry out and lights stay on or off for days. A home presence check gives your house a regular visit while you are away, so small issues are noticed early.
If you want a full overview of the service, see Home Presence Visits in Louisville: What Happens When You Don't Have Pets. This post focuses on what to do before you leave and how to make each check useful.
Your pre-trip checklist
Mail and packages
Decide whether visits should bring in mail and packages or whether you will pause delivery
Note where packages are usually left
Let me know if you are expecting anything important
Lights and window coverings
Choose which lights should be turned on or off during visits
Note any timers you already use
Decide whether blinds should be adjusted to look lived in
Plants
Group indoor plants together if that makes watering easier
Leave simple notes on how much water each one needs
Point out any plants that should not be watered
Thermostat and utilities
Note your preferred thermostat setting while you are away
Show where the water shutoff and breaker panel are, just in case
In winter, mention any pipes or rooms that tend to get cold
Trash and recycling
Share your pickup days
Decide whether bins should be put out and brought back in
Contacts and access
Leave an emergency contact and any trusted neighbor's number
Share alarm instructions and how keys or codes will be handled
Tell me about anything unusual, like a contractor visit or a delivery window
What a home presence check can cover
Each visit follows the instructions you set. Depending on your needs, a check can include bringing in mail and packages, rotating lights, watering plants, and a walk-through to look for obvious problems such as leaks, open doors or a thermostat that is not working. I send updates after visits so you know how things look.
Have pets after all?
If you have a cat, a dog or small animals at home, Drop-In Pet Visits can combine pet care with these same home tasks. For more on choosing the right type of care, see House Sitting vs. Drop-In Visits.
Trusted care for your home
I am Bonded & Insured, and I treat your home with the same care I would give your pets. I am also Fear Free Certified and Pet First Aid & CPR Trained for clients with pets.
Planning a trip?
Contact me with your travel dates and what you would like checked. Availability is confirmed during booking, and I will confirm whether your home is within my service area.
