Five Tips to Get Your Cottage Ready for the Summer

As the warmer weather shows us that it’s here to stay, cottagers begin to flock to their home away from home and get it ready for summer. However, any cottage owner knows that opening up for the season is not as easy as some might think. After a few months away and plenty of winter weather, the property is going to need some TLC both inside and out to have it guest-ready. 

While every retreat is different depending on the surroundings, such as on the lake or in the middle of the forest, here are some tips that will help get any cottage ready for summer.

Plan Before the First Visit

If you need professionals to turn on things like your gas lines, ensure you have scheduled them to do so before you get there. When you are packing up before the drive, include linens, toiletries, and other items you plan to leave there throughout the season. Do a quick shopping trip for pantry essentials that can last a long time in the cupboards before expiring. Bring a tool kit for easy repairs and a first aid kit in case of small emergencies. Before you head out, don’t forget any sets of keys you might need to get into gates, doors, or sheds.

Perform a Complete Perimeter Walkaround

After you’ve arrived, one of the first things you should do is inspect the outdoors. Compile a list of anything that needs immediate attention, such as a downed tree. Afterwards, head inside and inspect for damage. If you think you will need professional repair help, review your cottage insurance coverage to see if it can take care of the costs. It’s likely that you already have a checklist of things you want to get done, so this walkthrough will help to focus your efforts to get started on what is most important.

Have a Cleaning Strategy

All the chores that need to be done won’t be finished in a day, or perhaps even a weekend. Write out cleaning tasks for both the outside and the inside, like raking leaves and cleaning the eavestroughs, scrubbing the floors, and washing the curtains. Assign each task an estimated amount of time to complete, and plan your day accordingly. Have each family member choose a chore they can get done solo, and come together on projects that need more than one set of hands to be completed. The whole place can then be cleaned up in very little time, enabling you to kick back and enjoy it to the fullest in safety and comfort!

Test Your Utilities

If you’ve had a professional turn on your utilities, they have likely inspected these systems to verify that they’re working properly. If you are turning them back on yourself, this job falls to you. Test out your HVAC system so you can plan for any maintenance or repairs. Take extra precautions when testing wall plugs or electrical components, especially if you suspect pest or water damage. Turn on all the taps and flush the toilet to ensure everything is running smoothly. Replace the batteries in things like flashlights and smoke detectors as well, as they could have become corroded over the winter.

Verify Your Insurance

Having cottage insurance coverage is not only important to protect the property in case of damage, but also for the people who are staying there. The specifics of how you use this property including the location, size, and risk level will all play a factor in your policy. Furthermore, if you are planning to rent out the space, you will need to let your insurer know, as some policies will not cover renters. 

At Tanner Insurance, we provide our clients with solutions that suit their unique cottage needs. Our policies are customized for each property, and we make the process of understanding what and who is covered both easy, and affordable. Contact us for your free quote or to learn more about our insurance options.