BIRCH COVE BUILDERSAlways-on monitoring. Hands-on care.
We look after seasonal homes in northern Leelanau while you're away. A monitor watches your home's temperature around the clock, we stop by on your schedule and plow when it snows, and you get a report with photos after every visit.
Build your planOr call 231-432-0229.
- 24/7Temperature monitoring that alerts us right away if the house starts to cool.
- Every visitRecorded at your house with the date and time, then emailed to you with photos.
- Every stormYour drive plowed at the depth you choose.
What happens while you're away
- We set up a monitor. It reports your home's temperature around the clock and alerts us if anything changes.
- We stop by on your schedule. Every week, every other week, or only when an alert calls for it. When it snows, we plow at the depth you choose.
- You get a report after every visit. An email with what we checked, any notes, and photos, so you always know how the house is doing.
Hi Tom,
We stopped by the house today at 10:42 a.m. Outside, we made sure the doors and windows were secure and brought in the mail. Inside, we walked through every room, checked for leaks, and ran the water and flushed the toilets. We checked the heat and thermostat and the propane level.
Propane gauge, 10:42 a.m.
Always on, even when you're not here.
A small monitor in your house reports the temperature around the clock. If the house starts to cool, a cold snap pushes it toward freezing, or the heat stops working, we get an alert right away and go check on it.
What we check at every visit
Outside
- Doors and windows secure
- Roof, gutters and siding, for storm damage
- Mail and packages brought in
Inside
- A walk through every room
- Signs of leaks or water damage
- Water run and toilets flushed
- Signs of mice, mold or odors
Systems
- Heat and thermostat
- Propane level, with a photo of the gauge
Every visit is recorded at the house with the date and time, and your report follows by email.
Plowed at the depth you choose
Add salting, shoveled walks or roof snow raking to any plan. Plowing on its own is available too.
Start with a plan, then make it yours
Every plan includes always-on monitoring. Pick how often we visit and when we plow, or start from one of these.
Essentials
For a house that mostly needs watching
From $35 a month
Plus plowing and alert visits as needed
- Always-on monitoring
- A visit whenever an alert calls for one
- Plowing for emergency access
Standard
For most seasonal homes
From $135 a month
Plus plowing
- Always-on monitoring
- A house check every other week
- Plowing at 6 inches
Full Care
For when you want everything handled
From $235 a month
Plus plowing and shoveling
- Always-on monitoring
- A house check every week
- Plowing at 2–3 inches
- Shoveled walks
Each plan also has a one-time $300 setup for the monitor and a $50 start-up visit each fall. Plowing is billed each time we plow, since it depends on the snow. Need something in between? Choose your own mix in the form below.
Prices
Monitoring is a flat monthly price. Visits and plowing depend on the house and the driveway, so we set those rates after we see the property.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Always-on monitoringFor the months you want the house watched. A cellular connection, where available, costs extra. | $35 per month |
| Monitoring setupThe hub, three sensors and installation. Extra sensors are $60 each. | $300 one time |
| Fall start-up visitNew batteries, every sensor tested, and alerts confirmed before winter. | $50 each fall |
| Alert visitWhen an alert sends us to the house. Repairs are billed separately. | $50 during the workday$125 nights and weekends |
| House checkHomes outside our usual routes may cost more. | $50 per visit |
| House check with plowingA $50 house check plus plowing from $25, with $10 off the house check when we do both on the same trip. | From $65 per visit |
| Plowing only | From $25 per visitPriced by the length of your driveway |
| ExtrasSalting, shoveled walks, roof snow raking, and getting the house ready for your arrival. | Priced with your plan |
Neighbors save
If your house is close to other homes we look after, you get a lower rate on house checks and plowing. Bring your neighbors along and everyone pays less.
You get one invoice a month that lists every visit by date, so it matches the reports you received.
When something needs fixing, you already have a builder.
Caretaking is run by Stephen Hoskins, owner of Birch Cove Builders in Northport. When a visit turns up a leak, storm damage or a heating problem, we can make the repair or bring in the right trade, and keep you posted with photos until it's done.
Michigan Builder's License 262300327
Common questions
Does monitoring work if I turn off my internet?
Only with a cellular connection. The monitor normally reports over your home's internet, so it needs to stay on while you're away. If you'd rather turn your internet off, we may be able to connect the monitor over cellular instead, for an additional monthly fee. If the connection or power goes out, the monitor stops reporting, and we treat that as a reason to check on the house.
What happens when an alert goes off?
We get it right away, check on the house, and call you. If something needs fixing, we take care of it or bring in the right trade. Alert visits are $50 during the workday and $125 on nights and weekends, and repairs are billed separately.
Can I change my plan?
Yes, any time. Add visits during a cold stretch, or have us get the house ready before a trip up.
Where do you work?
Northport, Omena, Suttons Bay, Leland and Lake Leelanau. If you're nearby and not sure, ask.
Tell us about your house.
Choose what you'd like and we'll get back to you with a plan and pricing for your house. Every plan includes always-on monitoring.