As the frost thaws and the days lengthen, the buzz of reopening your cottage for spring is undeniable. However, this excitement also brings the responsibility of ensuring your seasonal home is ready for the fun ahead. With years of real estate wisdom and stories from the field, here’s your essential guide to a smooth and enjoyable cottage opening.
1. Inspect and Clean
Start by inspecting for any damage caused by winter. Check the roof, windows, and foundation, and clean out all gutters to prevent water issues.
Real-Life Lesson: I once helped a client who overlooked their gutter cleaning, resulting in extensive water damage to freshly painted walls—an expensive and entirely preventable fix.
2. Safety First
Ensure all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers are working properly and are easily accessible.
Safety Story: A small kitchen accident revealed a family’s smoke detector was out of batteries. A simple check can prevent major disasters.
3. Plumbing Priorities
Reconnect any winterized plumbing and check for leaks. Don’t forget to restart your hot water heater.
Plumbing Problem: A burst pipe due to a missed leak during their initial check flooded a couple’s basement on their first weekend back, causing unnecessary stress and expense.
4. Appliance Audit
Check that all appliances are clean and operational, especially your HVAC system.
Appliance Anecdote: A client discovered their fridge had malfunctioned over the winter, leading to an unwelcome mess. Regular checks are essential.
5. Deep Clean
Thoroughly clean your cottage from top to bottom—wash windows, sweep floors, and freshen up all fabrics.
Cleaning Caution: One family skipped the deep clean, leading to a hidden mould issue from winter moisture.
6. Stock Supplies
Make sure you have all the essentials stocked, from cleaning products to pantry staples.
Stocking Story: Arriving late without basics like toilet paper can turn a relaxing weekend into an inconvenient scramble 🤣.
7. Update Your Decor
Refresh your cottage’s look with new decor items like throw pillows or curtains to enhance the ambiance.
Decor Disaster: Outdated, musty furnishings once detracted from the charm of a lakeside retreat, showing the importance of interior updates.
8. Landscaping and Exterior
Clean your property’s exterior, set out outdoor furniture, and update your lighting for the perfect evening setting.
Landscaping Lesson: Overgrown paths and unkempt yards can spoil the first impressions of a spring getaway.
9. Pest Control
Inspect and repair any screens and seal gaps to keep unwelcome pests out.
Pest Problem: A small hole in a screen allowed a mouse invasion, turning what was meant to be a relaxing retreat into a stressful extermination effort.
10. Check Watercraft Equipment and Supplies
Before diving into Muskoka’s beloved watersports season, ensure all motorboats and related equipment are in prime condition. Inspect boats for mechanical integrity, verify that life jackets and safety equipment are accessible and in good condition, and check that all watersports gear, such as skis, wakeboards, and fishing rods, is ready for action.
Boating Blunder: Last season, a family eagerly launched their boat without a pre-season check, only to discover engine troubles and a lack of safety gear onboard. This cut their day short and underscored the importance of thorough preparations for safe and enjoyable water activities.
Wrapping It Up
Proper preparation of your cottage can mean the difference between a season of relaxation and a season of unexpected repairs. Follow these steps for a seamless start to spring.
Do you need more cottage prep tips, or are you looking to buy or sell? Contact me, your local Muskoka Realtor®, and let’s “Be where you want to be!”
Contact Information, Parry Sound
👩🏻💼 Shirlene Johnston
📲 705-774-1144
Contact Information, Muskoka
👩🏻💼 Lisa Selvage
📞 705-644-9277
