Holiday Home Maintenance in Crete

Caretaker, Plumber and Electrician for Your Second Home in Crete

Owning a holiday home in Crete is wonderful, until you are a few thousand kilometres away and a neighbour sends a message that water is running down your terrace. Most second home owners and investors I work for live in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK or elsewhere in Europe. They visit a few times a year, sometimes rent the house out in between, and worry about what happens while nobody is there.

The worries are always similar. Will the house be damp and musty when we arrive? Did the winter storms damage the roof or the shutters? Is the solar water heater still working, did the pump survive, is the fridge still running? And if something breaks, who do I call, and can I trust them to go into my house?

I am Gino, a Belgian-certified plumber, electrician and heating & cooling technician with over 20 years of experience, living in Hersonissos. For holiday home owners I act as the trusted pair of hands on the island. I check the house, report back with photos, open it before you arrive, close it properly when you leave and fix what needs fixing myself, in English or Dutch. You can read the service details on my property maintenance page, but this page is about what it means for you as an owner.

What I do for holiday home owners

Property maintenance and checks: scheduled visits while you are away, with a short photo report so you know everything is fine.
Solar water heaters: a tank left alone for months can leak or scale up, I check it so you have hot water on day one.
Water pumps: pressure pumps that stand still all winter often fail at the first shower, I test them before you come.
A/C service: units are cleaned and tested before the season, so the house is cool when you or your guests arrive.
Leak detection: an unnoticed leak in an empty house can do a lot of damage, I trace it quickly and report back.
Roof waterproofing: flat roofs take a beating from winter rain and summer sun, I check and seal them before problems reach the ceiling.
Damp and mould: closed houses get musty, I advise on airing, ventilation and dehumidifying so the house smells fresh again.
Doors, windows and shutters: storm damage, stuck locks and broken shutters repaired so the house stays secure.
CCTV and alarms: cameras and alarms you can check from your phone, for extra peace of mind when nobody is there.
Pressure cleaning: terraces, pool surrounds and outdoor furniture cleaned before the season starts.

Don't see your job in this list? Contact me with your question: if it is in or around the house, I can most likely help.

How I look after your holiday home

We start with a visit together, or a video call if you are abroad, and agree on what you want: how often I check the house, what I look at and how you want to be informed. You leave a key in a secure key box, so I can get in without anyone having to meet me.

Checks while you are away, more often after storms and heavy rain
Photo report on WhatsApp after every visit
Small problems fixed on the spot, bigger ones after your approval
Clear invoice with what was done and why

Because I am a plumber, electrician and HVAC technician myself, I do not need to call in someone else for most problems. That saves time, and you deal with one person you know.

A typical year for a second home

In spring I open the house: water back on, pump and water heater tested, A/C cleaned, shutters and doors checked, terrace cleaned. Before you or your first guests arrive, I can do a final round so beds can be made in a house that works. During summer I am on call if something breaks while you are there or while guests are staying.

In autumn I close the house properly: water off where needed, appliances switched off or left on as agreed, outdoor furniture stored, and a last look at the roof and gutters. In winter, especially after heavy rain or strong wind, I drive past and check for leaks, damp and storm damage, then send you the photos.

Owners who rent out their house

If you rent out your holiday home a few weeks a year, I can be the person guests or your local contact call when the A/C stops or the hot water runs out. For larger portfolios and professional managers, see maintenance for property managers. My service area covers the Heraklion region and parts of Lasithi and Rethymno, see my service area.

Core Services I Provide

From urgent repairs to complete installations. Don't see the exact service you need? Reach out. If it's in or around the house, I can do it.

Plumbing

Leaks, blocked drains, water heaters, solar boilers, pumps and complete bathroom installations.

More about Plumbing

Electrical

Safe, compliant wiring, fuse box upgrades, lighting, smart home, solar PV and fault finding.

More about Electrical

Heating & Cooling

Air conditioning installation, service and repair, heat pumps, central and underfloor heating, boilers and stoves.

More about Heating & Cooling

Handyman

Painting, carpentry, plastering, tiling, roof waterproofing and holiday home maintenance.

More about Handyman

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you check my holiday home in Crete while I am abroad?

Yes. We agree how often I visit, and after every check I send you photos and a short note on WhatsApp so you know the state of the house.

How do you get access to the house?

Most owners leave a key in a secure key box at the property. That way I can get in for checks and repairs without anyone having to be there.

Can you open the house before we arrive?

Yes. I turn the water back on, test the pump and water heater, clean and test the A/C and check that everything works, so you arrive in a house that is ready.

What happens after a storm?

After heavy rain or strong wind I go and check the roof, terraces, shutters and inside of the house for leaks or damage, and I let you know with photos what I found.

Do you repair things yourself or send someone else?

I am a certified plumber, electrician and heating and cooling technician, so most repairs I do myself. For anything bigger I first send you an estimate and wait for your approval.

Can you also help when guests are staying in my house?

Yes, if something breaks during a stay, guests or your local contact can call me and I will come as soon as I can.

I Also Work For

Homeowners & Relocators Property Managers & Landlords Hotels, Villas & Rental Complexes Businesses, Shops & Restaurants Builders, Architects & Estate Agents