There is a common mistake DFW owners make with a weekend property: assuming the lake place is 'low maintenance because we are barely there.' It is not. Less foot traffic means more deferred maintenance — algae sets in faster on a deck nobody walks, fence lines vine over when nobody is there to notice, and the lawn doesn't care whether you are at the property or in Plano. Here is the realistic monthly rhythm we run for absentee owners.
January–February: inspect, plan, lock in dates
Winter is when you scope the year. We do a January walk on every absentee-owner account, check dock hardware, photograph any winter damage, and confirm the visit calendar for the rest of the year. Cost: included in the standing plan, no extra visit fee.
March: pre-pollen pressure wash
The single highest-impact visit of the year. We pressure wash drive, dock, patio, deck before pollen drops in early April. Skip this and you spend the summer with green-tinged hardscape that ruins photos of the place.
April–May: first mows + dock prep
Weekly mowing kicks in. Dock cleaning #2 lands the week before Memorial Day so the property is guest-ready. If you rent it, this is the visit your guests notice.
June–August: hold the standard
Weekly mow, bi-weekly inside reset if you have a recurring cleaning plan, fire-ant treatment as mounds appear, irrigation adjustment for Texas heat. We send photo summaries every visit so you know the property is on rhythm without driving out.
September–October: fall reset
Second pressure wash on dock + patio after the summer algae cycle. Aeration on lake-lot lawns. Leaf removal kicks off mid-October.
November–December: winterize and close out
Final leaf passes, irrigation winterization, dock hardware inspection, and one last deep clean before the holidays. Most DFW owners come out for Thanksgiving or Christmas — we make sure the place is ready.
If you want a number for your specific property, the plan page takes 90 seconds and you see the price before we see your phone.