Basic watch package
Check visits every 2–4 weeks through the winter, plus extra visits after storms and heavy snow. I look for leaks, mice, damp, damage and heating faults, and take in the post. You get a written report with photos the same day.
Your caretaker in Småland & Skåne
Someone local keeping an eye on your Swedish holiday home
I’m Andy, based in Skånes Fagerhult. While you’re back home in Denmark, Germany or further afield, I check your house regularly, send you a written report with photos the same day, and come out by the next working day if something’s wrong.
- Within about 80 kmof Skånes Fagerhult
- Photo reportsthe same day as every visit
- Next working dayon site when something’s wrong
- English · Dansk · Deutsch · Nederlandsmost contact in writing
What I do
Everything a good local caretaker does — done properly, and written down.
Opening and closing
In autumn I drain the water, set frost-protection heating and check for anything that could freeze. In spring I turn the water back on, check for leaks and start the heat pump.
Key holding
I let in the chimney sweep, plumber or electrician, and take in deliveries, so you don’t have to drive up for a half-hour job. Keys are labelled with a code, never the address, and every use is logged.
Small jobs
Minor repairs, plus finding and supervising local tradespeople for bigger work — someone on the spot who speaks Swedish.
I don’t do cleaning myself, but I can put you in touch with a reliable local cleaner.
Optional extra: know what’s happening between visits
Once you know me, I can install a small monitoring kit. Other caretakers in the area don’t offer this, and it works alongside any alarm you already have.
Frost, damp and heating alerts
Temperature and humidity sensors warn both of us if the heating fails, the house gets cold or damp starts to build.
Power-cut alerts
A small battery backup keeps the system running, so we hear about a power cut straight away — and keep getting readings for hours.
Remote heat control
Turn the heat pump up before you arrive and down when you leave, from your phone.
Automatic water shut-off
For houses that keep the water on in winter: a leak sensor triggers a motor on your existing valve and shuts the water off. No plumbing changes.
Storm-proof backup
Within reach of my own LoRa radio network, alerts still get through when the power and the mobile network are both down.
Still on an old SIM thermostat?
2G and 3G are being switched off in Sweden, and Telia’s 2G network ends in 2027. Many older GSM thermostats will simply stop working.
“You and I both get an alert immediately. A leak shuts off the water automatically. I’m on site by the next working day at the latest. For acute emergencies, call your insurer’s 24-hour line.”
How it works
Get in touch
Email me where the house is and what you’d like help with.
We meet at the house
We walk round together, or on a video call, and agree what to check. I collect a set of keys.
Visits and reports
I visit on a regular route day and send a written report with photos after every visit.
When something’s wrong
I tell you straight away, sort out what I can, and arrange a tradesperson if needed.
Where I work
Distances are measured from Skånes Fagerhult, in the north of Skåne close to the Småland and Halland borders. Visits are grouped into route days, so one drive covers several houses — which keeps prices down.
Up to about 40 km
Markaryd, Strömsnäsbruk, Traryd, Hinneryd, Örkelljunga, Knäred, Hishult, Osby, Lönsboda
Travel included
About 40–80 km
Älmhult, Diö, Ljungby, Tingsryd, Laholm, Hässleholm
+150–250 SEK per visit
80 km and beyond
By arrangement — for package customers, or as a quoted job.
Just ask
Prices
Simple prices, including 25% Swedish VAT. Work on property in Sweden carries Swedish VAT, wherever the owner lives.
| Service | Price (incl. VAT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Check visit, zone 1 | 450 SEK | Written report with photos; travel included |
| Opening or closing the house | 900–1,500 SEK | Depends on house size and water system |
| Basic watch package, Nov–Mar | 3,500–4,500 SEK | A visit every 2 weeks, storm checks, written reports |
| Monitoring kit, installed | Hardware at cost + 1,500 SEK | One-off; hardware is typically 4,000–6,000 SEK |
| Monitoring subscription | 200–300 SEK/month | Alerts, app, remote heat control; 4G SIM included |
| Callout after an alert | 500 SEK | Next working day at the latest |
| Small jobs | 450 SEK/hour | Materials extra |
Prices are a guide; you’ll get a fixed price for your house before we start. No lock-in: one month’s notice on either side. Packages are paid in advance, subscriptions monthly or yearly.
New this winter — founding customers wanted. StugaWatch is a new service, and I’d rather say so up front: I’m still smoothing out the details. So the first 10 houses to book a winter watch package get their spring opening free (worth 900–1,500 SEK), as thanks for their patience and honest feedback.
Questions
Does this replace my alarm?
No. A burglar alarm responds to break-ins, not to a dead heat pump or a slow leak. I’m the local person who checks the house and actually goes and fixes things, and the monitoring works alongside any alarm you already have.
Is there a contract?
A short written agreement setting out what’s included. Either of us can end it with one month’s notice. No lock-in.
Is it a guarantee against damage?
Nobody can honestly promise that. Visits and monitoring reduce the risk and catch problems early. You keep your own home insurance, and for acute emergencies you call your insurer’s 24-hour line.
How are my keys kept?
In a locked key cabinet, labelled with a code and never with your address. Every use is logged, and you get the keys back when the agreement ends.
What happens to my data?
Sensor data is used only to run the service and is never shared. You can ask for it to be deleted at any time.
Who’s behind StugaWatch?
StugaWatch is run by Andy at Hancocks IT, a registered Swedish business in Skånes Fagerhult. The monitoring runs on Home Assistant through my own platform, vome.io.
Get in touch
Tell me where your house is and what you’d like help with. I’ll reply in writing — in English, Danish, German or Dutch.
Email me- Emailhello@stugawatch.com
- Based inSkånes Fagerhult, Sweden
- LanguagesEnglish · Dansk · Deutsch · Nederlands