Get your house ready for the holidays: exterior cleaning timeline

Every November my phone rings from homeowners who want the house to look great before family visits. Book early — my calendar tightens in mid-November.

3 weeks out:

• Book the wash
• Trim any branches near the house
• Clear gutters (or add to the service)

2 weeks out:

• Wash day
• Includes house, front porch, front walkway, driveway
• Hang holiday lights AFTER (clean surface = better tape adhesion)

1 week out:

• Quick touch-up: sweep walkways, remove leaves
• Final wipe on entry door and mailbox

Day of:

• Enjoy compliments

• Front porch clean and welcoming
• Driveway free of leaf tannin
• Windows rinsed (not full window clean, just a fresh water rinse)
• Front door clean and cobweb-free

Cobweb removal around eaves, porch corners, and outdoor light fixtures. Takes 15 minutes, dramatically improves the "someone lives here and cares" feel of a house at night.

I stop booking exterior work November 20th or so — after that, weather gets too unpredictable and cold. Get it on the calendar by early November for best pick.