Own a home on Bonaire but live abroad? How to arrange maintenance remotely

Looking after a home on Bonaire while you live abroad is perfectly doable. You do need someone on the island, clear agreements about keys and budget, and a fixed way of staying informed. With photos on WhatsApp you see exactly what's happening.

I'm Andres, a plumber, electrician and handyman on Bonaire. Many owners of a home on Bonaire live in Europe or the US themselves. In this post you'll read how to arrange maintenance remotely the right way.

What can go wrong when nobody is looking?

An empty house doesn't suffer wear from use. But on Bonaire plenty happens with nobody home:

• A small leak runs for weeks and you only see it on the water bill.
• After a power outage the fridge is off or a breaker has tripped.
• Salt and dust build up on the AC outdoor units.
• The garden dries out when the irrigation breaks.
• After a heavy shower there's water inside, and nobody notices.

With a few fixed agreements you stop a small problem from becoming a big one.

How to arrange remote maintenance: 6 agreements

1. Someone on the island

You need someone on the island you trust who can come quickly. That can be a tradesperson, a property manager or someone from your own network. Agree who your first point of contact is, so there's no confusion when something goes wrong.

2. A clear key arrangement

Agree where the key is and who has access. For example with a trusted person or in a good key safe. Note which keys there are, including for the gate, the meter box and the breaker panel.

3. Budget agreements

Agree on an amount below which a job can be done without checking with you. Above that, you get a price first. That way a small repair gets solved straight away, and you decide on bigger spending yourself.

4. Communication via WhatsApp with photos

Ask for a photo before and after every job. A shared WhatsApp group with your tradesperson, property manager and maybe your partner works well. That way everyone has the same information.

5. Regular checks

Have the house checked regularly, for example every month or every quarter. Look at water, power, ACs, roof and garden. Use a fixed list for it, like this one: Maintenance checklist for your vacation rental on Bonaire

6. Leave the house properly

A house that's left properly gives fewer problems. Use the checklist below every time you leave.

Checklist when you leave

• Close the main water valve.
• Switch off the water heater.
• Unplug the TV, computer and other electronics.
• Switch off the ACs, or leave one running on a high setting if you've agreed that with your tradesperson.
• Empty the fridge or leave it on with a voltage protector. Read why: Power outage or brownout on Bonaire: how to protect your appliances
• Lock windows and doors properly and secure loose items outside.
• Leave the garden irrigation on, but agree that someone checks it.

Checklist when you return

• Open the main valve and check that nothing is leaking.
• Run the taps for a moment until the water is clear.
• Clean the AC filters before switching them on.
• Check that all breakers in the breaker panel are on.
• After a few days, do the meter test. Here's how: High water bill from WEB? How to find a leak

What can I do for you?

I can check your house, fix jobs and keep you updated on WhatsApp with photos. For gardening and cleaning just message me too: my wife does the cleaning and I arrange the rest. Bigger jobs I do together with my team.

I charge USD 25 per hour, with a minimum of 2 hours. An AC service costs USD 45 per AC. You always hear the cost first.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to give you a key? That's your choice. You can leave the key with me, with a trusted person or in a key safe. We agree on it together.

Can you check my house regularly? Yes, by arrangement. We agree how often and what I check. After every check you get photos.

How do I know what you've done? You get photos before and after, and a short explanation on WhatsApp. If more is needed, you hear the cost first.

What if something urgent happens, like a big leak? Then I first close the main valve to prevent damage, and then we discuss on WhatsApp what needs to be done.

I already have a property manager. Can you work with them? Yes. I'm happy to coordinate with your property manager, so everyone knows who does what.

Arrange remote maintenance?

Send me a WhatsApp with your neighbourhood, what kind of house it is and what you'd like arranged. Then we'll make a plan together. I work all over Bonaire.