Home & property
A Greenwich house can look settled and still be hard to run: nobody remembers the water shutoff, the beach-card plan depends on an old rule, the contractor is texting about permits, and rain is already in the forecast.
Pick the mess in front of you. Then save the proof before the next service call, storm, guest weekend, or renovation meeting.
First fix
Spend one lap through the house with your phone: water shutoffs, electrical panels, sump or drainage trouble spots, generator notes, alarm or gate basics, waste area, attic and basement access, and the room where a contractor will ask who worked on it last.
Check twice: Save photos, account numbers, and service contacts before the first storm or leak forces the issue.
First fix
Before design taste takes over, write down the permit path, inspections, license status, insurance certificate, utility conflicts, drainage or wetland concerns, tree questions, and who owns change orders.
Check twice: Keep the Town or license-check link beside the quote. A polished proposal is not enough.
First fix
Check beach, ferry, guest, parking, alarm, gate, trash, service access, pool, irrigation, outdoor lighting, and caregiver instructions while there is still time to fix the awkward parts.
Check twice: Do the Town rule check before promising Tod’s Point, an island ferry, or guest parking.
First fix
Treat the property as address-specific. Open Town, utility, and qualified-professional sources before assuming a neighbor’s project, drainage fix, or contractor shortcut applies to your lot.
Check twice: This guide helps you keep track of questions. It is not a permit opinion, engineering call, insurance answer, or contractor recommendation.
A good Greenwich homeowner system is less about memorizing every rule and more about keeping the right proof in one place. This is useful if the property has older systems, drainage questions, trees, shoreline or wetland sensitivity, a generator, pool, irrigation, or frequent guest/caregiver access.
| When | Who owns it | Open first | Ask for / confirm | Save in the house file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First week | You or property manager | Town, Assessor, Tax Collector, Waste & Recycling | Account numbers, parcel/tax records, pickup or disposal rules, emergency contacts | Closing packet, deed/parcel notes, tax account link, waste routine, utility contacts |
| Before project calls | Homeowner + contractor | Building Inspection, Planning & Zoning, Public Works, CT eLicense | Written scope, permit responsibility, license status where relevant, insurance certificate, change-order process | Proposal, license screenshot/date, insurance COI, permits, inspection signoffs, photos before work begins |
| Before spring scheduling | Homeowner + service providers | Public Works / drainage, utility sites, licensed trades where relevant | Drainage or storm concern notes, HVAC/generator/irrigation/pool schedule, tree or exterior-work questions | Service dates, warranties, serial numbers, before/after photos, provider emergency line |
| Before summer guests | Household lead | Passes & Tickets, Beaches & Boating, Ferry Service where relevant | Current beach, guest, ferry, parking, vehicle, and caregiver assumptions checked directly with the Town | Guest note: parking, alarm/gate basics, trash location, beach/ferry links, emergency contacts |
| Before storm season | Household lead + utility/provider contacts | Eversource, Aquarion if applicable, Town alerts and Public Works starting points | Outage reporting path, generator/service status, sump/drainage observations, access plan if away | Shutoff locations, outage links, medicines/pets note, contractor contacts, recent photos of vulnerable areas |
Works best if
Use it when you are new to the house, planning a project, hiring seasonal help, preparing for guests, or trying to make a property-manager handoff less dependent on memory.
Check twice if
Shoreline, wetlands, steep slopes, drainage trouble, large trees, older structures, private roads, septic/well questions, or unusually complex systems deserve direct Town, utility, and qualified-professional checks.
Set up utilities, learn waste and recycling rules, save non-emergency Town contacts, understand where property records and tax information live, and start a maintenance calendar before something breaks.
If the property is near water, wetlands, steep slopes, older structures, or major trees, do not assume ordinary projects are ordinary in permitting terms.
Building Inspection, Planning & Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Health, and Public Works may all matter depending on the project. Confirm requirements early.
For contractors, ask who is responsible for permits, inspections, insurance certificates, and written change orders.
Greenwich homes often need seasonal planning: gutters, drainage, leaf removal, snow, generator service, HVAC, irrigation, pool opening/closing, tree work, and storm readiness.
Large lots, shoreline homes, and older houses can have different maintenance burdens.
Use CT license lookup where relevant, ask for insurance, references, scope, timeline, warranty, and who handles permits. Ask how any provider was selected, whether payment influenced placement, and what licensing or insurance checks you still need to do yourself.
This is not a contractor list or permit opinion. It is a yearly rhythm for seasonal tasks that are easier to handle before peak scheduling windows: drainage, trees, HVAC, generator service, pool and irrigation timing, guest access, beach rules, trash routines, storms, and inspections.
Start with license checks where relevant, proof of insurance, references, written scope, permit responsibility, timeline, warranty, and recent local project experience.
Possibly. Check with Town departments and licensed professionals before starting work.
The Greenwich Weekend List
A short local email with weekend events, dinner ideas, kid-friendly stops, beach and park reminders, and a few Greenwich notes to check before you leave the house.
