Frequently asked questions

What exactly does a CheckMate do?

Your CheckMate is your personal home-care partner. They carry out scheduled home inspections, help you stay on top of maintenance, coordinate trusted trades when you need work done, and keep a digital log-book of your home. Their job is to make owning a home easier, safer and far less stressful. We encourage you to keep a notebook and send your CheckMate a photo of anything you have noted between visits you would like done. This is so your CheckMate can prepare before the inspection and fix many issues then and there. Your CheckMate will resolve many minor issues during visits that helps with the long term care of your home with no additional charges.

Do I have to use CheckMate’s trades?

No. You are always free to use your own tradespeople. Many clients already have family or long-term tradies they trust.
Your CheckMate simply offers the option for coordination and can help describe the job correctly so you avoid unnecessary call-outs and extra costs.

Can my existing trades be added to your trusted network?

Yes! If you already have someone great — a plumber, sparky, handyman, cleaner, or gardener — your CheckMate can add them to your home’s file.
If they impress us, we’ll gladly add them to our wider trusted-trade list so everyone benefits.

What if I don’t get along with my assigned CheckMate?

No problem. We want you to feel comfortable with who’s in your home. If the match isn’t right, we’ll assign someone else.
Likewise, if a CheckMate feels a client isn’t a good fit, we may recommend a different arrangement. Transparency and respect works both ways.

What if my CheckMate finds an issue — will I be forced to fix it?

Not at all. You’re always in full control.
Your CheckMate will let you know what they find, explain the options, and tell you whether it’s urgent or something you can leave for later.
You choose what gets done, who does it, and when.

What if an issue is urgent or unsafe?

If something poses a safety risk (like exposed wiring, water leaks, or structural concerns), your CheckMate will let you know immediately and recommend next steps.
But you still choose how the issue is handled — we simply make sure you’re informed and supported.

What does the digital home log-book include?

Your home gets its own digital file containing appliance details, warranty information, paint colours, maintenance history, and future reminders.
It means nothing gets forgotten, and trades can quote faster and more accurately — saving you money.

Is the first inspection really only $99?

Yes, currently— that’s our welcome offer for new clients (and seniors get the same $99 offer when they join for 12 months). The first inspection includes a full home check and setup of your digital home log-book.

What happens during an inspection?

Your CheckMate looks over the entire property, inside and out. They note maintenance issues, safety concerns, upcoming tasks, warranty items, appliance details, and general home health.
You’ll receive a clear report — including work completed, items needing attention, and recommended next checks.

Can I request extra work outside the scheduled inspections?

Yes. You can ask your CheckMate to organise extra jobs any time — from small fixes to specialist trade work.
Subscription clients are treated as priority bookings.

Do you cover house cleaning, gardening or lawn mowing?

Yes. These can be set up as regular services if you’d like them. Your CheckMate will arrange reliable people and ensure the work gets done properly.

Do you service my area?

We currently service the Mornington Peninsula and South-East suburbs of Melbourne.
If you’re outside this area, contact us — we are expanding and may be able to help.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. There are no lock-in contracts. You can cancel at any time before your next inspection.

Who are the CheckMates?

CheckMates are local people with practical skills — often semi-retired trades, handymen, gardeners or people who love helping others. They’re friendly, reliable and selected for their character as much as their ability.

How does CheckMate save me money?

Because you avoid unnecessary call-outs.
Your CheckMate describes the job properly, gathers photos and details, and ensures the tradie knows exactly what’s required.
This stops the “tradie comes out three times at $100/hr” problem before it happens. Your CheckMate also gets the right trade for the job. Many people don't realise that 'Jim the Handyman' who is $40 an hour but will spend all day doing something he is really isn't suited for, will work out much more expensive than getting the right trade in for $90 an hour. Plus, Jim's job isn't going to be as good as the right person!

What if I only want a one-off handyman job?

We offer one-off handyman services too. Subscription clients receive priority, but we’re happy to help casual clients if we have availability.

Case Studies

The Cheap Quote That Became Expensive

A homeowner needed extra laundry storage.
Jim the Handyman quoted $40/hr and promised he could “whip something up cheaply.”
Two weeks later, after countless trips to Bunnings, modifications, and re-fitting mistakes, the bill came to $3,500 — and the cupboards looked homemade.

 

Another homeowner asked their CheckMate.
The CheckMate organised a professional cabinetmaker who measured properly, made custom shelves, and installed them in under half a day.
The final bill was $2,000, and it looked like it came straight out of a new-build display home.

The $900 Leak That Didn’t Happen

Margaret, 74, noticed a musty smell in her laundry but didn’t think much of it.
During her scheduled inspection, her CheckMate spotted a tiny split in the washing machine hose — the kind that can burst at any moment and flood a room.

Her CheckMate:

  • Took photos

  • Replaced the hose during the visit

  • Cleaned up behind the machine

  • Logged everything in her digital home file

Cost: $35 for the hose.
Potential damage avoided: $900–$2,500 in water damage, swollen cabinetry, ruined flooring, mould, and emergency call-out fees.

Margaret’s words:

“I would never have seen that. That alone makes the service worth it.”

The Rental Property That Stopped Bleeding Money

A property investor had a long list of “little issues” they’d been ignoring — a stiff sliding door, a leaking tap, the oven light out, missing smoke alarm batteries, and a fence panel hanging on by a nail.

They signed up for CheckMate.
Their CheckMate visited the rental before the next tenants moved in and sorted everything:

  • Adjusted the sliding door

  • Replaced the tap seal

  • Installed new smoke alarm batteries

  • Tidied up the fence

  • Coordinated a sparky for the oven light

Cost: A few hundred dollars in total.
Result:
No more tenant complaints, no emergency call-outs, and the property is now “quiet” — the investor said it's the first time in 2 years they’ve had zero maintenance texts.

 

The Busy Family Who Got Their Weekends Back

A family of five had a never-ending to-do list:

  • Blown globes

  • Rusty door hinges

  • Cracked grout

  • Squeaky garage door

  • Blocked gutter over the kids’ rooms

Every weekend was “house jobs day” — until they got a CheckMate.

Their CheckMate split the list into:

  • Items they could fix immediately

  • Items a trade should handle

  • Future reminders logged into the digital home file

Within one month, the house felt brand new again.
The family said:

“This is the first Sunday in years we’ve done nothing — and loved it.”

The Airbnb Host Who Finally Got Control

A local Airbnb owner constantly lost time and money from last-minute fixes between guest stays.

Issues included:

  • Broken blind chains

  • Loose toilet seat

  • Missing light globes

  • Fridge door not sealing properly

  • Garden looking messy after storms

Their CheckMate created a simple plan:

  • Quarterly full inspections

  • Pre-guest check when needed

  • Trades coordinated only when required

  • Before/after photos every time

Outcome:
Bookings increased, reviews mentioned “immaculate maintenance,” and problems were solved before guests ever noticed.

The Couple Who Stopped Arguing Over House Jobs (and Saved a Divorce)

Sarah and Mark had been together 18 years.
They loved each other — but the house jobs were becoming a battleground.

Every weekend sounded like this:
“Can you fix the gate?”
“I will.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
Repeat for six months.

The list grew:

  • Loose towel rail

  • Flickering kitchen light

  • Dripping tap in the ensuite

  • Worn weather seal on the front door

  • Gutter overflowing every time it rained

Mark felt nagged.
Sarah felt ignored.
Both felt frustrated.

Then they joined CheckMate.

Their CheckMate came out, did a full inspection, and said:
“Leave it with me. I’ll sort the lot.”

In one afternoon, the CheckMate:

  • Fixed the towel rail

  • Replaced the light

  • Re-seated the tap washer

  • Installed a new weather seal

  • Cleaned the gutter line and documented a future fix

  • Logged everything into their digital home file

  • Set reminders, so they never had to argue about it again

Sarah’s feedback:

“We didn’t realise how much stress those jobs were causing. CheckMate hasn’t just improved the house — it’s improved our marriage.”

Mark’s feedback:

“Best decision we’ve made. No more lists stuck to the fridge.”

Outcome:
A calmer home, a happier relationship, and house jobs handled without the tension, nagging, guilt, or forgotten promises.