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FAQ
Questions families ask us.
If yours isn’t here, join the waitlist and add it in the notes. We read every one.
What if my parent doesn’t want help?
That’s common, and we take it seriously. We position Porchlight as help with the house, not help with your parent. The first visit is a friendly walkthrough your parent leads, and they decide what we do. Many families start with something concrete, like the fall faucet shutoff or swapping a hard-to-reach bulb, and build from there. You’re welcome to be there.
Who comes to the house?
A background-checked, insured Porchlight team member. While we’re getting started, that’s often Autumn, our founder. We’ll always tell you and your parent who to expect before a visit.
How do keys and access work?
Your parent can be home to let us in, or you can share a lockbox or door code. We never make copies of keys, and every visit is logged in your text update with the time we arrived and left.
Can I be there for the first visit?
Yes, and we encourage it, in person or by video call. It’s a good chance for everyone to meet and agree on what matters most.
What happens if you find something urgent?
If something is unsafe, like a gas smell or an active leak, we call you right away and contact the utility or 911 if needed. Then we text a summary with photos. Smaller issues go in your regular visit update.
What’s included in a visit, and what costs extra?
Anything on our services list fits in a visit, up to 60 minutes. Before each visit we ask what you’d like looked at, so we arrive ready. We lift and carry items up to 40 lbs that one person can handle safely; furniture moving isn’t something we offer. Lawn mowing, snow removal and extra visits are add-ons. Repairs that need a licensed pro, like plumbing or electrical, are quoted and billed by that pro. We help find them and can be there when they come.
Can my siblings and I share this?
Yes. We can text visit updates to several family members, so everyone sees the same photos and notes. If you’d like to split the cost between siblings, ask us when you join and we’ll work it out with you.
Can I pause or cancel?
Monthly plans can be paused or canceled anytime before the next billing date. Yearly plans renew automatically, and we remind you 30 days before.
Do you help with bathing, medications or driving?
No. Porchlight is a home upkeep service, not a home care agency. If your parent needs personal care, we’re happy to point you to licensed local providers.
My parent lives outside your service areas. Can you still help?
Not yet, but join the waitlist and tell us their town. We use waitlist interest to decide where to grow next.