It’s the last week of October, which is when everyone in the Lakes Region suddenly remembers they own a furnace and a chimney. Do yourself a favor, right now. Go to May 20th, 2027 in your calendar and put a reminder in for your future self, “Call Chimney Guy for Cleaning/Repairs.” Next October, you can buy me a drink as thanks when everyone else is trying to get someone out next week and you’ve been sitting pretty all summer just waiting for that first crisp day to hit.
Every house up here comes with a second inheritance that nobody mentions at the closing: a list of phone numbers. You don’t get it handed to you. You build it the slow way. One tree decides to lie down across the driveway. One septic question you hoped you’d never have to ask. One neighbor says “Call Rick” in the tone that means the conversation is over.
This is ours. It’s the fall 2026 edition of the Trust List, updated from the one I first published last September, and it’s the bulk of this post. Scroll down whenever you like. Pin it, screenshot it, forward it to the person who just bought a house and doesn’t have a single useful number in their phone yet.
And, while it might be tempting not to share these names because we all know that a good handyman is worth his/her weight in gold…let’s be the kind of neighbors that share. I’ve gotten some of the best names on this list from a guy that someone recommended who is now too busy to take on new clients. The good ones know who else is good too, and they’ll help an up and coming young tradesperson build their own book of business when they do good work.
First, how it works.
How a name gets on this list
There are two ways. Either I’ve hired them myself, on my own property, and I have my own opinion about whether they showed up. Or someone I know and trust recommended them, someone whose judgment I’d stake my own fencing/kitchen reno/chimney sweep on.
That’s the whole system. Nobody gets on because they were the most-tagged name in a Facebook thread that began with “Who do you like for...” Those threads can tell you who is popular. They can’t tell you who showed up not just for a quote, but to actually finish the job.
So it’s crowdsourced, but slowly and on purpose. I update the list throughout the year as clients, friends, and readers tell me about the people who came through for them. Which brings me to you.
If you’re a regular reader, I want to hear who you trust. Who showed up on the day they said they would, finished the job, and sent a bill that resembled the estimate? Send me a message or reply to this email, and I’m happy to add them.
Then the other side of it. A list is also defined by who isn’t on it. Some names are missing from this one because I, or someone I trust, had an experience that went badly. I’m not printing those names here. But if you’ve had a negative experience, too, please tell me. That kind of information is worth more than any five-star review, and it keeps the next person from learning the hard way.
The List
Contractors & Builders
From a deck that finally faces the water to a full renovation, the difference between a good builder and a hopeful one tends to show up in the schedule. These are the ones I’d call.
Ricky Eaton, RW Eaton Construction, 603-651-6828
Dan Laurin, Dan Laurin Construction, 603-581-8680
Nick Laganas, Carroll County Construction, 603-986-0369
Dana Frenette, 603-731-6556
General Handyman
Oh, the unicorn of all home-based needs. Please, if you have a handyman who does great work, comes when they say they will, and then returns to finish the job, let me know.
Nick Heaton, 603-729-7252
Electricians
Electrical work is not where anyone should cut a corner. These are the people I’d call for new lighting, a service upgrade, or the flickering that nobody can explain.
Ridings Electric, 603-651-9017
At Your Service Electric, Rob Vachon, 603-832-3345
Painters
Like handymen, there are many who exist and few who deliver, in my experience. Here’s who friends and clients have recommended.
Peter Cavanagh Painting LLC, 603-832-8092
Patrick Cotter, 603-455-7063
Plumbers & Septic Services
A leaky faucet, a new water heater, a septic system that needs to be quietly and regularly looked after. These people know our local water systems well, which matters more than you’d think until the day it does.
Sgt. Smiths Drain Cleaning, Mike Smith, (207) 432-9378
Mal’s Plumbing and Heating, 603-569-1643
Rasco Plumbing and Heating, Rick Rasco, 603-300-3488
DJ’s Septic Pumping Services Inc., 603-569-0500
Lakes Region Septic Service, 603-522-6246
Mike McKenna Septic Service, 603-312-3879
Tree Care Professionals
The trees are half the reason we live here, and every so often they let us know they have opinions. From storm cleanup to the careful, preventative kind of work, these are the people who keep a property standing.
Bartlett Tree Experts, 603-569-3163
Eldridge Logging and Tree Removal, 603-340-3934
Lovering Tree Care, 603-569-0569
Huckins Trees, Josh Huckins, 603-496-1374
Lawncare & Landscaping
Curb appeal matters whether you’re selling or simply enjoying the view from your own porch. This group keeps yards healthy and tidy, and in a couple of cases handles considerably more than grass.
Community Landscape Co, 603-569-6424
Shamrock, 603-569-6960
Step Above Property Maintenance, 603-948-6093
Quality Pump & Irrigation/Sprinkler Systems, Gerald Hyslop, 603-832-6514
Burke Land Clearing, Aidan Burke, 781-690-4578
Good Neighbor Fence, Jason Bergen, 603-323-7551
Zack Rogers (also does snow removal), 603-229-8900
Home Burner & HVAC Maintenance
New Hampshire winters are long, and a heating system is not something to think about for the first time in January. Call now. These are the people who keep burners running safely and efficiently.
AJ’s Independent Heating Plus, 603-630-1111
Troy Glidden Heating Plus, 603-986-9349
Tim Flosum, 603-986-7086
Darren Smith, 603-515-1106
Building & Home Inspectors
If you’re buying or selling, an inspection is where the house tells you the truth. These inspectors are thorough, professional, and clear in their reporting, which is all you want at that stage.
Summit Home Inspection, Jenna, 603-892-8600
On the Level Home Inspections, Todd, 603-998-3544
For the Family (Pets Included)
A bit of a catch-all: the services that keep a household, and its four-legged members, running, growing, and presentable.
RX Computers of Rochester, Robert Tarket, 603-335-0800
Veterinary Urgent Care, Dr. Amanda Flagg, 603-301-0270
Winter Harbor Vet, 603-569-3777
Sarah’s Courteous Canines (dog training), 603-986-3919
Lakes Region Dog Grooming (mobile), Melissa Rojeck, 603-425-8709
Bed and Biscuit Dog Daycare, 603-550-3180
Simplicity with Style Hair Studio, 603-409-4633
Salon 94, Julian, 603-515-1106
Waters Edge Hair Salon, Page, 603-515-1070
Why I keep this list
Buying a house is only half of it. The other half is building a life around it, and that takes a circle of people who will answer the phone when the pipes, the trees, or the furnace have other plans. I’d rather you didn’t have to find them the slow way.
If you’re thinking through what home means next, I’m always happy to talk. Even if you’re just thinking out loud. And if this made you think of someone who just bought up here and doesn’t know who to call yet, send it their way.
Here’s to the people who show up when they said they would.
🧭 Jenn
Keys to the Lakes
