Serving Collegeville & Surrounding Areas

Yard Care, Home Help & Pet Care You Can Trust

Your friendly neighborhood student task team

We're Alex and Vaughn — two neighbors who take real pride in helping families keep their homes and yards looking great.

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✓Free Estimates ✓Locally Owned ✓Response Within 24 Hours ✓Fully Personalized Service ✓Student-Run & Community Focused
Who We Are

Hello, We're A&V!

We're Alex Ottolini and Vaughn Rakowski, the students behind A&V Home, Yard & Pet Care. We handle the yard work, garden beds, and home tasks that pile up when you're busy or traveling, plus feeding, walking, and checking in on the pets you leave behind.

Our goal is dependable work, strong relationships, and a space you love coming home to. Every job is treated with real care and attention — because we live in this neighborhood too.

Why Work With Us

Your friendly neighborhood student task team

Alex Ottolini

Alex Ottolini

Co-founder · LaSalle College High School, Class of 2029
Vaughn Rakowski

Vaughn Rakowski

Co-founder · Spring-Ford Area High School, Class of 2029
  • Local student founders — your neighbors
  • Detail-focused, careful work every time
  • Built around lasting client relationships
✓ Free Estimates
✓ Fast Response
✓ Flexible Pricing
What We Offer

Services We Provide

We handle a wide range of yard and home tasks. Every job is a little different — reach out and we'll put together a custom quote.

🌱

Garden Care

Planting help, mulch refreshes, bed cleanups, weeding, and seasonal decor setup.

Starting at $40
🏠

Home Help

Organization help, small outdoor projects, yard cleanup, pet waste removal, leaf cleanup, watering plants, and seasonal snow shoveling.

Starting at $30 · Snow from $40

See photos from a recent yard cleanup →

🐾

Pet Care

Click anywhere in this box to see our full pricing breakdown →

Animal feeding, exercising, and overall caretaking — so your pets are happy even when you're away.

Starting at $15 / visit →

See pets we've cared for →

🏡

Home Watch Service

Click anywhere in this box to see our full pricing breakdown →

Property checks, package retrieval, plant watering, trash bins, and pool skimming while you're away — for weekends, vacations, or extended trips.

Starting at $15 / visit →
A note on pricing: Every job is a little different, so the prices above are just starting points. If you're interested, call or text either of us — we'll come by your house and give you a specific estimate at no cost. If pricing is a concern, let us know and we'll do our best to find a solution that works for both of us.
Travel With Confidence

Enjoy Your Vacation. We'll Watch Your Property.

Whether you're away for a weekend or several weeks, A&V Home, Yard & Pet Care provides reliable property checks, package retrieval, plant watering, pool skimming, and regular updates so you can travel with peace of mind.

🚶Exterior property walkthroughs
📦Package retrieval
🗑️Trash can placement & return
💧Plant watering
🏊Pool skimming
⛈️Storm damage checks
📸Photo updates sent to you
👀General property monitoring
Basic Check
$15 / visit
  • Exterior walkthrough
  • Package check
  • Plant watering
  • Photo update
Request This Plan
Vacation Plan
$30 / week
  • Two visits per week
  • Package retrieval
  • Plant watering
  • Trash can service
  • Photo updates
Request This Plan
Most Popular
Premium Home Watch
$65 / week
  • Up to 5 visits per week
  • Package retrieval
  • Mail retrieval
  • Plant watering
  • Trash can service
  • Storm checks
  • Detailed photo updates
Request This Plan

Recent Yard Transformation

Yard before cleanup Yard after cleanup Before After
⇔
Yard before cleanup Before
Yard after cleanup After

Complete yard cleanup including debris removal, leaf raking, and garden bed cleanup.

★★★★★

"I'm giving Vaughn and Alex two 👍👍 up! They did a great job raking all my yard debris, followed my directions and worked independently and are very courteous! I will be hiring them again!"

KP
Kathy Phillips

More From This Job

Garden bed before cleanup Before
Garden bed after cleanup After
Additional yard cleanup photo
Additional yard cleanup photo

Don't see a plan that fits your needs? Contact us for a custom quote.

Add-On Services

Available on any plan — just mention it when you book.

  • Pool skimming
  • Lawn watering
  • Seasonal snow / ice removal before you return
  • Video walkthrough upon request FREE
Contact Us Before Your Next Trip

Free custom quote — let us know your travel dates and we'll tailor a plan for you.

Common Questions

Home Watch FAQ

What areas do you serve?

We serve Collegeville and the surrounding areas. Not sure if you're in range? Reach out and we'll let you know right away.

How often can you check my property?

As often as you'd like — from a single check during a weekend trip to multiple visits per week for longer travel. We'll work out a schedule that fits your dates.

Will I receive updates?

Yes. Every visit includes a photo update sent directly to you, so you always know your property is being looked after.

Can you bring packages inside?

Yes, package retrieval is included in every plan. Just let us know where you'd like packages placed once they're brought in.

What if you find something wrong at my property?

We'll contact you immediately, send photos of what we found, and follow any instructions you've provided in advance. We'll never make decisions about your property without your input.

Happy Pets, Happy Homes

Your Pets, Cared For Like Family.

Whether you're gone for a few hours or a few weeks, A&V Home, Yard & Pet Care provides reliable feeding, exercise, and companionship for your pets — with regular updates so you always know they're in good hands.

🍽️Feeding & fresh water
🐕Walks & exercise
🧹Litter / cage cleanup
💊Medication administration
🎾Playtime & companionship
📸Photo & video updates
👀General pet monitoring
Basic Visit
$15 / visit
  • Let pet outside
  • Feeding & fresh water
  • Photo update
Request This Plan
Most Popular
Quick Walk
$20 / walk
  • One 30-minute walk
  • Fresh water
  • Photo update
Request This Plan
Daily Care Plan
$45 / day
  • Two visits per day
  • Let pet outside each visit
  • One 30-minute walk
  • Two full meals + fresh water each visit
  • Photo update
Request This Plan

Pets We've Cared For

Sanibel, a dog we cared for
Sanibel
Walked 5 days
Sheva, a dog we cared for
Sheva
Walked 5 days
Newest Review
★★★★★

"Alex and Vaughn are the best possible choice for help with your home, your yard, and your pets. They are extremely responsible, professional, conscientious, and prompt. They have already helped with our dogs and our yard, and I will not hesitate to hire them for other tasks. I always receive super-fast responses and top-quality work. If you need a couple hard-working young men who always go above and beyond, Alex and Vaughn are just what you're looking for."

MH
Michael Hernan
Add-On Services

Available on any plan — just ask when you book.

  • Brushing
  • Litter box change
  • Basic medication administration upon instruction FREE
  • Additional walks / playtime
  • Extra wellness checks
  • Photos / videos upon request FREE

Don't see a plan that fits your needs? Contact us for a custom quote.

Book Care for Your Pet

Free custom quote — tell us about your pet and schedule and we'll tailor a plan for you.

Common Questions

Pet Care FAQ

What types of pets do you care for?

We mainly care for dogs and cats, but may be able to accommodate other animals upon request. Reach out and let us know what you have and we'll let you know if we're a good fit.

How many visits will my pet get per day?

It depends on the plan and your pet's needs — anywhere from one visit a day with our Basic plan, up to two visits a day with our Daily Care Plan. We can also work out a custom schedule if needed.

Can you administer medication?

Yes, medicine administration is available as a free add-on with any plan. Just walk us through your pet's routine beforehand.

Will I receive updates about my pet?

Yes. Every visit includes a photo update so you can check in on your pet anytime. Videos are available upon request at no extra charge.

What happens if there's an emergency with my pet?

We'll contact you immediately and follow the emergency instructions you provide before service begins. We ask all clients to share a vet's contact info and an emergency contact prior to our first visit.

Good to Know

Common Questions

Who will be coming to my home?

Every service visit is performed by Alex, Vaughn, or both of us — no strangers, no subcontractors. You'll always know exactly who's showing up.

How quickly will you respond?

We typically respond within a few hours and never more than 24 hours. If you're reaching out about a time-sensitive request, feel free to call or text directly.

How do I pay?

We accept cash, Venmo, and check. Payment is due after the job is completed — we'll never ask for anything upfront.

Are you insured?

We're a local student-run business and are not currently insured. We take every job seriously, communicate clearly before work begins, and will always be upfront with you if anything goes wrong. If this is a concern for a specific job, just let us know and we're happy to talk through it.

Reach Out

Contact Us

Call, text, or email — we typically respond within a few hours and never more than 24 hours.

👤 Alex Ottolini

📞 Phone +1 (215) 459-7549
✉ Email [email protected]

👤 Vaughn Rakowski

📞 Phone +1 (610) 340-8169
✉ Email [email protected]
📍

Serving Collegeville & Surrounding Areas

We're your neighbors — local and close by.

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