How the Home Saver Kit Got Its Start

December 5, 2025 Richard Koenig

How the Home Saver Kit Got Its Start

By Rick, Founder of Home Saver Kit

Back in 2008, I wasn’t trying to start a business.

I was just trying to help out a few friends and family. I’d been a general contractor for decades, and one thing I noticed over and over was how few homeowners actually knew where their gas, water, or electrical shutoffs were, or how to use them in an emergency.

So, I sat down one weekend, drew out a simple laminated map, made a few tags, and put together the first “kits” by hand. Nothing fancy, just some practical tools and instructions so anyone in the house could act fast if something went wrong. I installed a dozen of those early versions for neighbors and family members, and honestly, I didn’t think much more of it at first.

Then the phone calls started coming. Folks told me how much peace of mind it gave them, how their kids knew what to do, and how something that used to feel overwhelming suddenly felt simple.

One friend said, “Rick, you ought to make these for everyone.”

That stuck with me. I realized being prepared didn’t have to be complicated, it just needed to be clear, easy, and accessible for every household.

Today's Home Saver Kit is the same simple idea I started with years ago, just refined to help more families stay safe, calm, and ready. Because, when it really counts, you shouldn’t have to guess what to do.

That’s how the Home Saver Utility Shutoff Kit was born.

About Home Saver Kit

Home Saver Kit is a simple, low-tech preparedness system designed to help homeowners quickly locate, label, and shut off their water, gas, and electricity during an emergency. Built for real-life situations — not theory — the kit provides clear, physical guidance that works even during power outages, helping families act fast and limit costly damage.

Home Saver Kit was created by Richard “Rick” Koenig, a licensed general contractor with over 48 years of hands-on experience in residential and commercial construction. Throughout his career, Rick has responded to hundreds of emergency situations and repeatedly saw preventable damage escalate simply because homeowners didn’t know where their shutoff valves were or how to use them.

His practical, field-tested approach to preparedness is rooted in decades of real-world problem solving, community involvement, and a commitment to helping homeowners protect what matters most.