Home Watch Services
Leaving your home for any length of time shouldn’t be stressful. Let Vermont Home Watch be your eyes and ears to help protect your long-term investment when your home is unoccupied for any length of time. Our objective is to make sure that when you return home, it’s in the same condition as you left it. Our services help promote peace of mind in your absence.
Vermont Home Watch will visit your home on a scheduled basis to conduct a multi-point visual inspection of the exterior and interior of your home looking for obvious issues, and will email you a detailed Home Watch report. We recommend that home watch visits be weekly or bi-weekly, as extensive damage can happen to a home in a short amount of time.
Standard Home Watch Inspection Services
Our visual home inspection is based on best practices from the National Home Watch Association of which we are an accredited member, and includes the following checks. Please know that this standard list is completely customizable based on your individual needs.
Exterior (includes but is not limited to):
- Remove junk mail and flyers from mailbox and front door
- Bring in mail or packages
- Check driveway, walkway, gates
- Check that snow removal is occurring as expected
- Check exterior doors and windows for signs of break-in
- Check yard and planting beds for trash
- Check landscaping for obvious issues
- Perform visual inspection of siding, roof and gutters for obvious issues
- Inspect for vandalism or forced entry
- Check for pest or rodent damage, including bird or insect nests
- Check fuel tanks and record the level of fuel
- Check exterior lighting
- Check other structures or separate buildings
- Check pool/spa for obvious issues
- Check for irrigation or drainage issues
Interior (includes but is not limited to):
- Check that security system is functioning properly
- Check that all doors and windows are secure
- Check smoke & carbon monoxide alarms
- Check temperature/humidity settings on thermostats
- Check for vandalism
- Inspect for obvious pest presence or insect infestation
- Check for signs of water leaks, moisture or mold
- Run water in sinks and baths, including checking under sinks for leaks
- Flush stagnant water in toilets
- Run garbage disposal
- Check for open bags of food that can attract bugs
- Check appliances including refrigerator, freezers and beverage coolers
- Check lights and fans
- Check electrical service panel for tripped breakers
- Check water heater is working as expected
- Check that heating system and A/C are working as expected
- Inspect air filter(s)
- Check timers on lights
- Add salt to water softener (if applicable)
- Check radon fan (if applicable)
- Check sump pump (if applicable)
- Check garage spaces (if applicable)
- Start stored vehicles (if applicable)
- Check car battery chargers
Home Watch Report
Following the Home Watch visit, we’ll email you a Home Watch Report that will show everything that was checked, including findings, observations, and photos from the home at the time of the Home Watch Inspection.
The report will include:
-
- Service date
- Service type (standard home watch visit or opening/closing prep)
- Client’s name and address, including GPS
- Document the conditions upon arrival
- A list of items we checked
- Inform you of any issues that should be addressed
- Inform you of any emergency issues or anything that requires immediate attention
Home Watch Report
Following the Home Watch visit, we’ll email you a Home Watch Report that will show everything that was checked, including findings, observations, and photos from the home at the time of the Home Watch Inspection.
The report will include:
-
- Service date
- Service type (standard home watch visit or opening/closing prep)
- Client’s name and address, including GPS
- Document the conditions upon arrival
- A list of items we checked
- Inform you of any issues that should be addressed
- Inform you of any emergency issues or anything that requires immediate attention
Emergency Situation
If there is an emergency that we discover, we will secure the home to prevent additional damage, will call the relevant local authorities, will contact the homeowner, and will remain at the home as needed. We will document everything that’s relevant to the emergency, including a timeline of events for your insurance claim. Be sure to contact us for more about our emergency protocol.
Vendors and Contractors
When issues arise that require further evaluation by a qualified tradesman or service technician, Vermont Home Watch is available to provide access to the home. We’ll let the homeowner know once the work has been completed, and will include photos and/or video documentation.