Solutions Home Watch FAQ

A visual observation of a home or property looking for obvious issues.

On my visits, I will cycle the water, which includes brushing and flushing toilets, running water in sinks, tubs, and showers, keeping the drain traps wet so there are no smells or drain flies, checking for visible leaks, running the dishwasher and washing machine regularly.

I use my flashlight to look at ceilings, visible walls, and baseboards for signs of water or other damage. I am trained to identify irregularities and to catch a damaging situation in the early stages.

In a tropical climate like Florida, I will check the humidity level and, if it is over 50%, will adjust the thermostat so the AC operates properly to draw humidity out of the air. Please know that all procedures vary by climate, type of home, and equipment.

The frequency of Home Watch visits is vital to maintaining the condition of an unoccupied home. A Certified Home Watch Reporter™ offers flexible options, including 4–5 visits per month, 3 visits per month, or 2 visits per month. These monitoring intervals allow for the timely identification and resolution of issues such as water leaks, HVAC malfunctions, pest infestations, or weather-related damage, reducing the risk of costly problems.

A once-per-month visit is inadequate and reflects a lack of understanding about the risks unoccupied homes face. This infrequent schedule leaves properties vulnerable to significant issues that can develop and worsen within 30 days. Additionally, many homeowner insurance policies may require a specific frequency of visits to support a claim if damage occurs. A Certified Home Watch Reporter™ strongly recommends reviewing your insurance requirements and scheduling consistent, professional visits to protect your home and investment.

Home Watch is currently an unregulated industry, with no official license or mandatory requirements in place. However, you should expect at least a General Liability Insurance policy with a minimum of $1 million coverage and a $2 million aggregate. Additionally, ask if they carry Professional Liability insurance and any other relevant coverages to ensure comprehensive protection.

Some businesses that claim to have a license or advertise as such may actually be referring to their Business Tax Receipt, sometimes called a Business License. This is typically just a registration with the county or city where the business operates, purchased for a nominal fee. It is not a Home Watch License. In some cases, businesses may list licenses unrelated to Home Watch, which can be misleading, relying on homeowners not verifying their credentials.

Remember, just because a website states that a business is insured doesn’t mean it’s true. As a homeowner, it’s your right and responsibility to verify the credentials of all your service providers. Request their Certificate of Insurance (COI) and carefully review the business name, coverage amounts, and expiration date. When the current COI expires, ensure you receive an updated one. Protect yourself by staying informed and diligent!

Certified Home Watch Reporters™ featured in the Member Directory are committed to maintaining up-to-date credentials. This guarantees they uphold the highest standards in the industry, giving you confidence and peace of mind when choosing a professional for your Home Watch needs.

Every situation is unique, and I approach each one with care and professionalism. When a damaging situation arises, I troubleshoot to assess the issue and determine the most appropriate course of action. I ensure clear and timely communication with the homeowner or their designated person(s) to keep them informed every step of the way. If professional assistance is needed, I can help facilitate the homeowner's connection with their preferred service providers or guide them in finding qualified professionals. My priority is to support the homeowner in resolving issues promptly while ensuring their peace of mind.

Beware of Home Watch providers who claim to do "everything" themselves or take on work for which they are not properly trained, licensed, or insured. Even something as seemingly simple as hanging a ceiling fan or changing a toilet flapper may fall outside the scope of their handyman license, leaving you vulnerable to liability. Another red flag is when they rely on a relative or friend to perform work. Always ensure that any work done in your home is completed by qualified, licensed, and insured professionals to protect your investment.

Yes, we carry General Liability, Professional Liability (E & O), and we are Bonded.  

Professional Home Watch services typically start around $65 to $85 per visit, with costs increasing based on the size and complexity of the property. For larger estates and properties, visits may range from $150 to $300 or more. Additional concierge services, such as meeting vendors, shopping, or accepting deliveries, are usually billed per task or per hour.

Could you find less expensive options? Absolutely. But as with most things, the cheapest option often comes with compromises. True professional Home Watch providers are far more than someone who just “pops in” for a quick visit. They know what to look for, have the expertise to identify potential problems early, and maintain a network of trusted resources to address situations that arise.

Your Home Watcher will serve as your eyes and ears, your representative, your advocate, and perhaps even becomes a valued friend. Home Watch is not a commodity, and the decision should never be made solely based on price. Instead, choose a professional who provides reliability, trust, and a commitment to protecting your property.

Visits are conducted by the business owner or a designated professional, providing confidence that the property receives thorough attention. To maintain accuracy and accountability, many companies use software to document each visit. Every visit is recorded, offering the homeowner a detailed report. This written documentation is invaluable for peace of mind and can be essential if an insurance claim becomes necessary..

Many homeowners share frustrations about not knowing when their Home Watch provider makes visits. Some have returned after months away to find issues like a check left on the kitchen counter untouched, revealing no visits were made.

Homeowners: It’s crucial to remember that holding your Home Watch provider accountable is your responsibility. Excellent communication is the cornerstone of a reputable and professional Home Watch company. For many seasonal residents, hiring a small, one- or two-person Home Watch company is appealing because you are working directly with the business owner(s), who have a vested interest in providing exceptional service.

If you choose a larger company with employees, ask about their team member's training and credentials. Every visit report should be documented, ensuring a reliable and professional standard of care for your home.

While I cannot prevent everything from happening, my role is to perform a detailed visit and carefully observe your property. My goal is to identify irregularities or damaging situations in their early stages, addressing them promptly to help prevent costly disasters.

For many companies, it is considered best practice to conduct a Post-Departure Visit shortly after you leave to ensure everything is in order. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to accidentally leave a door unlocked, water running, the thermostat set incorrectly, or other things that could lead to problems if undetected. A Certified Home Watch Reporter™ also schedules a visit shortly before you return, often referred to as the “Murphy’s Law Visit,” to address any last-minute issues and ensure your home is ready for your arrival.

To be a member of the Home Watch Academy you need to take and pass their Home Watch Training Program and keep up with the yearly continuing education classes.  We are also a member of The National Home Watch Association and they offer similar designations in which we will enroll in later on this year. The Home Watch Academy and the NHWA also perform background checks on each member and verifies they have the correct insurance coverages for their home watch company.  This helps the home watch clients feel more confident in using any of their members because they are property credentialed and screened and insured.

While their is no license per say, there are organizations that offer certain Designations or Certifications by taking their classes and continuing education on a yearly basis. For example I have my Certificate to the Home Watch Training Program from the Home Watch Academy and am now a Certified Home Watch Reporter.

I encourage you to ask your insurance company if they have a requirement that if you are a seasonal or part time resident to your home do you need to have prof of a Home Watch Service in place on a regular basis to be insured with them?

Yes, it can happen from water damage or intrusion or humidity levels in your home or vehicles.  Growth can happen rapidly and anywhere there is water and humidity levels are high.

Immediately!  It spreads very fast and can be dangerous to your heath!

Please consult your insurance company on what they cover and don't cover when it comes to microbial growth.

There can be times where your window is impacted by flying debris.  You window can break under the right conditions.  Consult your window contractor and confirm if shutters or other protection should still be placed on your home for your protection.

While we can not put up shutters, we can guide you to the right companies to help you and facilitate the process to safeguard your home.  We can assist in removing minor patio furniture or other potential debris from your yard and secure them inside for you during our pre check of your home prior to the storm and put them back on our post check visit after the storm passes.  The services need to be arranged in advance and for an additional fee.

Yes, car drive services can be arranged for an additional fee as well as meeting car transporters before and after you leave.

In order to safe guard your home from potential water leaks or other water related issues we turn off the water to the home. We do turn it on while we are doing the home check to check all the appliances and run water and flush the commodes but then turn it back off when we leave at the end of the days visit.  The tank can not be on when the water to it is shut off or it can damage the water tank.

To be sure that in the event of a water pipe breaks, a sink is leaking or a toilet is running there is no damage to your home if the water is off and will also safe your pocket book from the potential high water bill. 

Yes, we like to thank each person that refers potential people to us.  If the person signs up with us and after their 5th home watch visit we will credit your account one home watch visit.

We love our seniors and our Military, Police, Fire or First Responders.  We offer a 10% discount on all of our services.

We are currently in the state of Florida and can also service Ohio as well.  We can put you in touch with other Home Watch companies in other states as well.

Solutions Home Watch serves the Parrish, Ellington, Palmetto, Sun City and greater North Manatee area, this also includes Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Bradenton and surrounding suburbs and all Del Webb communities.  Contact us to see if we can serve your specific location if it is not listed.