Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from homeowners in Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and Sarasota.
Understanding Home Watch
For homeowners new to the concept.
What exactly is a home watch service?
A home watch service is a professional, scheduled inspection of your property while you're away. We walk through your home — inside and out — looking for issues like water leaks, AC failures, pest intrusion, storm damage, and security concerns. After every visit, you receive a detailed report with time-stamped photos so you know exactly what's happening at your property. Think of it as having a trusted set of eyes on your home when you can't be there yourself.
Do I really need someone checking on my home while I'm away?
In Florida? Yes. Our climate is unforgiving to unoccupied homes. An AC unit can fail and produce visible mold in as little as 48 hours. A slow plumbing leak can cause thousands in water damage in a week. Pests can establish colonies in days when there's no human activity. And since Hurricane Ian, many insurance carriers require damage to be reported within 14 days — if no one's checking, you could miss that window and lose coverage on a claim. A weekly visit catches these problems when they're still small and fixable.
What can actually go wrong with an empty house in Florida?
More than most people expect. The most common issues we see are AC failures leading to mold and humidity damage, water leaks from aging plumbing or appliance lines, pest infestations (rodents, insects, even snakes), storm damage that goes unnoticed for weeks, and security vulnerabilities like unlocked doors or broken screens. Florida's heat, humidity, and storm season are hard on empty homes. Most of these problems are minor if caught early — and expensive if they're not.
My neighbor said they'd keep an eye on my place. Isn't that enough?
We hear this one a lot, and we appreciate the spirit behind it — good neighbors are invaluable. But there's a difference between someone glancing at your house from the street and a trained professional walking through every room with a checklist. Your neighbor probably isn't checking under sinks for slow leaks, reading your humidity levels, flushing every toilet to prevent dry traps, or documenting everything with GPS-stamped photos. They're also not bonded or insured, so if something goes wrong on their watch — or in your home while they're inside — there's no coverage. We've seen friendships strained over exactly this situation. A professional service protects your home and your relationships.
I have a security system. Why would I need home watch too?
Security systems are great at what they do — monitoring entry points and fire. But they don't detect a slow water leak under your kitchen sink, mold growing behind your bathroom wall, a pest infestation in your attic, or a pool pump that's burned out. Those are the problems that cause the most expensive damage in Florida homes, and an alarm system won't catch a single one of them. Home watch and security systems complement each other — one protects against break-ins, the other protects against everything else.
What's Included
What you actually get when you hire us.
What do you check during a visit?
Every visit follows our inspection checklist, inside and out. Inside: HVAC and humidity levels, running all faucets and flushing toilets to check for leaks and prevent dry traps, inspecting under sinks and around appliances for water damage, checking ceilings and walls, verifying the refrigerator and freezer, testing the garage door, and checking the breaker panel. Outside: we walk the full perimeter — roof line, gutters, pool and equipment, lanai screens, landscaping, irrigation, and any signs of pest or rodent activity. We also collect mail, remove flyers, and make sure the place doesn't look empty.
How often should my home be checked?
We recommend weekly visits. In Florida's climate, a lot can change in seven days — an AC failure mid-summer can produce mold in 48 hours, and a plumbing leak can cause significant damage in under a week. Bi-weekly visits are available, but we don't offer monthly service because 30 days between visits is simply too long given our heat and humidity. Many insurance policies also have reporting windows that monthly visits wouldn't satisfy.
What kind of report do I get after each visit?
After every visit, you receive a detailed digital report with GPS-verified location data, time and date stamps, and photos documenting the condition of your home. If we find an issue, it's documented with photos and a description of what we observed and what we recommend. These reports aren't just for your peace of mind — they're documentation that insurance companies accept and increasingly require for claims processing.
Do you offer concierge services?
Yes. On top of our regular home watch visits, we can coordinate with vendors and contractors, receive packages, hold keys for guests or service providers, prep your home before you arrive, and collect mail. If you have a specific need, just ask — if we can help, we will.
What happens if you find a problem during a visit?
It depends on the severity. For minor issues, we document it in your report with photos and recommendations. For urgent problems — like a water leak, AC failure, or security concern — we take immediate steps to prevent further damage and contact you right away. If you're unreachable, we'll coordinate with your pre-authorized service providers to address the issue. You're never left in the dark. Our goal is to catch problems when they're small and inexpensive to fix, not after they've become emergencies.
Can you check on my home before and after a hurricane?
Absolutely — and we strongly recommend it. Before a storm, we can document the pre-storm condition of your property, verify that shutters or storm protection are in place, and secure any loose items. After the storm passes and it's safe to do so, we perform a thorough assessment and send you a detailed damage report with photos. This documentation is critical for insurance claims. Since Hurricane Ian, insurance companies have tightened their reporting requirements — having professional, time-stamped documentation can make the difference between a claim being accepted or denied.
Getting Started
Everything you need to know to move forward.
How much does home watch service cost?
Pricing depends on your property type, size, and the services you need. A condo will cost less than a large single-family home with a pool and extensive landscaping. We don't believe in one-size-fits-all pricing — every home is different, and your plan should reflect that. We're happy to provide a personalized quote after a brief consultation. Give us a call or fill out our contact form and we'll walk you through the options.
How do I get started?
It starts with a free consultation. We'll visit your property, walk through the home together, discuss your specific needs and concerns, and put together a customized plan. There's no pressure and no obligation — we want you to feel confident that we're the right fit before you commit. From there, we handle the rest. Call us, email us, or fill out the form on our website and we'll schedule your consultation.
Do I need to sign a contract?
We'll discuss service terms during your consultation. Our priority is making sure you're comfortable with the arrangement and that your home is protected. We want to earn your trust through our work, not lock you into something that doesn't feel right.
What areas do you serve?
We serve homeowners throughout Florida's Suncoast, including Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key, and Parrish. Steven has lived in Esplanade Golf & Country Club since 2014, so we know these communities inside and out — the specific challenges of each neighborhood, the local vendors to trust, and the climate issues that affect properties in this area.
What are your credentials?
We are bonded and insured. Steven has over 30 years in the home and construction industry — management and project management roles where he learned to spot problems before they get expensive. We treat every home we visit the same way we treat our own.
Does home watch help with insurance claims?
Yes, and most people don't think about this until they need it. Our GPS-verified, time-stamped photo reports create a paper trail of your property's condition over time. If you ever file an insurance claim for storm damage, water intrusion, or another covered event, this documentation gives your insurer exactly what they ask for. Several carriers now require proof that vacant properties are being regularly checked, and our reports cover that.