FAQ for Sarasota Home Watch Inc.

What is a Home Watch service?

A Home Watch service provides professional visual inspections of your property while you are away. We routinely check your property for signs of water leaks, microbial growth, humidity issues, storm damage, pest activity, vandalism, equipment failures, and other problems that can become expensive if left unnoticed. A good Home Watch service will also provide Concierge services, as needed.

Who should use Home Watch/Concierge services?

• Seasonal Residents/Snowbirds
• Vacation Homeowners
• Vacationers and Business Travelers
• Military Personnel
• Property Owners living out of state

If your home sits empty for more than a week or two at a time, regular home checks can identify and correct concerns before they become significant damage or costly repairs.

How often should my home be inspected?

We offer:

• Weekly home checks
• Biweekly home checks
• Custom schedules, as agreed upon
• Additional Concierge visits, as needed
• Pre- and post-storm visits, as needed

The right schedule depends on how long you'll be away, weather, insurance requirements, and the age of your home.

What happens during a Home Watch visit?

For each property, a detailed, customized checklist is created to suit your unique needs. Typical inspections include:

• Exterior inspection
• Check for storm damage
• Look for vandalism
• Check doors and windows
• Verify security systems
• Bring in mail and flyers
• Check landscaping
• Verify pool service
• Check HVAC operation
• Measure indoor humidity
• Inspect for water leaks
• Look for mold or microbial growth
• Check for pests
• Run plumbing and check for leaks
• Check refrigerator and freezer
• Check electrical panel
• Check water heater
• Reset clocks after power outages
• Check vehicles for flat tires, microbial growth, or expired registration
• Check battery maintainers on vehicles
• At the conclusion, we turn off the home's main water valve and add a photo

Why is humidity monitoring so important?

Florida's high humidity can quickly lead to microbial growth and other problems. We manage thermostat settings to help maintain appropriate indoor humidity. We include a photo of the thermostat in each report.

What tools do you use during inspections?

• High-powered flashlight
• Hygrometer
• Laser thermometer
• Moisture meter
• Digital reporting system with time stamp and GPS verification
• Photo documentation with every visit

These tools help us detect hidden problems that may not be visible during a casual walkthrough. They can confirm what our eyes, ears, and sense of smell detect.

Will I receive a report after each visit?

Yes. After every property check you'll receive a detailed digital report that includes:

• Your completed customized checklist with notes
• Photographs of relevant items
• GPS confirmation
• Date and time stamp
• Recommendations or repair referrals when needed

This provides complete documentation that your property was inspected, which may be beneficial in insurance claims.

What happens if you find a problem?

If we discover an issue, we notify you immediately. Depending on your instructions, we can:

• Coordinate with your preferred contractor
• Coordinate with our trusted partners
• Meet service providers at your home to oversee repairs
• Help mitigate additional damage until repairs are made

Do you inspect for water leaks?

Absolutely. Water damage is one of the most common and costly issues in unoccupied homes.

We visually scan for leaks, water stains and signs of moisture. We check:

• Ceilings, walls, floors and internal surfaces
• Underneath sinks and around toilet area
• Air conditioning systems
• Water heaters
• Refrigerator surroundings
• Washing machine surroundings
• Pool equipment
• Hose bibs

Do you inspect for microbial growth?

Yes. We look for visible signs of microbial growth and monitor humidity levels that contribute.

Can you check my air conditioning system?

Yes. During each visit we verify that your HVAC system is operating properly by checking:

• Thermostat settings
• Temperature and humidity
• Air conditioning equipment
• Air filter condition (filters can be replaced if requested)
• Electrical panel

We will adjust thermostats to reduce humidity, when appropriate.

Do you check my mailbox?

Yes. We can bring in mail, newspapers, flyers, door hangers, and advertisements that could indicate the home is unoccupied.

Can you check my vehicle?

Yes. If requested, we check vehicles for:

• Flat tires
• Microbial growth
• Battery maintainer
• Expired registration
• Visible damage

Will you check my pool and landscaping?

Yes. We verify that your lawn, landscaping, and pool maintenance companies are performing their scheduled services. We include photos of landscaping and pool water levels and clarity in each report.

Do you turn off the water when you leave?

Yes.  We shut off your home's main water valve after completing the inspection and include a photo in your report.

Can you customize my inspection checklist?

Absolutely. Every homeowner has different needs. We create a customized checklist for each property based on your specific requests.

Do you provide additional Concierge services?

Yes.  We will forward mail or packages, meet your contractors/vendors, or make special visits to check on things.  Just ask.

Do you arrange housecleaning?

Yes.  We have partnered with a highly rated professional cleaning service who takes care of many of our clients.

Why should I hire a professional Home Watch company instead of asking a neighbor?

A Professional Home Watch service provides:

• Consistent scheduled inspections
• Detailed digital reports with photos
• Use of appropriate inspection equipment
• GPS and time-stamp verification
• Early detection of suspected issues
• Experience identifying issues homeowners or casual home checkers often miss

We are insured, bonded, and professionally trained and certified. This is our full-time profession; we don’t skip visits because we have other plans.

How do I get started?

It’s easy and there is no pressure.  Contact us via our contact form, email Cheryl@SarasotaHomeWatchInc.com, or call or text 941-404-7464. Providing your address helps us determine if we service your area.  We'll discuss your needs, schedule a walkthrough, if desired, and then provide a Service Agreement to make it official. We then create your customized checklist and add you to the schedule whenever you’re ready. We can also get you on the schedule without a personal meeting or walkthrough if you are not available.