HOME WATCH BASICS
WE ARE VIGILANT!
Our primary objective is to be your trustworthy and knowledgeable advocate while you are away. We are discreet and client confidentiality is paramount.
Getting Started With Home Watch
The basic home watch inspection services includes an initial assessment of the home with a visual inspection from ground level for readily visible and obvious significant safety hazards, damage or needed maintenance or repairs, including:
- Landscaping
- Roof, rain gutters and drainage
- Exterior wall cladding and eaves
- Foundation
- Decks and lanais
- Sectional garage doors
- Doors and windows
- Interior floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets and stairs
- Appliances
- Plumbing fixtures and drains
- Water heater
- Breaker panels, receptacles and light fixtures
- Fuel tanks
- AC system
- Pool and spa
- Moisture or mold issues
- Pests
Regularly Scheduled Home Watch Inspections
After the initial assessment, we produce a report with photos that detail areas that need prompt evaluation or repair as well as develop a checklist of suggested regularly scheduled or routine maintenance needs. Subsequent inspections include the following:
- Remove junk mail, flyers, newspapers, and other indications of an unoccupied home
- Review of the exterior and interior for new damage or needed maintenance and repairs.
- Checking that the tasks on the maintenance or repair checklist are being performed.
- Check for visual indications of trespassing, vandalism, break-ins or squatters.
- Check that all doors and windows are properly secured to minimize the chance of break-ins.
- Check for visual indications of water leaks or damage and for visual indications of mold or other organic growth
- Check for visual indications of current pest activity
- (If present) Check the A/C system is functioning properly
- Check appliances for basic functionality
- Operate faucets, sink, and toilets
- Check electric panel for tripped breakers
- Checking that the tasks on the maintenance or repair checklist are being performed.
- We immediately inform you of significant damages or urgent repairs
We use state-of-the-art inspection software. Click HERE to view a sample report.
Concierge Services
We have several other services available that can be packaged with the basic home watch plan on an as-needed basis that can be conducted during our regularly scheduled inspections or on different days that are subject to availability of third parties and ourselves.
- Pre and post guest arrival inspections
- Pre and post storm inspections
- Key holder and emergency contact services
Pre and Post Guest Visits
Pre-Arrival:
Exterior: Visually inspect the roof, gutters, yard, and landscaping from the ground for damages and safe conditions.
Interior: Inspect to ensure the home is in a safe and habitable condition. Check for any signs of damage caused by weather, water leaks, pests, vandalism, or other causes.
After Departure:
Exterior: Inspect to ensure there is no damage and account for all outdoor furniture and recreational items.
Interior: Inspect to ensure there is no damage and that the home is properly locked up and secured.
Storm Preparation and Inspections
We assist homeowners to develop a procedure to deal with hurricanes or other extreme weather events.
After a storm, we will inspect your property as promptly as possible. The exterior and interior will be inspected to identify any potential damage, including checking for flooding, leaks, or water damage. We can coordinate service providers to perform any repairs or maintenance needs identified during post-storm inspections.
Keyholder Service
We can coordinate access to your property and provide a physical presence Monday — Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM at an hourly rate independent of the regularly scheduled visits. This can include supervision of contractors and documentation of completed tasks. Holidays, weekends, and after hours subject to staff availability. We need the date and time to open the home and any instructions you have at least 48 hours in advance.
Emergency Point of Contact
You can designate Vigilant Home Watch as a first responder contact for your security agency or the police. We can also support the response of a neighbor or friend in the event of an emergency or if police or rescue are dispatched to your home. We can provide emergency access to your home and assist in evaluating any necessary action to complete the process and reset the alarm. Emergency hourly rates will apply.
- Emergency contact and key holder services; facilitating service providers access to your home for urgent issues, repairs or maintenance projects
- Contractor and service provider supervision
- Project and repair completion documentation
Fees and Billing:
We will be happy to do a free consultation with you at the property to discuss the home watch services and any additional services you may require. Labor and material costs are very expensive in Hawaii. Regularly scheduled inspections and preventative maintenance can greatly reduce the chances of needing unexpected and costly repairs. Our services are excellent value.
No two properties are alike. The monthly fee for the basic home watch service are based on several factors including the frequency of inspections and the size, location and condition of the home. After our initial assessment we will email you a proposal and the service contract. We bill monthly. We offer discounts for two year basic service plans.
Additional services are billed at an hourly rate and may include email and phone time on behalf of the homeowner to coordinate service providers. Additional visits to the property that are not a part of the regularly scheduled visits will also be billed at an hourly rate.
We operate efficiently as possible and will not waste your time or money.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following frequently asked questions should provide some clarity however if your questions are not answered here, please write it down and we can discuss it during in-home consultation. Effective communication is vital and ensuring all your questions or concerns are addressed is important to us!
We are a professional, insured, bonded, and accredited Home Watch company serving the Hawaiian islands. Unlike remote alarm monitoring services or surveillance cameras, we provide a physical presence that enhances security. Our services include thorough property checks to identify and address current or potential maintenance and repair issues while the home is vacant. Feel free to reach out with any requests you may have; we're here to assist you.
The National Home Watch Association defines Home Watch as "Home Watch is defined as a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues." Keep in mind that issues may not be so obvious if someone is not looking for them at all.
We are not house sitters. Our core service is periodic visits to your home based on a specific checklist developed for your home. Every visit we methodically work through the checklist to make sure no new problems have developed. House sitters do not specialize in home watch services.
Bonding helps protect you against acts of theft or fraud. A legitimate company has liability insurance to protect you if damages or injuries occur while we are on your property.
Vigilant Home Watch will send you a detailed report by email with pictures of any problems identified upon completion of inspecting the interior and exterior of your home. Reports are prepared after every inspection.
Vigilant Home Watch will provide access and remain on-site for an hourly charge. We ask for at least 48 hours notifice when possible to schedule our staff.
Upon completing our visit to your home, Vigilant Home Watch will promptly send you a detailed report. This report includes pictures and specific details of any issues identified. If immediate action is needed to mitigate further damage, we will contact you immediately to discuss the situation and determine the necessary steps for repair.
Vigilant Home Watch does not provide home maintenance services however we can give you referrals to licensed contractors or vendors and coordinate access to your property.
An alarm company monitors entry into your home or a fire alarm but they do not monitor potential problems that can occur due to broken pipes, mold, pests or vagrants. We identify those problems or the possibility of their occurrence and notify you for guidance.
We have been vetted and approved by this organization to insure we are upstanding, professional, bonded and insured for your protection. We also subscribe to the NHWA's Code of Ethics.
Absolutely! We can coordinate access to your property for any situation at an hourly rate. We request at least 48 hour notice of the date and time and any instructions you have.
Almost everything is expensive in Hawaii however we believe we offer exceptional value when you compare the cost of repairs that likely could have been avoided with regularly scheduled inspections and preventative maintenance.
We will be happy to discuss our pricing for home watch services and any additional services you may require at a free consultation at your property.
The home watch service is not the same as a professional home inspection. There are some obvious similarities, however the overall objectives are different. A home inspection is typically a 1-time focused collection of multiple data points and evaluation of the major components of a home versus the broader but less intensive regularly scheduled home watch inspections that focuses on normal and readily apparent or obvious maintenance and repair issues.
Many of the tasks performed by home watch professionals are outside the scope of a home inspection. The sister company to Vigilant Home Watch Hawaii, Kauai Home Inspection Services (KHIS), performs professional home inspections by experienced and nationally certified inspectors. Click HERE to contact KHIS if a complete home inspection is needed.
No, many of the duties of a traditional property manager fall under the definition of real estate activity, including leasing and management of real estate for a fee, negotiating lease terms, and handling security deposits and rental receipts. We do not provide these services or directly manage rental or investment properties. Home Watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues.