ACT Home Watch is your partner for home care, maintenance, and security on your vacation home. We eliminate the worry and hassle of owning and managing your Pinellas County home from a distance.
Let me ask you this … if something happens at your home when you are away, how much time are you comfortable with passing before it is discovered? A small amount of water in a closed up home will produce a large amount of mold and mildew that is costly to clean up, and will do so very quickly. The pool filter stops working or the air conditioner breaks down. So many things can happen! The sooner they are discovered, the less the amount of damage.
Even if you have the water turned off during your absence, there are other things that can cause mold/mildew or water damage. In one instance, the seal around a window had dried out and caused the sprinkler right outside the window to leak water onto the window sill inside and onto the carpet. Mold everywhere by the time it was discovered. Another client left wet towels in the washer. Mold again. If your unit is on a lower floor, the unit above can leak and cause damage to your unit.
That said, half of our home watch clients have us check their homes once a week. Of the other half are biweekly. We have two clients that we do monthly.
There are many horror stories out there about home watch companies. Not showing up, using the client’s property, not really checking the water stations when they are there…so many stories I could tell you.
How do you know if we showed up for your scheduled visit? We travel with our laptop and digital camera. We complete a checklist report and email the report along with a dated photo to you. You’ll know we were there as scheduled and your home is okay!
We also encourage owners that have alarm systems to issue a code just for us so that they can easily check when we were there and how long. This assures you peace of mind!
We show up as scheduled and as promised!
With every inspection, you will have peace of mind knowing that these 29 Points are checked:
Interior Inspection Points:
✓ Doors/Windows: Check to assure all are secure, as well as, for forced entry damage and vandalism
✓ AC/Heater: Check air conditioner/heater for proper setting and operation (Electrical surges can reset electronic thermostats unless system is shut down).
✓ Water Leaks: Check for signs of obvious water leaks from interior sources (i.e. water heaters, washer hoses, ice maker, dishwasher, interior plumbing)
✓ Smoke Detectors: Check for proper operation
✓ Refrigerators/Freezers: Check proper operation (if left on) or mildew accumulation (if turned off)
✓ Dishwasher/Disposal: Run & check on short cycle and check the disposal by adding 1/4 cup of vegetable oil to lubricate parts
✓ Water Heater: Check water heater if client is absent for long periods. It is important to circulate water in the water heater by turning on faucets and other systems in the house to eliminate stale and unpleasant odor buildup
✓ Plumbing Check exposed plumbing areas for leaks
✓ Roof Leaks: Check all rooms for evidence of roof leaks including door & window frames (excluding attic)
✓ Electrical Service Panel: Check for tripped breakers caused by power surges or electrical shorts and reset the breaker.
✓(GFCI) Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter: Checked in kitchens and bathrooms.
✓Security: Lamps Check room lighting and change to a different room, upon owners request
✓ Condition/Cleanliness: Check for condition and cleanliness left by authorized guests or contractors, etc.
✓ Faucets: Check all faucets for operation in kitchens, bathrooms, utility and tub/showers
✓ Toilets: Check toilets (will be flushed to prevent dried gaskets, traps and bowl leaks). Close shut-off valves should the home be vacant for long periods.
✓ Pests/Insects/Rodents: Visually check for pests, insects and rodents
✓ Security: Check the security and functioning of door locks, dead bolts, alarm system checks and exterior lights
✓ Miscellaneous: Check for unusual odors or noises, out of place items, etc.
✓ Photograph Records: We keep a photographic record and hard copy inspection report of all visits to your home and generate an email report for each client
Exterior Inspection Points:
✓ Landscape Maintenance: Check for overgrown yard & flower beds, lawn damage, weeds, lack of water issues, tree branches, and drainage problems.
✓ Remove Solicited Materials: Check and remove all unwanted fliers, newspapers, phone books, junk mail and trash in yard
✓ Delivered Mail: Pick up delivered mail and leave inside the premises
✓ Water Leaks: Check for signs of obvious water leaks from exterior sources
✓ Faucets: Check all outside faucets
✓ Pool/Spa: Check for water level, discoloration, algae, trash, pool pump operation and filter screens
✓ Structure Inspection: Visually inspect from ground level: Roof, siding, fences & gates, rain gutters – damage or obvious buildup, exterior doors including storm doors, garage doors, windows & screens
✓ Pest/Rodent/Insects: Check for pest, rodent and insect infestations
✓ Bulkhead/Boat Lift: Visual inspection only
✓ Boat/Yacht: Dry Land Visual inspection only
The interior inspection also includes maintaining humidity levels, looking for evidence of insect or termite activity, and even collecting and forwarding first class mail. An email inspection report with photographs will be sent after each visit.
How do you know if we showed up for your scheduled visit? We travel with our laptop and digital camera. We complete a checklist report and email the report along with a dated photo to you. You’ll know we were there as scheduled and your home is okay! (The completed checklist for each home watch inspection is kept on file by ACT HomeWatch Services and is available for your review upon request.)
In the event a serious problem is detected requiring immediate attention, you will be notified by phone, text or email. We are here to assist you with resolving any issues promptly. Your home will be fully secured upon completion of each inspection.
We also offer the following optional services.
You can choose all or none.
That’s the beauty of our system.
Everything is customized to your needs and wants!
Concierge Services (Optional; mix and match):
♦ Do you rent your home out when you are not here? Do you have friends or family that use the home occasionally? We can open and close your home for your clients or guests and be their contact while they are here. We also offer short and long term property management at very reasonable rates.
♦ Have a vehicle sitting that needs to be started regularly? We will be happy to do that for you!
♦ Having your A/C or something else serviced and you can’t be there? We can let the vendor in, and lock up when they are done. Another option is to have someone stay while the workmen are there, if that makes you more comfortable.
♦ Having something shipped? You can have items sent to our business address and we will take them to your home during our next home inspection. This includes large items.
♦ Coming for a visit and would like your home stocked up? We can do that! We can stock your kitchen and have one of our excellent cleaners do a touch up for you if needed. Even put fresh flowers and snacks out if you like!
♦ Need it cleaned and closed up after you leave? Yes, we can do that….and more.
♦ Emergency preparedness: Should there be an emergency with your home, including one related to a hurricane/tropical storm or severe storm, a member of senior management is always available 24/7 to ensure you receive the highest level of service. We are here to assist you with resolving any issues promptly. You will be contacted immediately if there is an issue.