Frequently Asked Questions
What is Home Watch?
The National Home Watch Association defines Home Watch as “The visual inspection of a vacant home
or property looking for obvious issues.”
Are you a house sitter service?
We are not house sitters. Our core service includes regularly scheduled visits to your home where we follow a specific and mutually agreed upon checklist. We are in your home for approximately an hour per visit and take great pride in making sure your home is as you left it for your return. House sitters are not looking to be caretakers. They are looking for a place to stay and get paid in a nice area with 24/7 access to everything in your home.
What type of reporting can I expect from you?
Safe Harbor 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. We use the latest reporting technology provided by HomeWatch IT, through email and or their state-of-the-art, user-friendly app.
We have a neighborhood watch program. Doesn’t that do the same thing?
Most neighborhood watch programs are passive by nature and do not provide the level of engagement with your property that Safe Harbor Home Watch provides. We will check your property’s interior and exterior in far more detail than you can expect from a neighborhood watch program.
Do you provide key holder services?
Absolutely! We can coordinate access to your property for any situation at an hourly rate. All we need is your notification of the date and time and any instructions you have.
If I need coordination with contractors doing work on my home can you help?
Safe Harbor Home Watch will provide access services and remain on-site for an hourly charge. We ask for at least 48 hours notification to schedule our personnel.
If you find a problem, what type of notification will I receive?
Safe Harbor Home Watch will send you a report upon completion of our visit to your home. Any problems identified will be accompanied by pictures and details of the problem. If we take any immediate action to prevent further damage we will contact you immediately to discuss what occurred and consider what course of action is needed for the repair.
What is Safe Harbor Home Watch?
Safe Harbor Home Watch is a professional, insured, bonded, and Nationally accredited Home Watch Service serving the Monmouth and Northern Ocean counties. We check your property and identify problems or potential problems that can occur while your property is vacant. We provide a physical presence that is not available through a remote alarm monitoring service. We can help with most requests you have by contacting us.
My alarm company provides security for my home. What value do you add?
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.
What are your credentials?
Safe Harbor Home Watch proudly displays the Accredited banner of the National Home Watch Association. We have been vetted and approved by this organization to insure we are bonded and insured for your protection. We also subscribe to the NHWA’s Code of Ethics and Best Business Practices. Safe Harbor Home Watch is fully insured, bonded, and accredited by the National Home Watch Association. We are a fully licensed business in the municipalities we serve.
Are your services expensive?
We think our services are reasonably priced for the value we provide. When you compare the possible damage due to a leak or damage by pests or storms with our cost, our services are an excellent value. We will be happy to discuss our pricing for home watch services and any additional services you may require at a free consultation.
Are you a property inspector?
While we check your property, we are NOT a property inspector. Property inspectors are usually involved in the sale of a property to do a detailed inspection of the structure, plumbing, electrical and heating, and air conditioning systems. Safe Harbor provides a visual inspection of your home or property looking for obvious issues.
Can you help me with home maintenance services?
We can gladly do general maintenance/handyman services, and if the job is above our expertise we can
refer you to quality contractors or vendors and coordinate access to your property.