FAQ
You've got questions. We've got answers.
What value are you receiving from a SINGLE HOME WATCH VISIT?
OUR EXPENSE FOR A SINGLE HOME WATCH VISIT
- The typical travel time to a property in Fernandina Beach is around 20 minutes.
- A Visual property inspection lasts around 20-60-minutes, depending on the size of the property and the tasks clients want us to complete per visit. We allow up to 60-minutes on-site for Weekly, Bi-Weekly & Monthly Visits.
- Time invested in writing up the report, scan report, upload photos, communications with client.
- The price of gas and wear of the vehicle.
- Cost of running a business (legal, taxes, invoicing, tools, technology, etc.)
What is A Home Watch Visit?
A Home Watch Visit is a trip to and a visual inspection of your property looking for and documenting obvious issues. Property owners who are away for long periods of time use our services to ensure that any issues that develop in their absence are able to be mitigated as soon as possible. Insurance companies like to see vacant property checked by a professional home watch company on a regular basis..
How Much Does Home Watch Service Cost?
Our flat-fee per-visit pricing is transparent and listed publicly on our website Pricing webpage. Our prices are extremely competitive. We believe in transparent pricing and exceptional customer service. If you encounter a home watch company that hides their prices, we'd recommend looking elsewhere.
Why Should I pay for Home Watch Service?
The first thought in your mind may be, "I can hire a neighborhood kid to watch my house." That may be true, but the reason you want to hire our professional home watch company is that we have experience in property inspections and have a trained eye for health, safety, and security, as well as construction methodology. Our written reports and photographs document the condition of your property and how it may change over time. Insurance companies like to see vacant property checked on periodically by a professional home watch company. We have saved many a Client the cost of our services just by documenting damage, lowering utility costs, controlling humidity, and having someone locally to call on when things go wrong.
Can I trust Martin Home Watch to Watch my Home?
Martin Home Watch was founded by a retired career Fire Captain/Emergency Medical Technician. We have terms of service so both parties know what to expect and what not to expect. You have a chance to meet me and get to know us at our complementary consultation prior to starting service. We can provide references upon request. We are a registered Limited Liability Company in the State of Florida.
How Frequently do you check on my home?
For Home Watch Service, we check on your property according to the set schedule that you choose when signing up for my services. Our recommendation is every two weeks or once per month, depending upon your situation. Insurance companies like to see a professional check on your property on a regular basis. Without the use of some technology, such as a wifi enabled thermostat, security camera, and door bell camera, a more frequent visit schedule, such as weekly may be more appropriate.
What Do you DO when you check my home?
We use a printed checklist that we customize according to your property and your stated needs. We spend up to 60-minutes on site and up to another 30-minutes in our office preparing your report and photos, not including drive-time. If we find anything out of the ordinary, we will send you a text message or call you.
We do not charge extra for other tasks in addition to the home watch check that we are able to complete in an onsite time of 60-minutes, so if you want us to bring in the mail, take out the trash, feed the cat or dog, walk the dog, etc., just tell us when you request service. Visit our Pricing page for details on extended visits, visits outside normal business hours, visits on holidays, and emergent visits for alarm and weather events.
We do not charge extra for other tasks in addition to the home watch check that we are able to complete in an onsite time of 60-minutes, so if you want us to bring in the mail, take out the trash, feed the cat or dog, walk the dog, etc., just tell us when you request service. Visit our Pricing page for details on extended visits, visits outside normal business hours, visits on holidays, and emergent visits for alarm and weather events.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, and Zelle (most banks use Zelle - you just have to activate it within your account by going to payments, Zelle, and activate.} You'll choose either your phone number or email address and let us know which one to send a payment request to.). We send a request for payment via Zelle for services after they have been provided. All payments are due within five (5) business days. We do not accept credit cards to keep our pricing as low as possible. Note: We use Zelle for Business so you know you can trust the payment method.
How do i Pre-Register for home watch service?
All new Clients start by filling out our Pre-Register form online to begin a dialogue. We will contact you and confirm a free 30-minute consultation where we meet, gather necessary information, and establish a schedule of visit frequency, according to your current or future needs.
Once you are a Client, you can schedule service by using the online Schedule Service form, texting, emailing, or calling.
There is no pre-registration fee, no reaainer fee, no change fee, and no cancelation fee. We request payment for services via Zelle check, or cash after service has been provided for each Visit. Contact us with questions.
Once you are a Client, you can schedule service by using the online Schedule Service form, texting, emailing, or calling.
There is no pre-registration fee, no reaainer fee, no change fee, and no cancelation fee. We request payment for services via Zelle check, or cash after service has been provided for each Visit. Contact us with questions.
Do i have to sign an Agreement?
No, you have the right to cancel our service at any time with notice. Our service is provided on a month-to-month basis. We do ask that you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. The terms of service discloses what you should expect and what you should not expect from us. Knowing what to expect provides peace of mind to both parties. In addition, agreeing to terms of service is standard in our industry and many insurers require them. Our Privacy Policy discloses how we handle your personally identifiable information.
What if i decide to end THE service?
We do not charge for services until after they have been provided. If you decide to end our services early, or completely, there is no penalty. We ask that if you are coming home earlier than planned, or guests will occupy the property in your absence, to notify us. We can pause pre-scheduled Visits and resume pre-scheduled Visits when the property is vacant again. If you want to end home watch service, simply notify us in writing and provide an effective date. We are here to serve you when you need us. We want you to be happy, and come back again the next time you need home watch services.
what is your service area?
Our service area includes Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, and Yulee, FL. If you are in Nassau County, FL and want us to provide home watch services, please Contact our office and we may be able to assist you.
opening and closing visits
The first visit we conduct after your departure (closing visit) may include the following:
The last visit prior to your return (opening visit) may included the following:
*Grocery shopping may incur additional charge for travel and stocking items inside your home.
- Empty inside trash
- Set hot water heater to vacation setting
- Adjust HVAC to energy efficient away temperature
- Ensure all windows are and doors are closed and locked
- Empty ice bin and turn off ice-maker
- Raise toilet lids to the open position
- Unplug all unused electronic devices
- Discard outdated food items in the refrigerator
- Raise or lower window treatments according to the season
- Begin monitoring indoor humidity level
The last visit prior to your return (opening visit) may included the following:
- Adjust HVAC to comfortable temperature
- Ensure lighted entry for night arrival
- Freshen toilets
- Plug in all electrical devices that were unplugged at our Closing Visit
- Bring in any mail
- Grocery shopping*
- Set water heater to home setting
- Remove vehicle from trickle charger (if applicable)
*Grocery shopping may incur additional charge for travel and stocking items inside your home.
Do you do home repairs?
We do very minor things like changing light bulbs, replacing batteries in thermostats and smoke detectors, changing furnace filters, etc. We don't do more extensive home repairs, however, we have vetted a number of local businesses that do what they do best. Visit our Directory webpage to find a local business. Know of an excellent local business. Have them contact us via our Advertise webpage.
Do you offer house sitting overnight stays?
Yes, we do House Sitting Overnight-Stays at your property upon request according to our availability. Generally speaking, we check-in at 3:00 pm on the first day and check-out by 11:00 am on the last day of a House Sitting Stay. If you need us there for pets, we adjust our check-in and check-out time according to your needs. We will schedule House Sitting Stays according to your travel schedule. The rate for an overnight stay is $80/day.
HOw can i submit a reveiw of Martin home watch?
We do not accept reviews on our website due to the nature of our business. Security and privacy of our clients is number one. When we meet you at our free initial consultation, you will learn that our top priority is service. We believe life is for service. We put service over the number of clients we have. Our clients are free to leave reviews on our social media sites if they choose to. In addition, we do not use markings on our vehicles so as not to draw attention to the fact that you are away from your property.
When do snowbirds leave florida?
Though it varies each year, most snowbirds leave Florida in May. Heat and humidity continue to rise steadily through spring and summer, keeping most snowbirds out of state until November. Snowbird season also benefits sun-seeking vacation renters—thanks to an increased inventory of rentals.
We accept new clients any time of the year when our staffing and scheduling allows. Simply use our Pre-Register web page to get started.
We accept new clients any time of the year when our staffing and scheduling allows. Simply use our Pre-Register web page to get started.
Do i have to sign up for multiple visits?
No. You can sign up for a single one-time visit a series of visits, or periodic visits. A one-time visit is $50. Most of our clients choose visits every two weeks, or once per month depending upon the situation and type of property. Please reach out to us to see if we can develop a schedule that meets your needs. When you pre-register, it prepares us to be able to watch your property at a moments notice should you require travel. There is no retainer fee, so signing up allows both of us to prepare ahead of time.
Is Martin HOme Watch Licensed?
Yes, Martin Home Watch, LLC is a registered Limited Liability Company in the State of Florida. Visit Sunbiz.org and search for Martin Home Watch, LLC to view our license.
I own a local business. Can i advertise on your site?
Yes, please contact us for complete details. A free basic listing is available to local businesses who offer a discount to our clients. Paid ads and paid listings are also available without offering a discount. We reserve the right to deny any one for any reason. We are very picky about the businesses we allow to place ads on our site.
Do you offer Concierge services?
Yes, we offer other services that often can be accomplished within the one hour included in our Bi-Weekly or Monthly Visits. Concierge services beyond the first hour if done during our scheduled visits are no extra charge. Special trips for Concierge Services (not a home watch visual inspection) are billed at a rate of $25 per hour in 15-minute increments. Concierge Services include, but are not limited to: welfare checks on senior citizens, changing furnace filters, changing smoke detector batteries, opening & closing the home for guests, meeting deliveries, picking up packages, grocery shopping, taking vehicle to dealership and waiting for service, taking vehicle to car wash, putting boxed furniture together, etc.
HOW DO I ACCESS MY HOME WATCH RECORDS on martinhomewatch.com?
IF YOU SELF REGISTER FOR WEBSITE ACCESS:: New Clients may self-register using the Register link on the top right hand side of our website to register for website access. Let us know you self-registered and we will approve your registration. Once you are approved in this manor, you will receive an email of approval. You can then use the login link at the top right hand side of the website to log in to access your account and any pages you have access too in addition to public pages.
IF WE SEND YOU AN EMAIL WITH A LOG IN INVITATION, FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW.
STEP 1: As a new client, you will receive an email with a link to set a password for our site. Click on the Set Password link in the email.
STEP 2: You will see the Log In Screen like the photo below. Your email address may already be filled in. If so, just enter a password and click the blue log in button. Note: If the email address is not prefilled, please enter the email address that we have on file for you.
STEP 3: Once you log in, you will see a pop up box displaying your account and the secure pages you have access to. Close this window by clicking on the X at the top right corner of the pop up box.. RE-open the account window again by clicking on Account in the top right corner of our website - when you are logged in. When you are logged out, you will not see Account in the top right corner of our site.
is martin home watch a rental- property management company?
Martin Home Watch is not a rental property management company. We are not real estate agents, and we are not real estate inspectors. That does't mean that we can't do home watch visits to rental properties, but if you have questions, please Contact us to discuss your needs.
We are a professional Home Watch company serving absentee homeowners who leave Florida in the Spring and return in the Fall. We also serve homeowners who take extended vacations, and relatives out of the area who have elderly family members living in Nassau County, FL who need to be checked on (welfare checks) from time to time.
We are a professional Home Watch company serving absentee homeowners who leave Florida in the Spring and return in the Fall. We also serve homeowners who take extended vacations, and relatives out of the area who have elderly family members living in Nassau County, FL who need to be checked on (welfare checks) from time to time.
do you do home well-being checks?
HOME WELL-BEING VISITS:
Home Well-being Visits are pre-scheduled visits to your property of up to 30-minutes during normal business hours of 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday-Thursday. Services may include medication reminders, assistance with daily tasks (not meal preparation, light housekeeping, or personal grooming), home safety assessment, emergency response, communication with family members, companionship. Overall, these services aim to promote the independence, safety, and comfort of elderly individuals living at home. Home Wellness Visits don't include a visual inspection of the property. We do not provide medical care and are not licensed to provide medical care. Extended Visits are an hourly rate of $25 per hour billed in 15-minute increments, in addition to the per-visit flat fee.
Home Well-being Visits are pre-scheduled visits to your property of up to 30-minutes during normal business hours of 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday-Thursday. Services may include medication reminders, assistance with daily tasks (not meal preparation, light housekeeping, or personal grooming), home safety assessment, emergency response, communication with family members, companionship. Overall, these services aim to promote the independence, safety, and comfort of elderly individuals living at home. Home Wellness Visits don't include a visual inspection of the property. We do not provide medical care and are not licensed to provide medical care. Extended Visits are an hourly rate of $25 per hour billed in 15-minute increments, in addition to the per-visit flat fee.
What's the difference between house sitting and Home Watch?
A House Sitter generally makes one or more trips to a home each day or stays at the home while the owners are away. Home Watch is a new concept of less frequents, such as once per week, bi-weekly, or monthly. Your needs, such as pet care, plants, lawn care, etc. will determine which service you want and need. Consider using our Directory to find local companies who can perform the tasks you want and need in your absence. House Sitters and Home Watch professionals can oversee construction projects, accept a delivery, or do grocery shopping.
We offer House Sitting Visits and House Sitting Stays, Home Watch Visits, and Wellness Checks for elderly relatives. Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your specific needs.
We offer House Sitting Visits and House Sitting Stays, Home Watch Visits, and Wellness Checks for elderly relatives. Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your specific needs.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE COME HOME EARLY OR HAVE GUESTS USE OUR PROPERTY WHILE WE ARE AWAY?
With notice, we can pause pre-scheduled Visits and resume pre-scheduled Visits. Please let us know if you are coming home earlier than planned, or if guests will be occupying your property in your absence. We can pause pre-scheduled Visits to your property and resume pre-scheduled Visits when the property is vacant. No worries. We have you covered.
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