Getting started with home watch — the onboarding process, what your first reports will look like, and how to build a productive long-term relationship.
A professional home watch company starts with an onboarding visit — a walk-through of your property to document systems, shutoffs, quirks, access points, and your preferences. This typically takes 60-90 minutes and may include an onboarding fee. It's time and money well spent.
The first few reports from a new provider are often the most detailed — they're establishing the baseline for your property. You'll see photos of every system, detailed condition notes, and sometimes more flags than you expected as a fresh set of professional eyes notices things that have been overlooked.
Establish early: how you prefer to receive reports (email, portal, text), your response protocol (phone call for urgent issues, report for routine visits), and how quickly you expect responses. Set these expectations in the first few weeks.
After a month with a good home watch provider, you should feel: informed (regular detailed reports), confident (your home is professionally watched), and unburdened (issues are handled without you managing logistics). If you feel anxious or uninformed, that's feedback worth acting on early.
Related reading: Your Home Watch Report: What It Should Look Like and Why It Matters.
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