What is a Home Watch service?
Home Watch is designed to mitigate risk by monitoring an unoccupied home. If any serious issues are observed during our regularly scheduled visits, they are promptly reported to the homeowner and licensed professionals, or other trusted service providers are contacted to address the issue on their behalf. We are the 'boots on the ground' homeowner advocate to assist the homeowner to keep the home well maintained and that urgent issues are promptly tended to.
During our visits, we conduct a methodical inspection using a multi-point checklist customized for the home, systematically looking for obvious issues. An electronic report is generated for every inspection and emailed to the client.
Regular inspections to reduce the chance of major problems developing.
Emergency contact and assistance with coordinating service providers.
Provide entry for contractors and service providers.
Property visits to check for damages and needed repairs.
Why choose Vigilant Home Watch?
Vigilant Home Watch is family owned and operated, and is an accredited member of the National Home Watch Association (NHWA). Kaua'i residents since 2001 with extensive experience in the building trades and home inspection industry, we know Hawaii homes and take a proactive approach to protecting them. The process begins with an initial visual assessment of the home where we develop a checklist of recommended maintenance and repair items in a detailed report. Weekly or bi-weekly follow-up inspections reduce the risk of serious problems developing undetected.
We are registered with the state of Hawaii, bonded, insured, and accredited with the National Home Watch Association (NHWA) which conducts annual background checks,
The NHWA definition of home watch — "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.
Homeowners sometimes rely on house sitters, friends or relatives to keep an eye on the home but they often do not have the experience to identify issues that could become costly repairs if not properly maintained. Likewise, alarm systems or surveillance cameras are not designed to alert homeowners about needed maintenance or repairs. Property managers can play an important role, however their focus is not typically home maintenance and repair management. It's crucial to entrust your property to trained and competent professionals who have the upkeep and security of your property as their primary focus.
Along with the home watch, our concierge services provide our clients with valuable convenience, including:
Hawaii home ownership has many challenges. Proper maintenance of the home in our tropical climate is key to protecting your investment. We help connect property owners to contractors and service providers and can verify maintenance and repairs were performed and components are functioning as intended.
Our regularly scheduled visits mitigate the risk of being away from home for extended periods by identifying issues that can be very costly if undetected or neglected. We provide detailed reports after each visit and assist in identifying solutions if problems develop.
A home watch service is not the same as a home inspection. A home inspection is typically a 1 time visit versus a regularly scheduled home watch visit. Many of the services provided through the home watch service are outside the scope of an inspection performed by nationally certified home inspectors.
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.
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.