Looking for information on a specific service? Select a category below to jump to that section.
Home Watch Services
What is a Home Watch service?
A Home Watch service is a professional, scheduled visual inspection of an unoccupied or vacant home to identify obvious issues before they escalate. Inspections typically include checking for water leaks, security concerns, environmental damage, and system failures, with documented reports provided to the homeowner.
Is the Home Watch industry regulated in Canada?
No, the Home Watch industry is not formally regulated or licensed by provincial or federal governments in Canada. Because of this, anyone can claim to offer Home Watch services, making it important to choose a provider that follows recognized training, insurance, bonding, and best-practice standards.
Why do I need a Home Watch service?
A Home Watch service helps protect your home from risks that can occur while you are away, including water damage, break-ins, mechanical failures, pests, and weather-related issues. Regular inspections help reduce costly damage and support insurance requirements for vacant or unoccupied homes.
Why is it important to hire a professional Home Watch provider?
Hiring a professional Home Watch provider ensures your property is monitored by a licensed, insured, and bonded professional who follows recognized inspection and reporting standards. This provides accountability, consistency, and risk awareness that informal or unqualified services often lack.
What training should a professional Home Watch provider have?
Professional Home Watch providers should complete formal training specific to Home Watch services, including property systems, risk identification, documentation, ethics, and emergency response. Ongoing education helps ensure inspections are thorough and consistent.
Why do training and best practices matter in Home Watch?
Training and best practices help ensure issues are identified early, inspections are consistent, and risks are properly reported. This reduces missed problems, supports insurance compliance, and protects homeowners from preventable damage and liability.
How often should a vacant or unoccupied home be checked?
Many insurance policies reference inspections every 72 hours, although requirements vary by insurer, location, and policy terms. Inspection frequency may also increase during extreme weather or seasonal transitions. Homeowners should always confirm specific insurance requirements.
Is Home Watch required for insurance in Alberta, Yukon, or elsewhere in Canada?
In many cases, insurance providers across Canada, including Alberta and Yukon, require regular inspections of vacant or unoccupied homes to maintain coverage. While 72-hour intervals are commonly referenced, exact requirements vary by policy and insurer.
My insurance policy says a “competent person” must check my home. What does that mean?
A competent person generally refers to someone with the knowledge, reliability, and ability to recognize property risks and take appropriate action. Insurance providers typically expect inspections to be consistent, thorough, and documented.
Is it okay to have my neighbour check on my home instead of using Home Watch?
A neighbour may check in informally, but many insurance policies require inspections by a competent and accountable party. Neighbours typically do not provide structured inspections, documentation, or liability protection if a claim occurs.
How does Home Watch help meet insurance requirements?
Home Watch services provide scheduled, documented inspections that demonstrate ongoing property oversight. These records may be required by insurance providers to confirm compliance with vacancy or unoccupancy conditions.
What happens if I don’t meet my insurance inspection requirements?
Failure to meet inspection requirements may result in reduced coverage, denied claims, or policy cancellation if damage occurs while the home is vacant. Regular Home Watch inspections help reduce this risk.
What risks come with leaving a home unoccupied or vacant?
Vacant and unoccupied homes face increased risk of water leaks, frozen pipes, mold growth, pest infestations, vandalism, theft, and unnoticed mechanical failures. Without regular inspections, small issues can escalate quickly.
How is Home Watch different from house sitting?
Home Watch is a professional service focused on scheduled inspections, documentation, and early problem detection, while house sitting typically involves informal occupancy without defined inspection standards or reporting.
Do Home Watch visits include written reports or documentation?
Yes, professional Home Watch visits include written or digital reports noting visit dates, observations, and any issues identified.
What happens if something goes wrong while I am away?
If an issue is identified, you are notified promptly. Based on your instructions, emergency response can be coordinated, the property secured, and trusted service providers arranged.
Can you respond to alarm calls or emergencies?
Yes, Home Watch services can act as your designated keyholder and respond to alarm notifications or emergencies, assess the situation, and coordinate next steps.
Who uses professional Home Watch services?
Home Watch services are commonly used by seasonal homeowners, frequent travellers, remote professionals, estate executors, insurers, and owners of vacant or high-value properties.
Can you manage multiple properties or short-term rentals like Airbnb or VRBO?
Yes, Home Watch services can be customized to manage multiple properties, including short-term rentals. Services focus on inspections, oversight, and issue response rather than guest or booking management.
Does climate or extreme weather affect Home Watch inspections?
Yes, properties in regions with extreme cold, heavy snowfall, or rapid seasonal changes may require more frequent inspections to monitor heating systems, plumbing, and weather-related risks.
Do you provide Home Watch services outside of Alberta, including Whitehorse?
Yes, Home Watch services are provided across multiple regions in Canada, including Alberta and Whitehorse, Yukon. Services are tailored to local conditions while maintaining consistent standards.
How much do Home Watch services cost?
Home Watch pricing varies based on each home and client’s specific needs. Factors such as property size, location, visit frequency, and risk level are considered. Customized quotes are provided following a brief in-person consultation.
Airdrie Home Watch Client Update
What is the relationship between Airdrie Home Watch and Acuity Advantage?
Airdrie Home Watch is now under the management of Acuity Advantage. Airdrie Home Watch remains active and continues to provide dependable Home Watch services for Airdrie-area homeowners.
Is Airdrie Home Watch still operating?
Yes. Airdrie Home Watch remains active and continues to serve existing and new Airdrie-area clients.
How do I arrange Home Watch service in Airdrie?
To arrange Home Watch service in Airdrie, please contact Airdrie Home Watch directly by phone at 587-999-2424, by email at info@airdriehomewatch.com, or through the contact form at www.airdriehomewatch.com/contact-us/.
Will existing Airdrie Home Watch clients continue to receive service?
Yes. Existing clients can expect their Home Watch services to continue, with clear communication and thoughtful care throughout this next chapter.
Will this affect existing Acuity Advantage clients?
No. Acuity Advantage clients will continue to receive the same dedicated Home Watch and Lifestyle Management support they have come to expect.
Pet Sitting, Farm & Ranch Care
What types of animals do you care for?
Care is provided for a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, poultry, goats, sheep, horses, cattle, and other small livestock. Services are tailored to each animal’s routine and environment.
How is pet sitting structured?
Pet sitting services are generally based on overnight, in-home care and are available for both short-term and long-term stays, depending on your needs. This approach helps maintain your pet’s routine, comfort, and consistency while you are away.
How often are animals checked or cared for?
Visit frequency is customized based on the needs of your animals and property and may range from multiple daily visits to routine scheduled checks.
What happens if there is an emergency with an animal?
If an emergency occurs, you are contacted immediately and appropriate action is taken according to your instructions, including coordination with veterinarians or urgent care providers.
Does each visit include a Home Watch inspection of my property?
Yes, every scheduled visit includes a certified Home Watch inspection of your property, ensuring consistent monitoring alongside animal care.
Do you offer pet, farm, and ranch care services outside of Alberta?
Yes, pet, farm, and ranch care services are offered across Canada, with care tailored to your location, property type, and specific requirements.
Handyman & Property Maintenance Services
What is included in your handyman or property maintenance services?
Handyman and property maintenance services provide managed, project-based support that helps maintain the condition, safety, and functionality of your home while you are away or managing it remotely. Services may include seasonal maintenance, repairs, property projects, and coordination or oversight of approved work to ensure it is completed properly and documented.
Who can use your handyman services?
Handyman services are available exclusively to Home Watch clients. This ensures continuity, trusted access, proper documentation, and alignment with your overall property care plan, particularly when you are not onsite to oversee work yourself.
Do you complete large renovations or major construction projects?
Handyman services are intended for repairs and maintenance support. For larger renovations or construction projects, assistance can be provided through coordination and oversight of licensed trades and contractors as part of Home Watch or Lifestyle Management services.
Lifestyle Management
What are Lifestyle Management services?
Lifestyle Management services provide personalized, concierge-level support that complements Home Watch services. These services help manage life and property details with discretion, efficiency, and trusted oversight before, during, and after your time away.
What types of Lifestyle Management services do you offer?
Lifestyle Management services may include vendor coordination, scheduling, personal shopping, gift sourcing, appointment management, travel support, transportation or car service coordination, and oversight of personal or property-related tasks. If something needs to be arranged, managed, or coordinated, support can be provided or trusted solutions sourced on your behalf.
Can Lifestyle Management services be arranged on a one-time or ongoing basis?
Yes, Lifestyle Management services can be arranged as a one-time request or ongoing support and are designed to work seamlessly alongside Home Watch services. The level of involvement is tailored to your needs, schedule, and preferences.
Can you make purchases on my behalf for personal or business needs?
Yes, purchases can be managed on your behalf with discretion and accuracy using pre-approved budgets or through direct coordination with you and your preferred vendors.
Can you help plan and manage events or private gatherings?
Yes, event planning and coordination services are available, including vendor sourcing, scheduling, logistics, and on-site oversight to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Travel Advisory Services
What travel planning services do you offer?
Travel Advisory services provide personalized, end-to-end travel planning for seasonal travel, executive trips, milestone celebrations, and curated leisure experiences. Services include itinerary design, bookings, coordination, destination guidance, and ongoing support to ensure each trip is thoughtfully planned and smoothly executed.
Are you certified travel advisors?
Yes, Travel Advisory services are provided through a certified Trevello travel advisor and supported by a trusted network of global industry partners and preferred suppliers. This allows access to professional guidance, added value, and advocacy throughout your journey.
How is working with a travel advisor different from booking online?
Working with a travel advisor provides personalized expertise, careful planning, and a dedicated point of contact when plans become complex or change unexpectedly. Travel advisors help anticipate details, navigate options, and advocate on your behalf before, during, and after your trip, support that online booking platforms typically cannot provide.
Can travel planning be combined with Home Watch services?
Yes, many clients combine Travel Advisory and Home Watch services to ensure both their travel experience and their home are professionally managed at the same time. This creates a seamless experience from departure to homecoming, with every detail accounted for.
Is a travel agent worth it?
A travel agent is worth it for individuals who value personalized planning, expert guidance, and peace of mind. Travel advisors simplify complex itineraries, manage disruptions, and provide trusted recommendations, allowing you to focus on enjoying the experience rather than managing the details.
Who typically uses your Travel Advisory services?
Travel Advisory services are often used by our clients who are seasonal homeowners, executives, busy professionals, and clients planning milestone trips who value discretion, thoughtful planning, and a high-touch, seamless experience.
