Home Watch Service
Provide scheduled visual checks of vacant or seasonal homes and send owners a clear report after every visit.
Revenue example: 10–70 paid visits per month × $50 per visit, before expenses and taxes. This is a calculation, not a typical-earnings claim. Estimate weekly hours from paid visits, travel, reporting, marketing, and administration. Client demand may be seasonal.
Is This Business Right for You?
A Home Watch owner checks accessible areas for obvious issues, documents observations, and keeps the homeowner informed while they’re away.
What you would do
- Check agreed doors, windows, and visible plumbing.
- Look for visible leaks, storm damage, or pest indicators.
- Record indoor conditions and agreed observations.
- Send a dated photo report after each visit.
A good fit if you are
- Dependable and detail-oriented.
- Comfortable working independently.
- Available for local visits with reliable transport.
- Careful with keys, access details, and client privacy.
Visual checks only; technical inspections, repairs, security patrols, and rental management require a separately verified scope.
Choose What You’ll Offer
Decide which services you can reliably deliver, then define your service area, visit frequency, and exclusions.
- Standard home check: agreed accessible interior and exterior areas.
- Dated photo report: clear observations after every visit.
- Extra visit: separately quoted and subject to safe access and availability.
- Vendor access: only with written authority and suitable coverage.
| Package | Include in your quote |
|---|---|
| Single visit | Visit window, scope, report, and fee |
| Recurring plan | Exact visits per month and reporting |
| Optional requests | Separate price and authorization |
Review Your Startup Costs
Your startup budget depends on location, coverage, and equipment you already own. Get quotes for Home Watch-specific insurance, local setup, supplies, and operating reserves before choosing a budget.
| Item | Include in your estimate |
|---|---|
| Insurance & preparation | Coverage, training, agreement review, and setup costs |
| Basic supplies | Phone/camera, flashlight, and secure key storage |
| Website & local marketing | Service page, printed materials, and a small test budget |
| Ongoing costs | Travel, software, payment fees, and a cash reserve |
| Your startup total | Complete your quote-based worksheet |
Budget evidence: the NHWA emphasizes coverage specifically for Home Watch. Optional NHWA membership is listed at $615 per year plus a $50 background check per principal/owner. The optional Home Watch Academy Business Owner course is listed at $1,999; its separate graduate resource subscription has an additional charge. These are separate choices, not universal requirements or a complete startup total. Existing vehicle and phone ownership also affect upfront costs.
Download Cost & Pricing Worksheet (Printable PDF)
Two pages with fillable fields. Enter your own calculations; totals do not calculate automatically. You can also print and write by hand.
Business-Specific Requirements
Confirm these items for the Home Watch services you plan to offer.
- Check whether your specific service scope requires local permissions.
- Confirm coverage for property visits, keys, reporting errors, and business driving.
- Document key custody, access, emergency contacts, and spending authority.
- Use a locally reviewed service agreement defining scope, fees, and service limits.
Pricing & Earnings
Price the whole job: travel, the visit, reporting, and administration. At an assumed $50 per visit, 10 paid visits generate $500 and 70 generate $3,500 in monthly gross revenue. These are scenarios, not verified typical earnings; profit depends on actual expenses.
| Published example* | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Compass Point: one-time visit | From $49.99 |
| Illustrative monthly calculation | Amount |
|---|---|
| 20 visits × $50 | $1,000 revenue |
| Assumed operating expenses (excluding owner pay) | $300 |
| Remaining before owner pay and taxes** | $700 |
*Compass Point’s published starting price checked September 29, 2026. This is one provider’s example, not a market average or a recommended rate. Scope, location, and prices vary. **Hypothetical figures only. The $700 still needs to cover your own time and taxes; it is not take-home pay or an earnings forecast. Replace assumptions with actual costs.
Tools & Resources
- Phone with camera and charging backup.
- Digital checklist and photo-report template.
- Flashlight and supplies within your agreed scope.
- Anonymous key tags and secure storage.
- Scheduling, invoicing, and secure client records.
- Reliable transport and clear identification.
How to Run the Business
First agree on services, visit frequency, fees, payment terms, cancellation, and emergency instructions in a locally reviewed service agreement. The two supporting forms below cover property access and visit reporting; the access form is not a complete service contract.
Key Holder & Access Agreement
This printable agreement covers who holds access, permitted use, storage, third-party entry, and return of keys.
Download Key Holder Agreement (PDF)Print and complete. Have the agreement reviewed for your location and coverage before signing.
Home Watch Visit Report
This printable checklist and report records visit details, property observations, photos, issues, follow-up, and the next visit.
Download Visit Report (PDF)Print and complete for each visit. Tailor the checks to your agreed services and the property.
Your visit workflow
- Confirm the signed service agreement, schedule, access authorization, emergency contacts, and spending limits.
- Complete the agreed checks and record findings in the visit report.
- Photograph concerns and contact the owner under the agreed plan.
- Secure the property, send the dated report, record the next visit, and invoice under the agreed payment terms.
Both forms are clean, unbranded PDFs with room to complete by hand. Customize them for the property and agreed scope. Check only safe, accessible areas; do not climb, open electrical panels, or attempt repairs. For immediate danger, leave and contact emergency services from a safe location, then notify the owner.
Where to Find Customers
- Real-estate agents serving seasonal homeowners.
- Community and condominium associations.
- Cleaning, pool, garden, and property-service businesses.
- A service-area website and local search presence.
- Community groups that allow business promotions.
- Referrals from satisfied clients.
Advertising & Ready-to-Use Marketing
Your first marketing plan
Explain your service area, visit scope, and quote process on a simple service page.
Introduce yourself to relevant local agents and property-service businesses.
Use a fixed, affordable test budget. Track qualified inquiries and paying clients.
Ready-to-customize marketing content
| Referral partner introduction | |
| Community post | Download PDF |
| Follow-up after an inquiry | |
| Website & flyer copy | Download PDF |
| Sample Facebook ad & test checklist | Download PDF |
Where to advertise locally
- Google Business Profile: create and verify a free profile for an eligible Home Watch business that serves customers in person. Add your service area, services, hours, phone, website, and photos. Hide your address if customers are not served there. Google service-area guidance.
- Nextdoor: create a business page and introduce your Home Watch service to nearby homeowners.
- Craigslist: use the local Services section and check the posting fee before submitting.
- Thumbtack: consider it only if a suitable Home Watch category is available in your area; review lead charges and set a budget first.
- Facebook: use your business Page and local homeowner or community groups that allow promotions. Ordinary Marketplace listings do not allow services.
- HOA and neighborhood websites or newsletters: ask the administrator about an approved business listing or advertisement.
Video: How to create a Facebook ad
Watch Meta’s beginner tutorial, Create ads from a Facebook Page, for a five-step introduction to setting up an ad.
▶ Watch the video on Meta Blueprint ↗Opens Meta’s video lesson in a new tab. Have your Home Watch image, ad copy, service area, and budget ready. Facebook’s screens may look different as the platform changes.
Your 30-Day Launch Plan
Start with free local promotion; paid advertising is optional. Complete applicable requirements, coverage, agreements, and access authorization before accepting keys or paid work. Use days 29–30 to review results and plan next month. Extend the schedule if setup takes longer.
NHWA: Home Watch insurance · NHWA: membership fees · Home Watch Academy: optional training prices
National Home Watch Association · Compass Point pricing · SBA startup guide
U.S.-oriented educational sample. Costs, requirements, and results vary. No personal coaching or individualized legal, tax, or insurance advice. No earnings guarantee. Templates should be customized before use.