Home Watch · Woodstock, Vermont
Home Watch in Woodstock, Vermont
Regular house checks for second homes in and around Woodstock. We're local, we come after every big storm, and it's one flat fee each month.
Why it matters here
A Woodstock house left empty needs someone close by.
A lot of Woodstock houses sit empty for weeks at a time, some at the end of long dirt roads in South Woodstock, Prosper or out toward Barnard. If the furnace quits in January or mice get in over the fall, nobody knows until the owner shows up.
That's what home watch is for. Some people call it house watching or just house checks. We come by on a set schedule, walk the whole place inside and out, and call you if something's off. If a plumber or electrician needs to get in, we meet them there.
Every visit
Home watch services: what we check on every visit
Inside
- Heat holding at set temperature
- Leaks under sinks, around toilets and water heaters
- Ceilings and walls for water staining
- Signs of mice or other pests
- Run faucets, flush toilets
- Doors, windows and locks secure
Outside
- Roof lines for ice dams and snow load
- Driveway plowed and sanded, entries clear
- Downed limbs and storm damage
- Gutters, drainage and foundation
- Signs of entry or tampering
- Deliveries and packages brought in
Systems
- Furnace or boiler running normally
- Propane and oil levels
- Sump pump and basement moisture
- Generator exercised and fueled
- Well pump and water pressure
- Alarm, cameras and Wi-Fi online
Through the year
A Woodstock house changes with the seasons
Dec – Mar
Winter
Freeze checks after cold snaps, ice dam watch, plow and roof-raking follow-up, and visits after every outage.
Apr – May
Mud season
Basement and sump checks during the thaw, road access on dirt roads, and opening the house for spring.
Jun – Aug
Summer
Storm and heavy-rain checks near the Ottauquechee, humidity and mold watch, and landscaping oversight.
Sep – Nov
Fall
Mouse-proofing as nights get cold, heating system start-up, fuel deliveries, and closing up for winter.
Service area
Woodstock and the surrounding towns
We cover the village and the back roads around it, plus neighboring towns where many of our owners have homes.
Nearby: all home watch areas
How we charge
One flat monthly plan
Traditional caretakers often bill per visit, per call and per contractor meeting, then add a markup to every invoice. We don't.
The old model
- Charge for every visit
- Extra fees after storms
- Markups on contractor invoices
- Hard to predict month to month
StayVermont
- Scheduled checks included
- Storm and outage visits included
- Contractor meet-ups included, no markups
- The same amount every month
Getting started
How it works
Walkthrough
We visit the house with you or your caretaker and note systems, shutoffs and quirks.
Set a schedule
We agree on check frequency for each season and who to call for what.
Regular checks
We visit on schedule, send you regular updates on the house, and call right away if something needs attention.
Arrival ready
Before you come up, heat's on, driveway's clear and the house is ready.
Questions
Home watch in Woodstock: common questions
How often do you check a Woodstock home?
Most Woodstock owners choose weekly checks in winter and every other week the rest of the year. We add visits after storms, cold snaps and power outages at no extra charge.
Do you charge per visit?
No. Home watch is one flat monthly plan. Storm checks, contractor meet-ups and arrival prep are included rather than billed per visit or marked up.
How quickly can you get to my house?
Our team lives within 20 minutes of Woodstock village, so we can usually be at your door the same day when an alarm, outage or storm hits.
How will I know my house is okay?
We send you regular updates on your home, so you're not left wondering between trips. If we find a problem, we don't wait for the next update. You'll get a call or text that day.
Is home watch the same as house sitting?
No. A house sitter stays in your home. With home watch, we stop by on a schedule, check everything, and leave. It costs less, and nobody's living in your space.
Can you also rent my Woodstock home when I'm not using it?
Yes. We also do vacation property management for short and medium-term rentals. Some owners start with home watch and add rentals later, or the other way around.
Woodstock home watch
Talk with someone who lives nearby
Tell us about your house and how often you're up. We'll set up a walkthrough and a plan that fits.