What Real Home Watch Looks Like
The term home watch is used loosely in Southwest Florida. Some providers are licensed, insured professionals who conduct systematic inspections and provide detailed reports. Others are neighbors or handymen who check in occasionally and call it home watch. Understanding the difference is critical — the wrong choice can leave your property unprotected and your insurance coverage at risk.
Blue Harbor Home Watch, operated by John, is a professional home watch service serving Naples and Marco Island. Here is what every homeowner should know when evaluating a home watch provider.
NHWA Membership and Professional Credentials
The National Home Watch Association (NHWA) is the industry's primary professional organization. NHWA members must pass a background check, carry appropriate insurance, and adhere to a code of ethics. Membership is not a guarantee of quality, but it is a meaningful baseline — it indicates the provider takes the profession seriously and has made a commitment to professional standards.
Ask any prospective home watch provider whether they are NHWA members, and verify their membership at the NHWA website. Blue Harbor Home Watch is a proud NHWA member, and John maintains the credentials and insurance that professional home watch requires.
Insurance Requirements
A professional home watch provider must carry general liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and verify that it is current. The coverage should be adequate for the value of the properties they service — a policy with a $100,000 limit is not appropriate for a $2 million home.
Also ask whether the provider is bonded. Bonding provides additional protection against theft or dishonesty by the provider or their employees. While bonding is not universally required, it is a mark of professionalism and provides an additional layer of protection for homeowners.
Background Checks
You are giving this person access to your home, your belongings, and your security codes. Ask directly whether the provider has undergone a background check, and ask who else has access to your property. If the provider uses subcontractors or employees for any visits, those individuals should also be background-checked.
Six Questions to Ask Every Prospective Provider
- Are you NHWA-certified, and can I verify your membership?
- What does your general liability insurance cover, and what are the limits?
- What does a typical inspection include, and how long does it take?
- How do you document and report findings?
- How quickly will you respond to an emergency at my property?
- Can you provide references from current clients in my neighborhood?
Why Local Knowledge Matters
Naples and Marco Island have unique characteristics that a home watch provider must understand: the specific pest pressures of each neighborhood, the drainage patterns that affect flood risk, the HOA requirements that vary by community, and the contractor relationships that determine how quickly problems get resolved. A provider who has been working in the area for years brings knowledge that cannot be replicated by someone new to the market.
What a Professional Inspection Should Cover
A thorough home watch inspection should include the full exterior (roof, gutters, stucco, windows, doors, landscaping, pool), all interior rooms (looking for water intrusion, HVAC operation, pest activity, and any signs of unauthorized entry), mechanical systems (HVAC, water heater, generator, irrigation), and security systems. The inspection should be documented with photos and a written report delivered to you promptly after each visit.
John at Blue Harbor Home Watch conducts every inspection personally, documents findings with photos, and delivers reports that give you a complete picture of your property's condition. Contact Blue Harbor Home Watch to discuss how professional home watch protects your Naples or Marco Island investment.
