What does that mean?
Your home is your castle. Your homeowners or renters insurance varies from person to person, but generally covers things like flood, fire, weather damage, or property damage due to break-ins.
When something goes wrong with your home that would normally be covered by insurance, you need proof that someone was there when it happened, or they may deny your claim. When you leave your home for a period of time that exceeds the allowable vacancy period for your homeowners or renters insurance, Drawbridge Home Check will check your home and give you signed documentation to show your insurance company that someone was there to oversee your home.
And we are discreet. No one will show up at your home with a logo on their vehicle. The last thing you need is to return from an amazing vacation or long work schedule, and discover something like a flooded basement that your insurance might not cover!
But Drawbridge Home Check is much more than a basic "walk-thru" service. Drawbridge will ensure your home doesn't APPEAR to be unattended, making your home a less desirable target for break-ins. I am making sure your fridge is running. I am making sure your stove isn't! And you have a choice between three different packages to suit your needs.
Whether you are going away for a week, month, or even a year, Drawbridge will work out a custom contract that meets your needs.
Three packages
Every visit includes signed documentation for insurance purposes. Rob will work out the details of each check with you directly after your request comes in.
The MeowCheck
Interior-focused home care, including all cat care needs.
- All cat care needs
- Signed checklist for insurance purposes
- Full interior home check
- Open and close curtains
- Random interior light activations
- Flush toilets and run water every two weeks to prevent P-trap dry-out
- Check fridge and freezers
- Check windows and exterior doors
- Check furnace and hot water tank
- Check mail, including packages left at your door
- Visual check of smoke alarms
Any of the above can be opted out of to suit your situation.
Request This PackageThe Sentry
Everything in The MeowCheck, plus full exterior oversight.
- Check exterior downspouts for problems
- Check yard area for anything out of place
- Check exterior for signs of break-in or weather damage
- Deactivate garage doors to prevent break-in attempts (reactivated on final visit)
- Water plants
- Roll waste bins in and out
- Alarm response contact
- Thermostat adjusted to your schedule
Request This Package
The Travel-Check
A visit just before you depart — usually within 24 hours, or per your schedule.
- Identify potential issues that should be known or addressed before you leave
- Check for non-secured access points
- Check in-home systems like your furnace and water systems
- A fresh set of eyes trained to notice the things you might not notice
- A convenient homeowners checklist for you and your family to use before you depart
Ideal for shorter trips where a full check schedule isn't needed.
Request This PackageAdd-ons
Available with any package. Sub-contracted services are arranged by Rob on your behalf.
- Snow removal — as needed, fall through spring (sub-contracted)
- Lawn care — as needed, summer (sub-contracted)
- Basic refrigerator restock — custom to your needs
- Cleaning service — as needed; Rob will not be present for this service (sub-contracted)
Less obvious absence. Faster problem spotting.
Empty homes can attract attention for the wrong reasons. Regular checks help reduce the signs that nobody is around, while also creating a chance to catch property problems early.
- Useful for vacations, snowbirds, business travel, hospital stays, and extended time away.
- Helps reduce obvious signals such as accumulated mail, packages, and unchanged visible details.
- Provides a local point of contact if something looks wrong.
- Works as a flexible request-based service instead of a rigid automated appointment system.
Booking request
Send the basics — name, address, phone, and your dates. Checks are typically every three days, and your requested dates don't have to be a continuous block. Rob will follow up to work out the details.
About Drawbridge
A home-check service is personal by nature. The homeowner is trusting someone to be observant, careful, and practical while they are away.
Hi, my name is Rob.
Over the past 10 years, I have cared for many cats in the Red Deer area. Starting with building the first cats-only boarding facility in town, I eventually moved on to offer in-home visits for cats. As the business changed and evolved, it made sense to expand that business model to something more. A formal home check service. With 4 years of experience in the home check field, you can be sure that I am acutely aware of what to look for in terms of potential problems, as well as ensuring everything is secure. I don't consider this as a job. Helping others is in my moral fiber. If you can do what you love, do that.
FAQ
Common questions about the service.
Why do I need someone to check my home when I leave for a few days or more?
If your home appears to be occupied (curtains moved, lights on/off, newspapers/junkmail picked up), it is far less likely to be targeted by break-ins.
Property damage due to environmental factors, or mechanical issues like furnace failure, water tank or other water lines suffering unexpected failures can be recorded and caught early.
Failure to have proof of someone checking on your home after one of these adverse events may result in refusal of coverage by your insurance provider.
Does my home need to be checked every day?
No. Your insurance provider can provide you with a guideline for the frequency your home should be checked. Anything more than that is up to you! You may have plants, fish or cats that need daily visits, and we have a package for that.
For peace of mind, Drawbridge does offer a Travel-Check to help you prepare your home for a few days of vacancy, which is ideal for those leaving for only a few days.
Do I have to leave any lights on?
Customizing your specific requirements is part of the service. For example, if you don't want different lights to be cycled on/off at each visit, we remove that from the checklist.
What about privacy and security?
Your information is not made public, nor do we show up at your home in a marked vehicle. Any security info we are given is kept hidden from prying eyes!
Questions before booking?
Send a message first if you want to clarify timing, access, visit frequency, or special property instructions.