Home Sitting vs. Home Watching

When it comes to protecting your house, property, and possessions when you’re away, there are two main options: home sitting and home watching. Both services provide peace of mind by ensuring that someone is keeping an eye on your home while you’re away. But what’s the difference between them?

Home Sitting

Homesitting is essentially a live-in service. This means that a housesitter lives in your home while you’re away. The housesitter will typically stay at your home for a set amount of time. During their stay, they will take care of your home by doing things like watering plants, taking in mail, looking for any issues that arise, and monitoring the security of your home. This is the much more expensive option as you have to pay someone to be there everyday. They are using energy and utilities including using the ac/heat to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. Most house sitters are not licensed, bonded and insured.

Home Watching 

Home watching is a more hands-off service. This usually involves the home watch service provider coming to the home periodically to check on it. The home-watcher will typically visit your home once or twice a week, depending on the length of your absence and the age of your home. During their visits, they will typically check for signs of burglary, vandalism, pest infestation, water damage or any other issues. They will also take in mail, water plants, take furniture deliveries, meet with vendors, and perform other tasks that you may request. This is the less costly option with the home watch provider keeping energy costs to a minimum. Most home watch companies are licensed, bonded and insured for your protection and theirs.