Hurricane prep for home watch: get ahead of the storm

In coastal and storm-prone regions, weather is why many homeowners hire home watch at all. An empty house in the path of a hurricane is exactly when an owner needs eyes on the property, and exactly when they can't be there. Handling storms well isn't a nice-to-have here. It's the core of the value you provide.

Before the storm: a pre-storm visit checklist

When a storm is forecast, a focused pre-storm visit cuts damage and shows owners you're on top of it. Adapt this to each property and the owner's instructions:

• Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, planters, grills, anything that can become a projectile.
• Confirm windows, doors, and any shutters or storm panels are closed and secured.
• Clear gutters and drains so water moves away from the home.
• Verify sump pumps and generators work, if the property has them.
• Follow the owner's water and power instructions. Some want the main water shut off.
• Photograph the home's pre-storm condition so post-storm changes are clear.

After the storm: a post-storm assessment

Once it's safe to travel, a fast post-storm visit is what owners are anxiously waiting for. Walk the property and document everything:

• Photograph the exterior, roof line (from the ground), windows, and any visible damage.
• Look for water intrusion, downed branches or trees, and debris impact.
• Confirm the home is still secure and check power, water, and HVAC status.
• Flag any damage as an issue and line up a trusted vendor if repairs are needed.
• Send the owner a clear report with dated photos as soon as you can.

Turn storm response into a defined service

Storm visits take extra time and fall outside the normal cadence. So many operators offer pre-storm and post-storm checks as a defined add-on instead of absorbing them into the base rate. Set the expectation in your agreement up front: what triggers a storm visit, what it includes, what it costs. Owners know help is coming, and you're paid fairly for the extra work.

Stay ahead of the weather, not behind it

The operators who handle storms best watch the forecast before their clients do. NestWatch's weather-aware scheduling suggestions use real forecast data to surface the properties worth checking ahead of an approaching storm or hard freeze. Plan pre-storm visits early instead of scrambling when the warning hits. Paired with proof of visit, every storm check becomes a documented, billable part of your service.