The initial step consists of a face to face meeting at the homeowner’s property. This meeting gives us a chance to accurately assess both your property, and your personal needs. Should you feel strongly about one aspect of service, we can properly evaluate it at the time in order to provide you with a price quote for the service. Upon signing a year-long contract, pricing averages $23 per visit for basic inspection services, and specialty requests will be priced on an hourly basis.
During the initial meeting, we recommend that the homeowner be asking the following questions:
- Do I feel comfortable with this person?
- Do I want this person in my home?
- Does this person adequately reflect my concerns and will they accurately represent me?
At the same time, we are asking ourselves:
- Will the homeowner be easy to reach?
- Will communication be a problem?
- Is there a clear understanding of the role that Portico Property Concierge is acting on behalf of the homeowner?
Are materials, expenses and taxes included in your rate?
No, the client/homeowner is responsible for all approved expenses and materials which are used, and all additional charges.
What is your territory?
Portico Property Concierge covers the entire Okanagan Valley, from Vernon in the north, to Osoyoos in the south. We also have offices in Vancouver, Rossland (home of Red Mountain Resort) and Banff/Canmore in Alberta. Should you require services outside of this area, arrangements may be made. Simply call our head office (1.866.503.1149) and ask to speak to a customer service representative to inquire.
Are you insured?
Portico is a bonded and insured company, and all employees undergo a thorough background check.
Will I get a discount on my homeowner’s insurance if I have a service like yours?
Most, if not all, policies dictate that you have a reliable person checking your home during the winter months every 2-4 days in order for the policy to be valid. Ask your insurance agent about the provisions in your particular policy but yes, more and more companies recognize that problems caught and fixed early in the process save them money in the long run.
How often do you recommend that our home get checked?
If you are satisfying insurance requirements, check your policy to see the minimum number of days the property can be left vacant while still being insured. We recommend that a one time per week per month inspection occur during the non-winter months of May through October, inclusive, and every 2-4 days during the winter months of November through April, inclusive.
What happens if a problem is discovered?
Once a problem has been discovered, our inspector will communicate with you via telephone or email, and will electronically send photos to you, so that you may make an informed decision. After we have discussed the situation with you, either via phone or email, we will ensure that our team of valley-wide vendors will rectify the situation, keeping you thoroughly informed along the way
