A customer said about us:

" Thank you for your excellent service, it was our first experience of using this type of company and, fortunately for us, it was a very good one " Mrs C.S. - Essex

Frequently Asked Questions

How much security do your people really provide? Are they in the house the whole time?

It is, of course, possible for you to have 24/7 cover, but the cost, thanks to the National Minimum Wage, is very high.

The normal pattern is determined by the Rule which says that Guardians must never leave the property unattended for more than three hours during daylight and 30 minutes after dark. In practice they are on the premises most of the time, just as they would be if they were in their own home.

They are aware that the security of the house and the care of the animals and plants are in their hands and they organise their time accordingly. Their presence is unquestionably a deterrent to burglars and many insurance companies offer lower premiums to clients using house-sitting services.

Do you provide a popping-in service?

No, we only provide a residential, live-in service.

What happens if your Guardian falls ill or needs to leave half way through my holiday?

The Home Service guarantees to get a suitable substitute to take over from them before they leave so that your property and pets are never left unattended - even if the MD or a fellow Director has to go! We keep a copy of the Briefing Form at Head Office for just such a contingency, and we have Regional Managers around the country we can call on for support.

The Rules you talk about - how do you know your Guardians abide by them?

In the first place, by picking reliable, diligent, caring people as Guardians, but also by monitoring them on assignment by telephone or by a visit from one of our Head Office or Regional managers.

Do you insure your Guardians in case they damage or destroy anything of mine?

We carry Professional Indemnity plus both Public and Employer's Liability with a cover limit of £1,000,000. Full details are available on request.

Will you look after Granny who lives here but isn't coming with us?

Two problems here:

  1. If anyone other than our Guardians are living in the house, security is compromised
  2. Our Guardians are not qualified to provide care for the elderly, or for any other age group for that matter. In some circumstances, however, we are willing to 'keep an eye' on someone, so please discuss your needs with us and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Can you provide people at short notice?

Usually, but we don't like having to do so; we like time to make a proper choice of Guardian for you; for you to meet them to make sure you all get along well and for you to provide a personal briefing in addition to the written one. And all that takes a minimum of 10 days.

But not a week goes by without someone ringing us because they've "been let down at the last minute". It is often difficult for private individuals, without the back up of a national company, to maintain their commitments, and we are often called in to save the situation. And, of course, we pull out all the stops to do so.

pet sitting

Question still not answered?

If you have any other questions, or would like to discuss your requirements, please contact us