(Sound Estate Watch — Professional Estate & Home Oversight)

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Welcome to Sound Estate Watch. By using our services, website, or scheduling tools, you agree to the following Terms of Service. Please read them carefully.

1. Definitions

“Sound Estate Watch,” “we,” “us,” “our”
refers to Sound Estate Watch, a home and estate oversight service located in Washington State.

“Client,” “you,” “your”
refers to any individual or entity using Sound Estate Watch services.

“Home Watch”
follows the National Home Watch Association definition:
A visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues.

This service is not a home inspection, security service, property management company, or emergency responder.

2. Nature of Services

Sound Estate Watch provides:

  • Scheduled Home Watch visits
  • Photo-based visit reports
  • Storm-response check-ups
  • Seasonal & travel-away monitoring
  • Contractor access & oversight
  • Mail/package checks
  • Interior & exterior walk-throughs
  • Visual checks for moisture, damage, leaks, HVAC issues, and other observable concerns

Our services are strictly visual observations unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing.

We do not act as:

  • general contractors (outside of clearly defined oversight visits)
  • repair technicians
  • emergency remediation companies
  • property managers under RCW 18.85

If we observe an issue, we report it to you and recommend next steps.

3. Scheduling & Access

Clients must provide:

  • accurate entry instructions
  • working keys, codes, or access information
  • notice of alarm systems or cameras

We are not responsible for delays caused by access issues.

4. Reporting

Each visit includes:

  • a timestamped photo report
  • notes on visible conditions
  • alerts to any issues that require action

Reports are delivered electronically.

Reports do not guarantee the absence of defects or hidden issues.

5. Limitation of Liability

Sound Estate Watch will not be liable for:

  • pre-existing issues
  • hidden defects
  • non-visible damages
  • mold growth occurring between visits
  • storm damage occurring before or after the visit
  • contractor-caused damages
  • appliance, plumbing, or system failures
  • negligence by third-party service providers

We are not responsible for events outside our control, including:

  • severe weather
  • break-ins
  • vandalism
  • utility outages
  • structural failures
  • water intrusion occurring between scheduled visits

Our services reduce risk, but cannot eliminate all risk.

6. Emergency Notifications

If we observe an urgent issue (active water leak, break-in signs, major damage), we will notify you as soon as possible.

We do not guarantee immediate response during:

  • storms
  • regional outages
  • dangerous conditions
  • events outside our scheduled visit plan

Any emergency dispatch (plumber, remediation, electrician, etc.) must be approved by the client unless previously authorized.

7. Contractor Oversight

Contractor oversight is limited to:

  • visual monitoring of work
  • arrival/departure confirmation
  • documenting progress
  • verifying basic quality and site cleanliness

Oversight does not include:

  • project management
  • code compliance verification
  • guaranteeing workmanship
  • approving structural or mechanical systems

The client enters all contracts directly with their contractors.

8. Key Handling & Access Security

We maintain secure storage for all client keys.

Clients agree to notify Sound Estate Watch immediately if codes or locks change.
We are not responsible for access failures due to unreported changes.

9. Payments, Billing & Fees

Clients agree to pay for services as scheduled.

Storm-response visits are billed separately from routine visits.

Contractor oversight is billed hourly with a two-hour minimum.

Invoices must be paid by their due date. Failure to pay may suspend services.

10. Cancellation Policy

Clients may cancel services at any time with written notice.

No refunds are provided for services already performed.

Storm-response visits cannot be canceled after the event has occurred.

11. No Warranty

Sound Estate Watch provides services “as-is” without warranty of:

  • condition
  • structural integrity
  • safety
  • performance of systems
  • future absence of issues

We provide professional observations but do not guarantee that all issues will be detected.

12. Privacy & Confidentiality

We do not share client information, access codes, visit photos, or personal details with any third party.

Visit photos may include interior or exterior areas of your home — these remain confidential.

(See our full Privacy Policy for more.)

13. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Washington.

14. Acceptance of Terms

By using Sound Estate Watch’s services, website, or booking a visit, you acknowledge and agree to these Terms.