Frequently asked questions

What does a monthly retainer cover?

The monthly retainer gives you 24/7 availability and consistent property oversight. You’re paying for peace of mind and someone who knows your home intimately. Engagements start with a monthly minimum, with flexible options for shorter stays.

How often will you visit the property?

It depends entirely on your property and preferences. Some clients request daily walk-throughs, others weekly, and some prefer overnight presence. We create a custom schedule that makes sense for your home.

What happens during a walk-through?

We check the interior and exterior systematically, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Water intrusion, HVAC performance, security system status, signs of pest activity, anything a contractor left undone. Everything is documented and posted to your portal. Sign in anytime to view activity.

Do you supervise contractors and service people?

Yes. We meet third-party vendors, gardeners, cleaners, maintenance workers, delivery people, so you don't have to coordinate from a distance. We verify the work is done correctly and report back. If something isn't right, we handle it.

What about mail and deliveries?

Mail is collected regularly. We can hold it, forward it, or open and scan specific items on request. Deliveries are accepted and secured. Nothing sits on a doorstep.

Do you take care of Pets?

We specialize in cats. We provide attentive, experienced care for cats, daily drop-in visits or full overnight stays, depending on what your pets need. We don't care for dogs, birds, reptiles, or exotic animals.

Cat care includes feeding, fresh water, litter, medications if required, brushing, play and the kind of attention that keeps an animal calm and settled in their own home. We take the time to understand each cat's personality and routine.

If a veterinary visit becomes necessary while you're away, we coordinate it, transport your pet, communicate with your vet, and report back to you.

Will you stay overnight at the property?

If requested, absolutely. Either because your cats require it, because the property benefits from someone on-site, or because you simply prefer it. Overnight arrangements are discussed and agreed upon before the engagement starts.

What happens if there's an emergency while I'm away?

You hear from us immediately. We assess the situation, take whatever action is needed, coordinate with the appropriate vendors or emergency services, and document everything. You make the decisions; we handle everything on the ground.

Are you insured and bonded?

Yes. Fully insured and bonded. Documentation available on request.

How do engagements begin?

We meet in person, walk your property together, and talk through what you need. If it seems like a good fit on both sides, we put a simple agreement in place before anything starts. We don't take every inquiry, we take properties we can serve well.

What areas do you cover?

We serve properties from Tiburon to San Rafael and are often up in South Lake Tahoe. We are based in Sausalito and keep our client list small enough to remain genuinely available to everyone we work with.

What does it cost?

Retainers start at $3,000 per month. Exact pricing depends on the size and needs of the property and is discussed during our initial conversation, with flexible options for shorter stays.

Do you offer security monitoring while I'm away?

We monitor your security system continuously while you're away. If an alarm triggers or anything requires attention, we respond immediately. You'll hear from us as soon as we know anything that warrants your attention and all incidents are posted to your portal.

Do you handle pool and hot tub maintenance?

We provide routine oversight, checking water levels, testing and balancing chemicals, and monitoring equipment to catch anything that looks off. For more intensive work, repairs, or anything requiring a licensed technician, we coordinate with the appropriate vendor and manage the process so you don't have to.

Can you prepare my home for my return?

Yes. We coordinate everything so your home is ready for your arrival.

That includes fresh groceries based on your list, flowers if requested, arranging housekeeping to refresh sheets and towels, climate set to your preference, mail organized, and any plants freshened. If you left a car, we can have it ready as well.

We ask for a homecoming stipend in advance to cover purchases, amount agreed upon based on your needs. We ask for at least 48 hours notice before your return so everything comes together properly.

Are there services you don't provide?

Estate Care California is a property management and oversight service. We are not a personal concierge, a construction company, or a legal or financial representative. Specifically, we do not:

Oversee major construction projects or perform structural, roofing, construction or major plumbing, electrical, hvac or security system repairs. We coordinate licensed contractors, we don't replace them.

Care for dogs, birds, reptiles, or exotic animals of any kind.

Provide financial management, bill payment, legal correspondence, or sign documents on an owner's behalf.

Move, store, or clear owner belongings, or manage estate sales.

Make significant repair decisions without owner approval.

We also don't drive owners or guests, prepare meals, or provide childcare or eldercare.

If you're unsure whether something falls within our scope, the right answer is to ask. We'll tell you directly.