Calgary Home Watch for Snowbirds & Vacant Homes

Insurance-compliant inspections, time-stamped photo reports, and emergency response — by a local, bilingual (English/French) professional.

We watch over your nest.

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About Us

About Owl Watch: Expertise You Can Trust

A Family Commitment

Owl Watch is a family-owned business born from a simple goal: providing Calgary homeowners with the same peace of mind we sought for ourselves. After relocating from Quebec to South Calgary with our two teenagers, our family founded this service on the values of trust, reliability, and integrity. We understand that your home is more than just a building—it is your "nest" and your most significant investment.

An Exceptional Professional Background

What sets Owl Watch apart is the multidisciplinary expertise of its founder, Joël Richard. He combines four key pillars of knowledge to ensure the comprehensive protection of your property:

Technological & IT Mastery: With a diploma in Computer Science, Joël ensures your home is monitored with digital precision. Whether it's verifying smart security systems, Wi-Fi connectivity, or connected devices, his expertise ensures your technology works for you, even in your absence.
Security & Investigations: As a former co-owner of S.E.I. Inc. (Security, Enquiries, Investigations), Joël applies a rigorous inspection methodology. His experience in security management and investigative techniques allows him to proactively identify vulnerabilities and risks.
RE/MAX Real Estate Expertise: Having served as a RE/MAX real estate agent, he understands the true value of your investment. He ensures your property remains in peak condition to preserve its capital and satisfy the strict requirements of your insurance provider.
Technical & Maintenance Proficiency: Drawing from a background in carpentry and current expertise in building maintenance, Joël possesses a "technical eye." He doesn't just watch your home; he understands its mechanics—from the furnace and plumbing to the overall structural integrity.

Our Promise

We are your neighbors in Legacy, Yorkville, Silverado, Belmont... Choosing Owl Watch means choosing a professional with digital intelligence, a real estate expert’s vision, and the discipline of a security specialist to watch over your nest as if it were our own.

Why Owl Watch Home Services

Certified Inspections

In Alberta, many insurance policies require a home check every 48 or 72 hours during the winter. We schedule your visits to match your policy and provide time-stamped digital photo reports to support your coverage in the event of a claim.

Technological Expertise

With formal training in IT, we make sure your home network stays stable. We manage your smart home devices and can intervene remotely to reboot your systems whenever necessary.

Drone Innovation

Following a hail or wind storm, we use micro-drones to inspect the condition of your roof and gutters without risking damage to your shingles by climbing on them.

Our Services

Interior Inspection

Checking the furnace, water heater, faucets, windows, and more.

Technology Support

- Connectivity check for smart cameras and sensors.

Exterior Management

Occupancy simulation, mail collection, bin management, and more.

Aerial Drone Inspection

Drone roof and gutter inspection following wind or hail storms.

Need an extra hand or an on-site presence

Additional Time (Scheduled Tasks): $50 / hr
- (Supervising deliveries, waiting for service technicians, etc.)
Emergency Response (8 AM - 6 PM): $75
- (Includes travel time and the 1st hour on-site)
Emergency Response (Evenings, Nights & Holidays): $125
- (Includes travel time and the 1st hour on-site)

Any subsequent hour during an emergency is billed at $50 (day) or $75 (night/holiday).

Our Plans

Silver Plan

$70 / visit

Frequency: 1 visit per week.
Ideal for: Summer absences, or homes where your insurer allows weekly checks. Please confirm your policy's requirements before choosing this plan. (approx. $300 / month)
Included: Detailed digital report with photos sent after every inspection.

Gold Plan

$60 / visit

Frequency: 2 visits per week.
Ideal for: Winter absences — meets the 72-hour check required by many insurance policies.Visits are scheduled so no more than 72 hours pass between inspections. (approx. $520 / month)
Included: Detailed digital report with photos sent after every inspection, priority monitoring of critical systems (furnace, water heater)

Platinum Plan

$55 / visit

Frequency: 3 visits per week.
Ideal for: Policies requiring a 48-hour check, "Deep Freeze" periods, high-value properties, or long-term absences. (approx. $715 / month)
Included: Detailed digital report with photos sent after every inspection, exterior envelope check after every storm or high-wind event, priority monitoring of critical systems (furnace, water heater)

Important Note: The listed rates are base prices provided for informational purposes. The final amount may vary depending on specific criteria unique to your situation, such as the size of the residence, the number of plants requiring care, the number of vehicles to manage, and the property's distance. Every "nest" is unique, which is why we always confirm the final price during your personalized estimate.

Better Together. Safer Together.

The Nest-to-Nest Discount

We believe a watched street is a safer street. Sign up for any of our Home Watch plans and refer a neighbor on your street to do the same.

You BOTH save 10% on your service for as long as you are both active clients. It’s our way of rewarding community security.

A La Carte Menu (Add-ons)

Enhance your protection with our specialized expertise.

The Sky Eye (Aerial Expertise) — $75 / flight

High-resolution drone inspection of roof and gutters after severe weather.

The Bin Butler (Waste Management) — $25 / trip

Taking bins in/out according to the City of Calgary schedule to maintain a "lived-in" look.

The Tech Check (Connectivity Support) — $35 / visit

Verification and reboot of routers, cameras, and smart home systems.

The Grocery Hero (Restocking) — $75 + cost of groceries

A fully stocked fridge with fresh essentials ready for your return.

The Warm Start (Vehicle Care) — $20 / month

Battery maintenance and fluid circulation for stored vehicles.

The Green Care (Plant Maintenance) — $15 / visit

Regular watering of indoor plants and planters according to your specific instructions, ensuring your home stays vibrant and green until you return.

The Digital Sentry (24/7 Active Monitoring) — $20 / month

A technological safety net that never sleeps.

Strategic Deployment: Installation of smart sensors at critical points (water leaks, freeze alerts).
Direct Alerting: Alarms are routed directly to our control console for immediate response.
Emergency Response: Should a sensor trigger an urgent site visit, a fee of $75 (Day) or $125 (Night/Holiday) applies, including the first hour on-site.

Why choose our rates?

Premium Positioning & Expertise

Unlike basic home-sitting services in Calgary, Owl Watch provides comprehensive technical management. Our rates reflect professional expertise that goes far beyond a simple visual presence, ensuring the real protection of your most valuable assets.

Insurance-Aligned Scheduling

In Alberta, an unsupervised absence can affect your insurance coverage in the event of freezing or water damage. Owl Watch adjusts the frequency of your visits (24h, 48h, or 72h) to match the specific clauses of your policy. We recommend confirming your requirements with your insurer.

Triple Pillar of Skills

Why trust us with your keys? Because we combine high-level Security expertise (formerly S.E.I. Inc.), mastery of Technical Maintenance, and a diploma in IT. We don't just look at your house: we manage your smart systems and your mechanical infrastructure.