Home maintenance companies are always looking for ways to distinguish themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, HPS Palo Alto, Inc. sets itself apart by providing a one-of-a-kind home preservation service that’s as comprehensive as it is innovative: the PlanetHome Concierge program, which bundles 260 service tasks and inspections that are designed to maintain clients’ homes, reduce their energy usage, preempt costly repairs, arrest property deterioration and ensure the highest equity values. “The formula for our success is simple: Do it better than anybody else, even if nobody else is doing it,” says General Manager Mike Ellerin. “Once our clients embrace the idea of a preventative home maintenance service, the rest is just about following through.”

Unlike less experienced home maintenance companies that strive to maximize their workload volume but sacrifice customer service in the process, HPS Palo Alto focuses on building close relationships with its customers to ensure each account is treated with care and consistency. “Few companies have the expertise or willingness to systematically care for people’s homes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” says Mr. Ellerin. “Our technicians are trained to protect our clients’ investments and make their lives less stressful so they can enjoy the comfort of their homes.”

Another distinguishing feature of HPS Palo Alto is the emphasis it places of prevention, which includes keeping a close eye on each client’s property to catch potential problems before they become too costly. “As we’re performing basic maintenance steps like replacing filters, repairing hardware and flushing water heaters, we’re also systematically inspecting the home for signs of deterioration,” explains Mr. Ellerin. “This is really what makes our service so valuable–our technicians catch most issues when they’re inexpensive to repair or before they’re even needed.”

It’s never too late or too early to start a relationship with a home maintenance company. The main difference between a company that provides home maintenance services and a handyman or building contractor is the emphasis the former places on prevention. While a handyman or contractor is able to perform home repairs with varying skill and reliability, neither tends to be proactive in preventing the need for repairs in the first place. A home maintenance company, on the other hand, primarily focuses on preventing common household problems that require expensive repairs if left unattended.
A home maintenance service is able to perform the same tasks and repairs as a handyman or building contractor but gives equal attention to inspection, systematically examining the fixtures and systems in a home in order to catch potential problems before they occur. Problems such as dry rot and undetected leaks simply shouldn’t happen under the watchful eye of a good home maintenance service. If you’re concerned about the integrity of your home or simply want to keep it in optimal condition, consider signing up for a regular maintenance plan.
One of the most important areas of your home to have regularly inspected is the plumbing system—in addition to pipes that bring water to faucets and toilet reservoirs, this includes water lines that serve icemakers, instant hot water taps and filtered water systems. Since most of your home’s plumbing system is hidden from view, leaks and other system failures can cause a lot of damage in a short period of time, which is why early detection is so important. Look for signs of moisture, mold, water damage, aged fixtures and piping, clogs, rusted traps and faulty shut-off valves. The best way to avoid plumbing issues altogether is to have a home inspection company test and service your plumbing once a year.

Q: If I sign up for a maintenance program, how often do you need to come to my home?

A: We perform a maintenance check four times a year, timed with the season. In the spring, we do things related to summer entertaining; in the fall, we prepare for the coming rains. We perform some tasks more than once a season, like gutter cleaning.

Q: Do I have to be home while you’re working?

A: No. Our technicians are very trustworthy and know exactly what needs to be done to your house. In fact, we have the keys to about 85 percent of our clients’ homes, which gives you an idea of how much they trust us. Also, we make sure to document each visit with a follow-up email or report.

Q: Do I have to use your company if you find problems that need to be repaired?

A: No. You retain the right to choose any company you want to make repairs in your house. The basis of each of our contractual relationships is as a maintenance and care service. Many of our clients choose to have us follow through and fix their problems, but others choose to have another company do it.

Q: Is there a benefit to having your company handle my repairs instead of an outside service?

A: Yes. Since we already know the details of your house, we can often handle the repairs much quicker than an outside company. When electricity needs to be shut off, we know where the electrical panels are. When water needs to be shut off, we know the specifics of your house’s plumbing system. Also, because we maintain an ongoing relationship with each client, we’re able to offer very affordable rates and stand behind every repair.

Q: How much do you charge for repairs?

A: For less complicated work like pressure washing or painting, we charge $75 an hour. For more extensive repairs such as electrical work or cabinetry repairs, we charge $95 an hour. Most of our services are in the $89 range, and all work can be done on a bid basis.