Maintenance Plan
- Preventive Care
- Emergency Services
- Additional Services
- Improvements
- Construction Management
- Satisfaction Guarantee
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FAQ
- What is included in my Home Maintenance Plan?
- How often will you visit my home?
- Are estimates free?
- Are there minimum or travel charges?
- Is there an extra charge for Emergencies or After Hours?
- How do you screen your Service Partners (subcontractors)?
- Will you work on my house if I don’t want the Home Maintenance Plan?
- How will I be charged for non-stock items?
- Do you provide referrals to your service providers?
- When is a hot water heater flush recommended?
- What is included in my Home Maintenance Plan?
Your Home Maintenance Plan is the basis of our relationship, which we hope will be a long one. Your plan includes the following exclusive benefits:
- We are on-call for you 7 days a week, whether it be an emergency repair, or just a general improvement. We return phone calls right away, so you never have to wait for a contractor or wonder who to trust.
- Access to our highly qualified craftsmen and preferred service providers at our preferred rates means the highest quality work at the very lowest rate.
- Our Satisfaction Guarantee means that we stand behind all of the services we provide and you can have confidence that should any problem arise, our relationship with you means more than any one job.
- All labor for basic preventive maintenance is included with your Home Maintenance Plan - How often will you visit my home?
Your Home Maintenance Plan is designed to protect your most valuable asset by making sure that your home receives the proper care to keep its systems running safely and efficiently and to proactively identify and correct potential problems. Generally, our goal is to visit your home every 30 to 60 days, but at a minimum we will visit once per quarter (90 days). Please note that different tasks are done with different periodicity, and each home is different with it's own unique requirements. Also, to be efficient and lower costs, we try to combine the preventive maintenance with other services. Always remember, if you require any services at any time, we are only a phone call away and will gladly schedule a visit at any time upon request, subject to the one hour minimum.
- Are estimates free?
In most cases, we can provide a free verbal ballpark cost for any project suitable for your general planning purposes. However, for a detailed written estimate, we may charge for time spent investigating or researching an issue, consulting with you on your options, measuring or identifying specific materials, or meeting with service providers onsite. Charging this time helps us keep our rates as low as possible by attributing costs where they are incurred. We will not charge you for time spent preparing the written estimate.
The cost of the estimate will be included in the general project management estimate line item so that you can be confident in the total recommended budget for your project. This allows for "apples to apples" comparison with other quotes, and prevents unexpected charges on your bill.
Our goal is that at the end of a job when you add up all of the expenses you will find that we provide outstanding service at a very reasonable rate. All contractors incorporate the considerable costs of preparing estimates into their prices. In keeping with our philosophy, our approach is to make the costs completely transparent and equitable. This means we will never try to "sell" you a job you don't need and we will never tell you that a job is too small to be worth our while. We are firmly committed to a long term relationship with you, our client, and will always seek to provide the best information available so that you can make informed decisions.
- Are there minimum or travel charges?
There are never travel charges and only a minimum of one hour if you request a handyman service between your regular quarterly visits. You can help us keep our costs lower by combining the small tasks to be done with your preventive maintenance, while keeping your flexibility to schedule more urgent tasks or to have more frequent visits as your home demands. The one-hour minimum does not apply to follow-up visits for an ongoing task.
- Is there an extra charge for Emergencies or After Hours?
If we come to your home for an emergency service after regular business hours (M-F, 8am - 6pm, excluding holidays), there is an Emergency Fee of $50. You will be charged regular hourly rates for all work performed, subject to the one hour minimum. You will not be charged the Emergency Fee if the service is performed the next business day, and we will make every effort to give you priority scheduling. After hours phone support for emergencies is billed at regular rates with no minimums or Emergency Fee.
- How do you screen your Service Partners (subcontractors)?
Our trusted service partners are required to commit to our stringent standards of quality and customer service. They must be licensed, have proof of insurance, and a clean record with the Better Business Bureau and the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. We also rely on our extensive network of trusted contacts throughout the home improvement industry. Occasionally, our clients even refer us to firms that they have had success with in the past. We generally prefer to work with established firms who are large enough to handle the workload we send them, but small enough that we know the owner/manager is just one phone call away. Finally, we are constantly seeking to negotiate the best terms for our clients and looking for partners who appreciate the win-win our business model has to offer.
- Will you work on my house if I don’t want the Home Maintenance Plan?
Depending on our schedule, we may or may not be able to provide services to non-members, so feel free to contact us. Our main priority however will always be to provide exceptional service to our clients.
- How will I be charged for picking up job materials?
We designate materials/parts under two classifications: On-the-Job and Flat Rate.
Items fall under On-the-Job when the item is considered time sensitive and require immediate urgency to furnish and install. You will be charged at the same quarter-hour rates as if our craftsman were at your home.
Items marked as Flat Rate are designated when supplies are not time sensitive, do not require a special trip, or have been purchased at a regular retailer prior to your scheduled service. The current flat rate is $30.00. Please note there is no material pickup charge for routine materials we supply for preventive maintenance (e.g.: filters, batteries, light bulbs, etc.).
- Do you provide referrals to your service providers?
We don't generally provide referrals to our service providers as we strive to provide full service to you, our client, and we take great pride in the value we add to your project, often at little or no additional cost. We are always happy to review your project with you and provide a quote.
- When is a hot water heater flush recommended?
Most quality water heaters have a brass drain valve and we recommend a yearly flush to prolong the life of the tank. A water heater flush is simply draining sediment within the tank to prevent corrosion. There is no need to fully drain and refill the tank. It is sufficient to allow the water to drain until it is clear of sediment.
If the water heater has a plastic drain valve, we do not perform a yearly flush without client approval. While it is not probable for the plastic valve to break, it is possible and we are not be responsible if the shut off valve fails.
In our experience, once a plastic drain valve is opened (at any age) there is the potential for drips. Often times if a leak occurs, it can be capped. However, if a plastic thread is stripped, then it is impossible to cap. To our knowledge, warranties on hot water heaters only cover the tank, not the valve.
Clarendon Home Services
800 N Highland St
Arlington, VA 22201
703-351-7600
Serving: Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, McLean & Great Falls