F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Home Stewardship Subscription plan cost?
The monthly cost is about the same as hiring a housekeeper, however, the long term savings in maintenance and repairs in invaluable. Pricing is based on square footage and is $250/month for homes up to 2143 sf. We bill after each seasonal service, and you can cancel your subscription without penalty.
What about items not covered in the Stewardship Seasonal Checklists?
Construction items not included on seasonal checklists we call “Special Projects.” For these items we provide you an estimate and contract that defines the scope and duration of work, and a fixed or “not-to-exceed” price. If you decide to proceed a Project Manager assigned to your home will help schedule and drive the project forward with our team of construction experts. We might replace decking or complete a kitchen remodel, replace a roof or install better site drainage, or update ventilation and filtration systems, etc. We are a licensed General (B) Contractor in the state of California.
Can we do a Special Project even if we’re not a Stewardship Client?
Yes, though our Stewardship Clients get priority and better pricing. The majority of our construction projects are for homes that have received an inspection through Healthy Building Science or families that have signed up for Home Stewardship. We find that building a trusting relationship with clients is best for all parties, and we’re more interested in working with families who agree with the long-term philosophy of prescribed and proactive home maintenance.
What is your relationship with Healthy Building Science?
Healthy Building Science, Inc. is the parent organization of Home Stewards. Healthy Building Science is an industrial hygiene (environmental testing and inspection) company that services all building types all over the bay. Much of the HBS client base is commercial, retail and institutional clients in San Francisco, Silicone Valley, and the East Bay. Home Stewards on the other hand focuses on residential maintenance and construction, and we generally limit our services to the North Bay counties of Marin and Sonoma. Home Stewards is essentially a “division” of Healthy Building Science. Our corporate status, insurance, general contractors license, etc., are under the HBS umbrella.
Does your team do all the work, or do you subcontract it out?
Depending on the scope of work we may do all the work in-house with our trained team, or we may bring in our trusted vendors. For larger HVAC, plumbing and electrical projects, for example, we have a collection of professional subcontractors whom we trust to deliver high quality services at fair market rates. You get one point of contact – your Project Manager – and if the project requires subs we manage 100% of their work.
How is this different from hiring a handyman to fix everything as needed?
HBS is a licensed, insured, and bonded General (B) Contractor. Because we have a general contractor’s license we can take on larger projects and we use only licensed professionals as subcontractors. We are also one point of contact for all of your home’s maintenance and repair needs. Also, handymen are usually reactive and respond to problems after they’ve presented. We take a more proactive approach to home inspections and maintenance, and through our comprehensive seasonal checklists we often “fix” problems before you even notice them. The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” rings true for the home maintenance field. We offer prevention and cures (small and large), while handymen focus on small cures.
Maintenance & Subscription Program FAQs
What does the Home Stewardship inspection include?
Our intake inspection includes a 250+ point assessment of your home’s systems covering everything from electrical and plumbing to gutters and ventilation. It’s the first step in building your seasonal maintenance plan.
How often do you visit my home under the Stewardship Program?
We schedule quarterly visits based on seasonal needs ensuring year-round maintenance without you needing to lift a finger.
Can I customize my Stewardship Plan?
While our Stewardship Plans are built around a standardized checklist to ensure consistent care, we offer optional upgrades such as HEPA filtration, water quality systems, and healthy home consultations to address specific concerns or goals you may have.
Home Hardening & Wildfire Protection FAQs
What is home hardening and why is it important in California?
Home hardening is the process of preparing your home to withstand wildfires by reducing flammable materials, sealing vents, maintaining roofs and gutters, and more. It’s critical in high-risk areas like Marin and Sonoma counties.
Do you provide fire risk assessments?
Yes, Home Hardening Assessments start at $200 and evaluate the fire resilience of your home, including vegetation clearance, vent screening, and roofing material inspections.
How can Home Stewards help protect my home during fire season?
Our quarterly service includes gutter cleaning, vegetation management, and HVAC maintenance essential for reducing fire risk and improving air quality during wildfire season.
Special Projects & Remodel FAQs
What types of remodel projects do you take on?
We specialize in health-forward remodels and upgrades, think kitchens, bathrooms, roof replacements, drainage systems, and HVAC upgrades. Every project is scoped with fixed pricing and managed by a dedicated Project Manager.
Can you help with energy-efficient home upgrades?
Absolutely. From insulation and ventilation improvements to appliance upgrades and high-efficiency HVAC systems, we support energy-smart remodeling for long-term savings.
What areas do you service?
We serve San Francisco and the North Bay, including Marin County, Sonoma County, Napa County, and parts of Alameda County. If you’re unsure, give us a call and we’ll confirm availability.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, we are a licensed California General (B) Contractor under Healthy Building Science, Inc. We carry all necessary insurance and use licensed subcontractors when required.
Cost, Value, and Subscription FAQs
Is the Home Stewardship Subscription worth the cost?
Yes, it’s an investment in the health of your family and the value of your home. Regular maintenance helps reduce the risk of major repairs or replacements down the road.
What if I need to pause or cancel my subscription?
You can cancel anytime without penalties. If your needs change, we’re happy to discuss alternative options to ensure your home still gets the attention it needs.
Why not just fix things when they break instead of paying monthly?
Because by the time something breaks, it usually costs more to repair and may already be causing damage. Our clients treat their homes like the long-term investments they are, choosing regular care over costly emergencies.
Can I reduce my service frequency to save money?
We can work with you to adjust your plan if budget is a concern. However, our quarterly visits are designed to align with seasonal risks. Skipping them could mean missing time-sensitive tasks like gutter clearing before rain or ventilation checks before fire season.
Home Value & Asset Mindset FAQs
Why should I spend money on home maintenance if nothing is broken?
Because deferred maintenance is the #1 reason homeowners end up with major repair bills. It’s like going years without a dentist visit & by the time something hurts, the damage is done. We help protect your biggest asset before it becomes a money pit.
What’s the ROI on home maintenance?
Well-maintained homes sell faster, appraise higher, and have fewer issues during inspections. Plus, they save homeowners thousands in utility bills, emergency repairs, and system replacements. It’s one of the smartest investments you can make.
Can I just hire a handyman when something goes wrong?
In California, handymen are limited to minor repairs under $1,000 and typically aren’t licensed or monitored. Larger or more complex projects require a licensed contractor. At Home Stewards, we’re a licensed General Contractor providing professional oversight, long-term planning, and code-compliant execution. We often find ourselves repairing work done by handymen, as our goal is to do it right the first time and protect the value of your home.
Other FAQs
What’s included in a seasonal home maintenance checklist?
We inspect and maintain HVAC systems, gutters, plumbing, electrical panels, appliances, and more, over 250 items are reviewed and serviced on a rotating seasonal basis.
Why is preventative home maintenance important?
Preventative maintenance helps reduce the risk of costly and dangerous issues such as water intrusion, electrical failures, fire hazards, and more. By staying ahead of potential problems, you can better protect your home and its systems over time.
What are the benefits of quarterly home maintenance visits?
With seasonal visits, we handle home upkeep proactively ensuring nothing is missed, and your home stays safe, efficient, and comfortable all year.
