FAQ
- Who needs a Personal Concierge?
- What are Lifestyle Management and Concierge Services?
- What kinds of Concierge Programs are available?
- How does a Personal Concierge service work?
- If I sign up for a monthly Retainer package is that the entire cost of the Concierge Service?
- How are these other expenses paid?
- Does unused time carry over to the next month?
- What happens to my account if I come in for several months during Season?
- Do I have to sign a contract?
- What if I want to cancel the engagement?
- What is included in the Absentee Home Check?
- What frequency do you offer for Absentee Home Checks?
- What happens when my retainer subscription expires?
- Are Executive Errands® Concierge Services tax deductible?
- What if I need services for tasks other than labor only?
- Can I work with your Service Providers directly?
- Can I ask a Service Provider to do extra work when they are already at my home? I fully expect to pay for anything extra.
- Will you provide the actual service provider invoice or supplies receipts?
- How do the Gift Certificates work?
Q. Who needs a Personal Concierge?
A: Everyone! If you live here full time and need help organizing your life, if you only live here part time and need someone to watch over your home, if you have a rental property and need local support Executive Errands® is your 'go to' company! Any job big or small, do it right or not at all!
Q. What are Lifestyle Management and Concierge Services?
A: Lifestyle management and concierge services are personalized assistance and support solutions that cater to individuals seeking to enhance their daily lives and manage various aspects of their lifestyle more efficiently. Both aim to provide clients with a dedicated and highly efficient support system, tailored to their unique preferences and requirements.
Q. What kinds of Concierge Programs are available?
A: We offer a variety of Concierge Programs including:
- Non-Member Services - for a one-time service or the occasional service, we offer support based on an hourly fee. There is a one hour minimum
- Retainer Services - A retainer account is an agreement where the client pays a set fee upfront for a specified number of hours of service per month. With a retainer, clients have the benefit of priority access to Executive Errands® expertise and support. Unused hours do not rollover. Hours in excess of the retainer are billed in arrears. There is a yearly admin fee associated with this type of account
- Block Services - A block account is an agreement where the client commits to a block of time in advance and agrees to automatically refill it when it drops below a predetermined amount of time. In our case, the account triggers a refill when it drops to 30 minutes or less. Refills are in the agreed block size plus any deficit. The time in a block never expires. All time is charged in advance.
- Interior Design Services - a Block Account program - Executive Errands® has an interior designer on staff. She not only helps with furniture, fixtures, paint colors and appliances, she also designs custom cabinets
- Corporate Services - We offer a variety of service plan options for businesses who wish to either subsidize or sponsor a Concierge program for their employees. Each program is designed specifically for a given company. For more information or to request a proposal for Corporate Services, please contact us.
-
Country Club or Managed Communities - Usually approved through the Homeowners' Association (HOA) Board of Directors, Executive Errands® 'gives' Concierge services to individual country club and/or managed communities in exchange for promotion as a community amenity.
There is no admin or cost to the HOA and our services may be private labeled in the community if the Board desires. All interactions with homeowners and fee collections are done between Executive Errands® and the homeowner.
Adding Executive Errands® as an amenity does not impact or raise your association dues. You can use us worry free as Executive Errands® names all property management companies 'and Homeowner Association communities as 'additionally insured' and all our subcontractors are insured and name Executive Errands® as additionally insured.
Adding Concierge services as an amenity in a managed community is a wonderful way to enhance the value of living in your community without adding cost or administration. For more information or to request a proposal for this program, please contact us.
Q. How does a Personal Concierge service work?
A: A personal concierge or lifestyle management company offer personalized and comprehensive services to clients, allowing them to focus on what matters most while enjoying the benefits of a well-organized and enriched life. The level of involvement can vary, with some clients requiring ongoing assistance and others seeking help on a project-by-project basis. Regardless, the aim is to alleviate the burden of daily responsibilities and provide personalized solutions that cater to the client's individual lifestyle and preferences.
Q. If I sign up for a monthly Retainer package is that the entire cost of the Concierge Service?
A: Yes and No. Our hourly rates cover only the work done by the Concierge assigned to you. If you only use the Concierge and nothing else, then Yes, the hourly rate should cover the entire cost. But it does not cover vendor/service provider services, the cost of products or services, postage, long distance charges, third party charges or other such expenses which may be incurred in the performance of your specified duties. All reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with performing the services are billed as incurred and may be subject to a convenience fee. (Convenience fees do not apply to concierge hours) .
Q. How are these other expenses paid?
A: All our concierge services are prepaid so our subscribers and customers must maintain an authorized credit card on file and expenses are billed as incurred. Of course, no charges will be made to your credit card without your advance knowledge.
Q. Does unused time carry over to the next month?
A: Retainer account hours do not. Bulk account hours do.
Q. What happens to my account if I come in for several months during Season?
A: If you're a Canadian or any Snowbird who comes in and spends the winter here (whether that is a week or several months), the Block Account will be your best friend.
The hours on a Block Account never expire so when you come into town for any length of time and you let us know you'll be here, not only will your home checks automatically stop until you leave, but your account will just 'sit' until you leave again.
Of course, we are here and you are welcome and encouraged to call your assigned concierge for tasks or errands or Service Provider projects anytime, but if you do not, your account just sits with no time charges until you leave again.
Q. Do I have to sign a contract?
A: The closest thing Executive Errands® has to a contract is a one (1) page document explaining our billing practices and your signature authorization for us to charge your credit card.
Q. What if I want to cancel the engagement?
A: We strive to offer value-added, mutually beneficial services; therefore we do not want someone to be forced to stay with us during a 'notice' period. We understand life changes and those changes may well affect whether you still need Lifestyle Management and Concierge services.
If you need to cancel your engagement with Executive Errands® you may do so without giving notice - all you must do is call or email. The following account closure steps apply:
- Retainer accounts must be reconciled, and any balance due must be paid
- Block accounts offer no refund of unused hours
- Client completes a 'key return' form so we may return keys, transponders, etc
- Open Service Provider invoices must be paid.
Q. What is included in the Absentee Home Check?
A: We start with a 30+ point Absentee Home Checklist and then customize for every client. The more detailed a client is, the better we can meet their expectations.
We complete a task completion form (Activity Report) after each home check. Our database will automatically send you a notice that the home check was completed.
All homeowners have online access to their activity report information via our website. Minimum time for Absentee Home Checks is one half hour but may be more depending on size of home, profile specific customizations, issues or problems that occur between visits, special requests by the homeowner, etc. Executive Errands® takes great pride in caring for your home the same way you would. We are you when you can't be here and we take initiative to maintain your investment to the best of our abilities.
Furthermore, we do not give your keys to anyone, for any reason. If service providers need access to your home, we will let them in and out, but we do not give them your keys. If you need us to provide a key to someone, we shall do so immediately upon your completion of our Key Transfer request form
Q. What frequency do you offer for Absentee Home Checks?
A: Executive Errands® only offers weekly or every other week home checks. If this is a second home, and you engage Executive Errands® for absentee home checks, ask your insurance broker whether they will offer a discount on your homeowner's insurance. They often do for home checks of no more than 2 weeks apart.
Our rule of thumb: Large homes or large homes outside managed communities are checked weekly. Small homes or small homes outside managed communities may be checked weekly or every other week.
Q. What happens when my retainer subscription expires?
A: All client retainer subscriptions are automatically renewed on the anniversary date of their account setup to avoid any interruption in their services.
Q. Are Executive Errands Concierge Services tax deductible?
A: If you have us do tasks in association with your company or as a personal assistant, then our services may well be tax deductible. In fact, many of our clients do treat our services as an 'expense' and therefore as a tax deduction but you should always check with, and take the advice of, your own accountant and/or legal counsel.
Q. What if I need services for tasks other than labor only?
A: Executive Errands® offers all sorts of home maintenance, repair and remodeling services - These are services offered by our Service Providers such as landscaping, auto-detailing, window washers, housekeepers, electricians, roof inspections, HVAC services, etc.
We have a large network of Service Providers who are hand-selected and must meet a stringent set of requirements for customer service, ethical behavior and quality. Each Service Provider is insured properly for their trade and they all name Executive Errands® as additionally insured.
No matter what you might need, Executive Errands® can most likely get it done.
Q. Can I work with your Service Providers directly?
A: In cases where you require a service, we will procure a quote for you, and upon approval, you may find yourself present during the service provider's visit. While in this scenario, you may interact directly with the service provider, all transactions will be processed through Executive Errands®.
We invest significant time, resources, and effort in selecting and nurturing the finest service providers available in the desert region. Each company undergoes a thorough vetting process, and we collaborate closely with them to uphold the reputation of Executive Errands®.
Our roster of vendors is proprietary, and although you are under no obligation to utilize our designated service providers, should you choose to do so, you agree to engage with them through Executive Errands®.
Q. Can I ask a Service Provider to do extra work when they are already at my home? I fully expect to pay for anything extra.
A: Requests for changes to the scope of a project must be directed to Executive Errands® management or the Project Manager, and all modifications must be formally documented. Minor changes may be communicated via email, while significant alterations require submission of an Executive Errands® Change Order.
It is vital for us to maintain control over project deliverables and ensure your consent regarding any adjustments to pricing or scheduling. Our aim is to prevent any surprises for you at the project's completion, such as unexpected charges arising from verbal requests.
Furthermore, experience has shown that Service Providers may overlook informing us of additional tasks requested by clients. Therefore, we kindly request that you refrain from directly instructing Service Providers to make changes or additions. Instead, we appreciate your cooperation in routing all requests through Executive Errands® management or your assigned Project Manager.
Q. Will you provide the actual service provider invoice or supplies receipts?
A: As outlined in our sign-up documents, a standard convenience fee is typically included in most quotes and supply costs. Executive Errands® serves as your designated Service Provider, the entity you've engaged for your needs.
The receipt issued by Executive Errands® serves as the official receipt for the transaction.
Q. How do the Gift Certificates work?
A: There are two ways to get Executive Errands® gift certificates.
-
We have a 'free' Gift Certificate program for Realtors who want to use our Gift Certificate as a thank you for their buyers (or sellers). Each gift certificate offers six (6) hours for the price of four (4) to the recipient. Of course, the buyer may add additional hours at our going hourly rate at the time of request.
To get one (or five) of our free Gift Certificates, just call us at 760.898.9604 and we will bring them to you.
-
For non-realtors, we offer Gift Certificates for purchase. These make ideal gifts for the hard-to-buy-for person who has everything.
The minimum Gift Certificate is for four (4) hours. The hourly rate for Gift Certificates is as defined on our Monthly Plans page. This is the true 'one size fits all' gift and may be given to anyone to redeem as they see fit using our in-house labor Concierge services.
To purchase a gift certificate, call 760.898.9604 or email info@executive-errands.com
Note: These gift certificates have no cash value and may not be applied toward subcontract, Service Provider, or one-at-a-time services.