Getting Started with Shipshape

Overview

Getting started with Shipshape takes just a few minutes. Whether you were invited by your service professional or discovered Shipshape on your own, the setup process is straightforward. This guide walks you through each step from downloading the app to having your home fully managed by SAM.

What Is Shipshape?

Think of Shipshape as a check-engine light and a vehicle history report for your home. It lets you monitor your home's appliances and systems and know, in real time, whether they are working properly.

For homeowners, that means:

• Peace of mind that your waterproofing, crawl space, and air quality systems are working, with remote monitoring from your phone.
• Early notice of high-risk conditions in your home, such as high humidity, standing water, and leaks.
• Early notice when an appliance breaks down, such as a sump pump or dehumidifier.
• Recommended maintenance and help troubleshooting when something goes wrong.

Who Installs Shipshape?

Most homes get Shipshape through a local dealer, such as a waterproofing, crawl space, or HVAC company. Your installer, a technician from that company, installs the gateway and sensors and sets them up in the app. Shipshape itself does not employ installers.

• To book an installation, use the appointment option in the app or call your dealer's office.
• To set it up yourself, buy a Shipshape kit, create your home in the app, and follow the guides in this Help Center, starting with Connecting Your Shipshape Gateway. Our team can walk you through it if you get stuck.
• To get ready for an installer's visit, see Preparing for Your Shipshape Installation.

Shipshape is available in the United States. Not sure which option suits you, or whether a dealer serves your area? Contact us and our team will help.

Step 1: Download the App

Download the Shipshape Home app from the Apple App Store or Google Play:

• Search for "Shipshape Home", or use the App Store or Google Play
• Create your account with your email address
• If your service professional invited you, use the invitation link they sent — it will automatically connect your account to their business

Step 2: Create Your Home Profile

Set up your home's digital identity:

• Enter your address — Where Shipshape has property data for your address (such as year built and size), it fills it in for you
• Confirm property details — Review and adjust the pre-filled information. Add details like number of floors, garage type, and basement if applicable
• Name your home — If you manage multiple properties, give each one a recognizable name (e.g., "Main House," "Lake Cabin")

This step takes about 2 minutes. You do not need to know every detail — your profile will continue to build over time.

Step 3: Scan Your Equipment

Build your equipment inventory using Shipshape's AI:

• Self-scan option — Walk through your home and use Scan Appliance Plate in the app (Appliances tab > +) to photograph the data plates on major equipment (water heater, HVAC unit, electrical panel, major appliances). Shipshape's AI identifies each item, reads the model and serial numbers, and estimates the age automatically
• Professional scan — Your service professional performs a comprehensive scan during their next visit, using the same AI tools with their trained eye for condition assessment. This produces the most complete and accurate inventory

From the photo of each data plate, the AI fills in:

• Make, model, and serial number
• Manufacture date

Shipshape then works out the appliance's age and expected lifespan from its type and dates.

Even a partial scan is valuable. You can add equipment over time, and your service professional will fill in gaps during assessments.

Step 4: Your Service Company

If a service company set up Shipshape for you, your home is already connected to them. They can see your home's alerts and equipment, so they can reach out when something needs attention.

Don't have one yet, or want to change it? Contact support and tell us which home.

You can also keep your own list of companies, like your plumber or pest control, under Manager → My Providers in the app. That list is for your reference. Adding a company there doesn't give it access to your home's alerts or data.

Step 5: Monitoring Hardware Setup (Optional)

Add 24/7 monitoring for real-time protection:

• Discuss with your service professional — They will recommend the right monitoring kit for your home based on your equipment and priorities
• Professional installation — Your installer installs the sensors during a visit
• Gateway setup — Your installer connects the Shipshape gateway to your home internet router with a network cable
• Activation — Sensors begin reporting data to SAM immediately, and alerts work from the start

Monitoring hardware is optional but unlocks the most powerful layer of SAM's protection: real-time anomaly detection, efficiency tracking, and immediate leak alerts. See the monitoring hardware guide for full details.

Step 6: Set Notification Preferences

Customize how SAM reaches you. In the app, open the Menu, tap your name (Manage your Account), then tap Settings and Notifications:

• Alert levels — Alerts come in three levels: Low, Medium and High. For each level, turn Push, Email and Phone calls on or off. Phone calls need a membership and a verified phone number
• Email preferences — Choose which Shipshape emails you get
• Suppress Push Notifications — Pause push notifications for 6 or 24 hours

You can change these at any time. See Notification Settings for the full guide.

What Happens Next

Once your home is set up, SAM gets to work:

• Immediate — You receive your initial Home Health Score based on the equipment information available
• As you add appliances — Recommended maintenance tasks for each one appear in Maintenance Tasks
• Ongoing — SAM monitors continuously, sending alerts when something needs attention and building a deeper understanding of your home over time
• Each service visit — Your Home Health Record grows richer, making SAM's recommendations more accurate and relevant

Tips for Getting the Most from Shipshape

• Complete your profile — The more equipment SAM knows about, the better it can protect your home
• Schedule a Home Health Assessment — A professional assessment gives you the most accurate starting Health Score
• Act on alerts — When SAM flags something, addressing it promptly prevents small issues from becoming expensive problems
• Keep records — Upload warranties and invoices to each appliance's Attachments, and log service in Service Records, for a complete home history
• Talk to SAM — Use the chat feature to ask questions about your home

Need Help?

• Chat with SAM — Ask SAM any question about how the platform works
• Contact us — Contact us for additional support
• Your service professional — Your connected pro can help with equipment questions and monitoring setup