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.

Step 1: Download the App

Download the Shipshape Home app from the Apple App Store:

• Search for "Shipshape Home" or visit apps.apple.com/app/shipshape-home/id1504558034
• 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 — Shipshape pulls publicly available property data (year built, square footage, home type) to pre-populate your profile
• 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: AI Equipment Scan

Build your equipment inventory using Shipshape's AI:

• Self-scan option — Walk through your home and use your phone camera 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

For each piece of equipment, the AI captures:

• Make, model, and serial number
• Manufacture date (decoded from serial number)
• Expected lifespan and current age
• Efficiency ratings and specifications

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

Step 4: Connect with Your Service Professional

Link your home to a trusted service provider:

• Invitation link — If your service professional invited you, this connection is already established
• Search directory — Browse Shipshape-connected service professionals in your area
• Manual connection — Enter your service professional's business code if they provided one

Once connected, your service professional can:

• View your equipment inventory and Home Health Score
• Receive alerts about your home's systems
• Send you proactive maintenance recommendations
• Schedule service visits through the app

You can connect with multiple professionals for different trades (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.).

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 service pro installs the snap-on sensors during a visit (typically 20-30 minutes)
• Hub setup — The monitoring hub connects to your home WiFi with automatic cellular backup
• Activation — Sensors begin reporting data to SAM immediately. Within a few days, SAM establishes your home's baseline patterns

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 communicates with you:

• Push notifications — Enabled by default for critical and high-priority alerts
• Email digests — Choose daily, weekly, or monthly summary emails
• SMS alerts — Opt in for text messages on critical alerts (safety issues, active leaks)
• Quiet hours — Set times when only critical alerts will notify you
• Alert types — Choose which categories of alerts you want to receive (age warnings, maintenance reminders, efficiency drops, weather alerts, safety alerts)

You can adjust these preferences at any time in the app's Settings section.

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
• Within 24 hours — SAM analyzes your equipment ages and generates any relevant age warnings or maintenance recommendations
• Within 1 week — If monitoring hardware is installed, SAM establishes your home's baseline patterns
• 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, invoices, and service records to your document storage for a complete home history
• Talk to SAM — Use the chat feature to ask questions about your home. SAM gets better at helping you the more you interact

Need Help?

• In-app support — Tap the help icon in the app for guides and FAQs
• Chat with SAM — Ask SAM any question about how the platform works
• Contact us — Reach out at hello@shipshape.ai for additional support
• Your service professional — Your connected pro can help with equipment questions and monitoring setup