My family is going on vacation in a couple of weeks and we have a couple of housesitters lined up to stay at our house. We have never had someone come and stay at our house and I am wondering about a couple of things. They will be staying at our house mostly to stay with and care for our two dogs, but also checking the mail, watering plants, and just making it look like someone is here. How much should we pay per day? Should we leave food for them? What kind of limitations should we put on who can come in. We have know the girls for many,many years so I trust them, but I also don't want to leave it wide open for anything to happen. Thanks for your help!
I've been pet sitting for several kitties and some birds. Feed and water twice a day and I have been getting paid $25 a day for making the 2 trips over there each day.
My friends in Virginia pay $40 a day, but their house sitter can go to her regular job and just has to stay the night to be with the dog. I think that is fair if you are not requiring them to stay at your home 24/7. I would let them have access to food in the house. I don't know if I would go out and get extra food, but my cabinet it usually pretty stocked. I wouldn't let anyone else come over. They maybe great girls, but by not letting anyone over you eliminate any worry on your end while you are on vacation.
$25.00 per day and up. Make sure they know the code and password if you have an alarm. It depends on the age about other guests. You have to decide that one. They should be on their own as far as food.
I have house sat many times and had a Bar-b-q-/swim party and we had permission and a blast; but I was married and had cleaned this woman's house for 15 years.
Good Luck!
I have been housesitting for years. It is a side job that I thoroughly enjoy doing. I charge $20 per night per dog so in your case I would charge $40 per night. But if they have never donethis before, you do not have to pay them that much. Regarding food: sometimes people leave me a little bit of cash ($20-30) with a note that says something about getting food that I would like to eat. I have had other families tell me that I'm welcome to eat anything I can find. Either way is fine! But it is not a requirement for the job; it is a treat. I'm assuming these girls are in high school or college which would lead to setting limitations. I would tell them that they can have anyone over of the same sex up to a certain number at a time. I would pay them in the end. If they met all of your expectations, you might give them a little special treat or some extra cash. I hope you have a great vacation!
My family recently went on a 4 day vacation. We hired our friends 16 year old son to house/dog sit. We provided food for the time he was at the house. Set rules that no one was allowed in the house except his parents. Advised him not to answer the phone (he has his own cell phone). We would check messages when we returned. Asked him to please gather the mail and paper. He was excited to be away from his little sisters and to have cable tv. He thought that was payment enough, but we paid him $20.00USD a day.
We have a dog sitter that comes to feed our dog, walk her a few times a day, and sometimes take her to their house for a few hours to hang. We also ask them to get our mail and put it in a pile. We stop our newspapers. We pay that sitter $10 a day; out-of-town one night = 2 days.
I run a babysitting service and also pet/house sit on the side. I have about 6 families that I do this for. I charge $50 for the two pets and that is me doing my thing throughout the day. That price was offered to me at the first 2 places I sat at making sure I was there in the morning and night to take out the dogs (both had 2)
When googling and calling around most places charge $30 for 1 and 2 for $50. Remember the person coming to your house is driving and spending gas, time away from their other priorities etc.
I wouldn't let them bring anyone over and all my parents have always said to help myself to any food.
