I have a friend who has been doing quite a bit of house sitting lately. She's been using my guest room as a base, but is mostly out at other homes. She also has a regular job, but it does depend on good weather. I think she could make a killing by house sitting, but she needs to come up with a price list and a list of what she will and will not do. For instance, she took care of a woman's 8 month old puppy, who was an enormous amount of work, much more than the $20/day she was getting (she was also caring for 2 horses and a couple of cats). Right now she's taking care of several dogs and a 12 horses and only getting $25/day. She's very shy so she won't speak up and ask for more (she basically lets the client decide how much they want to pay). I think having a list would make her job easier and she wouldn't get ripped off.

For those of you who use (or are) a house or pet sitter, how much do they charge, and do they have a flat rate, or do they charge per animal?

Thanks so much!!

I'm paying someone $25/day to stay here and take care of two cats/one dog - but it's just "on the side" for her ... basically she'll just use this as home base and live here, do her laundry, eat here, etc. so she's not using elec, water, etc. at her own apt. (that she shares with a roommate)...

I give my cousin 20 a week to take care of 2 cats while I'm gone, but they go over to his place, so there's not any housesitting involved. The prices you suggested seem very low for housesitting/caring for plants/animals, especially large animals, and those you have to walk. For the pets I suggest charging what a kennel/or stable would charge to house them, and if they say that's too high remind them that they're getting the housesitting and piece of mind that they wouldn't get if their house was empty when they were gone.

I have a petsitter for my 3 dogs and 1 horse. She charges $26 (Canadian) per visit.

The horse is low maintenance - just hay and grain morning and evening.

The dogs get fed once a day, and she takes them out for a run/walk/play ball.

Jeeeez wish I would have known that a year ago! I stayed at a farmhouse with no TV for 3 weeks caring for two horses, 2 dogs, 23 cats, 4 turkeys and a flock of chickens, when the owner got back she gave me a windchime from her travels!

hehee, well it was a little farm vacation for me.

nothing to add, just wanted to comment

Thanks so much for your replies! It really will help us come up with a price list and hopefully she'll really be able to make some money at this!

BigBlueStar-I just have 4 horses, a dog and a few cats, and that's a big job! Did you like the windchime, at least?