We're going away for 10 days and have someone staying in our house while we're gone, mixture of house sitting and looking after our two dogs.
We'd organised this a couple of months ago. There was no mention of money, just me asking if she was interested and she saying yes. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and she's started a pet minding service on the side from her job. I asked her how much it was going to be for us, and she said that she didn't think it was right to charge us because we'd organised this before she started her business. Which is good, because we'd need quite a bit longer to save up to pay for our dogs to be minded than a couple of weeks.
We'd intended to leave behind some Woolworth's vouchers so she could pay for food, etc while she stayed. I said this to her and she asked for the cash instead, which is fine - doesn't bother me either way. We were planning on $150. The other day she came around to see what was what and mentioned that she'd be charging $20 per day for the business (not charging us, just that's what she planned to set as her fee.) I don't know if this is per animal or what.
So do you think the $150 is still fine? She has the house to do whatever she wishes with, can have people stay if she wants (we know her, member of extended family) and she just has to feed/walk/pooper scoop after the dogs. If I go off her daily fee and assume it's per pet, that's going to be quite a bit of difference.
I think it sounds fine! We've never paid a housesitter as they have always felt like it was a holiday from their homes ITMS. She sounds happy with the setup and you are paying her something to cover her food etc.
Enjoy your trip! x
If she's confirmed that she won't be charging you, I would be happy with just making sure there's enough to cover pet food. I housesat my cousin's house for 3 months and that's all they did, plus a box of choccies
Yep, very generous. I would stock the fridge and tell her to help herself but I wouldn't have offered grocery money. She lives in your house rent and bill free for 10 days, in return she looks after your pets - I think that is a fair exchange not requiring payment.
I too think $150 is very generous. Like others have pointed out, she is already getting free rent and bills for the 10 days, which I would say more than covers the 'job' of looking after the dogs. It leave any money for food (or to even stock the house) would be more than I would ever expect. DH and I house sat for various people we knew a couple of years ago whilst waiting for our house to be built. We had 'jobs' to do at each house but never expected any contribution towards food.
She's saving us over $600 by looking after the dogs, so we wanted to give her something. We decided on the food vouchers because I'd hate to leave stuff here that wouldn't get eaten and then have to be thrown out. We figured this way, she could get whatever she actually wanted. I was worried that the $150 wasn't going to be enough, but you've reassured me that it is plenty She lives at home, so doesn't have to pay rent, etc. DH and I have only ever house sat once before and that was for my dad. We've had people stay here before, one occasion the dogs weren't here but the couple were house sharing and obviously enjoyed their own space while being here and the other time was an immediate family member. There's been lots of break ins in our street lately, so the piece of mind, plus having the dogs cared for (and cared for well by this person) is worth it
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She lives at home, so doesn't have to pay rent, etc. DH and I have only ever house sat once before and that was for my dad. We've had people stay here before, one occasion the dogs weren't here but the couple were house sharing and obviously enjoyed their own space while being here and the other time was an immediate family member. There's been lots of break ins in our street lately, so the piece of mind, plus having the dogs cared for (and cared for well by this person) is worth it
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