Advice on Pet/House Sitting Rates

[Jessika]

Hello all, I'm not sure how many will remember me as it's been nearly 3 years since I've last posted, but I had a question and figured this would be one of the best places to ask!

I am currently doing some pet and house sitting jobs. The ones I have now are jobs I've "taken over" from co-workers who can no longer do them. Being new to this, I've charged them what my co-workers have been charging them for the same jobs. However, I've spoken with some people and they seem to think for my overnight stays I should be charging a lot more than I have been.

So my question to you: how much do you think is a fair price to charge for house or pet sitting? Understand that I am an RVT with 3+ years experience (excluding school) currently working at a small animal clinic for 2+ years and I am experienced with dealing with sick, critical, injured animals; can administer any form of medication (even with difficult pets... try hitting an angry cat with an insulin needle... ), have a reliable form of transportation in case an emergency arises. I will keep the house tidy, bring in mail, water plants, bring in newspapers, etc. I am also familiar and comfortable with feeding/handling most small animals (reptiles, rodents [not hamsters, admittedly, I've never handled one that hasn't bit me ]).

So what do you think a fair price would be for A) once a day visits, B) twice a day visits, C) overnight stays, D) once or twice a day visits with special instructions [taking the dog on a 30 minute walk twice a day, etc, anything above just feeding/watering/letting them outside to run around for a bit]. Also, would you factor distance in to the price you're willing to pay (I currently have a 44 mile round-trip to work every day...).

Any advice, thoughts, suggestions would be fantastic. I figured I have such a broad group of people here from so many different backgrounds, you would be the best audience to ask

Hope everyone is doing well!!!!!

[Karen]

Do you have a local Small Business Association? They might be able to help you find out. You could also check online and offline listings, on Craigslist and local newspapers for pet sitters and house sitters, and see what they charge. You can always call, and ask as if you are a potential client! I am sure it varies from region to region. Do ask some of your clients for written recommendations, and just keep a folder of those.

[Randi]

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I posted this in another thread recently. An American girl I know started her own cat-sitting business here. It's in English, also.

http://www.bricksite.com/creaturecom...ature-comforts

[Edwina's Secretary]

I pay $15.00 a day for someone to come to the house, feed, clean the litter box and paly for a bit with Edwina and Eddie once a day. Now Edwina needs daily medicine I do not know what she will charge.

She has a fee structure. I recall it is $30 for overnight.

As for distance - I would only consider paying more for distance if I am the one at distance - that is if I lived far out in the country or the like. Otherwise, the sitter's commute is not soemthing I should pay for.

[Jessika]

I had to convert a couple of prices on that page to USD, but those prices are generally what I've been told I should be charging. Currently the 3 jobs I've had has been staying overnight with 2 dogs for $30/night; swinging by 2x daily to feed/play with/clean litter box for 4 cats and give insulin to 2 cats for $30 a day, and another client paid $25/day to swing by and care for her 9 cats once (that was a LOT of litter to scoop, lol). So I guess those prices are on-par. I'm considering leaving my prices the same for the daily visits ($15/visit I'm thinking up to a certain number of animals) but upping my overnight prices (the one overnight I did, he left me no food, nothing, the bed was even broken and I had to sleep on the couch... but the dogs were angels!).

So here's another thought -- if you wanted someone to stay overnight, do you think it is your responsibility to supply them with food, snacks, beverages, etc, or do you feel that is the sitter's responsibility? Would you consider paying more if they provided their own food?

Another thought I was dealing with is that any job I do has to be convenient for me because I do have a full-time job I need to be at as well.

Thanks for your input so far

[Karen]

With anyone staying overnight, I would expect them to provide their own food - as I wouldn't know what other people want to eat, or could eat, and tell them they are welcome to the beverages in the fridge door, or whatever.