How Much to Charge for House Sitting (+Averages Rates for House Sitting)

If you’re considering becoming a professional house sitter, you may be wondering how much to charge for your services.

Some sites like House Sitters America offer accommodation in exchange for your services.

Although unpaid housesitting gigs can be great for travel enthusiasts, you’ll want to get paid if this is your chosen profession.

So how do you determine your standard rate as a pet sitter? We’ll break down the factors involved and share the average housesitting salary and rates in various locations. 

Average Pay for a House Sitter by Location

Like with any job, the annual salary range and rates will vary significantly based on location. Here are some of the estimated rates and salaries for popular areas around the world. 

Average House Sitter Rates Across Various American Cities: 

New York, NY: $27 per hour and $1,068 weekly 

Los Angeles, California: $19 per hour and $760 weekly

Chicago, Illinois: $18.37 per hour and $735 weekly

Charlotte, North Carolina: $17.94 per hour and $718 weekly

Average Rates For House Sitting In The UK. 

London, United Kindom: £12.32 per hour and £50 to £60 per night 

Enfield, United Kingdom: £18.59 per hour £50 to £60 per night

Average Rates For House Sitting In Australia 

Australia: $25 per hour and $40 overnight stay 

Things to Consider When Considering How Much to Charge for House Sitting

There are many factors that affect your rate for house sitting. 

Note: Dont forget to always send your pet sitter instructions form before you arrive at a sit. It will ensure you have all the essential information you need for a sit.

Location

The pay for house sitting can vary from city to city.

For example, busy cities may pay more compared to suburban areas. Make sure to research online to get a good idea of the going rate in your area. Even check online house sitting platforms and local forums to see what others are charging. 

Responsibilities 

The wage will also be impacted by the responsibilities you’ll be tasked with. Some responsibilities should require higher compensation.

Here are some services that the house owner might request: 

• Walk the dog 
• Feed pets 
• Collect mail
• Water plants 
• Lawn mowing 
• Pool cleaning 
• Carpet cleaning 
• Snow clearing 
• Take out trash
• Give a pet a bath 
• Administer medicine to the pet 

You should charge extra for labor-intensive tasks like cleaning, lawn mowing, and bathing a pet.

24-Hour Care 

Some pet owners will request pet services that usually demand additional costs.

For example, some pets require a higher level of care, such as kittens, puppies, pets recovering surgery, and sick or elderly animals. These special-needs animals will likely need 24-hour pet care. 

Additional Pets 

Most sitters will have a different daily rate depending on how many pets they need to provide animal care for.

For example, you may charge an extra $10 to $25 for each additional pet. 

Holidays 

Since holidays are a busy time, you should charge an extra fee for these days. More people go on vacations during the holidays, thus increasing the demand for from homeowners who need a house sitter for their furry friend.

Make sure to have cancellation policies in place so that if they do cancel, you’ll still be compensated. That’s because committing to one client will forgo opportunities with another client. 

Type Of Pet

Some animals will be easier to take care of than others. For example, a cat sitter may charge less than a dog sitter since cats don’t require multiple walks per day.

Duration 

As a professional house-sitter, you should have rates for various types of visits.

This includes a daily visit, drop-in visit, and 30-minute visit. However, generally, you’ll simply need a daily rate for house sitting.

Perhaps, you could give the client a discounted rate for more extended stays, such as weekly or monthly rates. This can incentivize them to have you stay for a longer period of time.

You may also charge more for any additional time requested that wasn’t originally agreed upon, such as emergency visits.

Commuting Costs 

A professional house sitter might charge for travel costs. If an owner asks you to trek an hour to their home, it’s reasonable to ask them to cover public transportation fees or gas bills. 

Size Of The Residence 

The size of the house may also affect the rate. Luxury homes may require larger spaces to clean and look after. 

Provisions 

Some owners will have provisions about their pet or house-related needs. For example, their pet may need to adhere to strict dietary requirements or be given special meals.

Or perhaps, the owner needs you to run errands like grabbing groceries or running to the hardware store to pick up supplies. 

Pre House Sit Interview

It is important to have an interview with potential house sitter before you commit. It may be in-person or via video chat.

We have created questionnaire for both homeowners and house sitter to use.

These questions ensure you gather all the essential information you need to make an informed decision.

 What To Ask Potential House Sitters In The Interview 

 What To Ask Home Owners In House Sitting Interview 

At first, you may charge on the lower end of the spectrum. However, as you build a client base, you’ll be able to increase your rates.

You’ll be able to demonstrate your value to potential clients based on your client references and track record. 

Housesitting can be a gratifying profession, especially since you get paid to play with cute and fluffy fur babies!