Going on a vacation or away on a business trip? You’ll need a pet sitter to care for your fur baby. But you may be unsure about the appropriate amount for house sitter services.
In this guide, we’ll share the biggest factors to consider when determining cost estimates, the average rates based on location, and the average night cost of a housesitter.
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We have found that the average and reasonable cost for a housesitter is $30-$55 per night (as of September 2024).
However, you need to take the factors below into consideration to work out the average cost of a housesitter in your area, as well as the tasks and responsibilities.
Before we discuss the factors, I have included our personal instructions templates. These templates ensure your housesitter has all the information they need to perform the service to the highest degree.
Below, I have also included the questions you should ask a house sitter in the interview.
Note: We recommend using a trusted house-sitting platform to find and hire house-sitters. This ensures they have background checks and you are covered by insurance.
Want our comprehensive checklist and instruction template for your next housesitter/ pet sitter? These templates will ensure your home and pets are cared for exactly how you want them.
They have everything from feeding, sleeping, and walking schedules, vet contacts, bin days, part of the home where the animals are/ aren’t allowed, and dozens more questions.
House/PetSitter Instructions Template – For Home Owners – click here to download
It is essential to interview a potential housesitter before you commit. The interview may be in person or via video chat. We have created a questionnaire for both homeowners and house sitters to use.
These questions ensure you gather all the essential information you need to make an informed decision.
By determining a fair rate to pay your house sitter, you ensure you won’t get charged unfairly for the care provided. If hiring a friend, you want to ensure you’re paying them reasonably.
In contrast, if you plan to hire a professional housesitter, you want to ensure their prices are within the average pay range of other sitters. Here is a list of factors to consider when determining what to pay your housesitter.
The average rate for house sitting will vary significantly based on the geographical location of your home. A professional housesitter will cost more in large urban cities like New York City than in a smaller rural town like Salt Lake City.
For example, the average hourly rate for sitters in Charlotte, North Carolina, is $38 per night. In comparison, the average rate for sitters in New York City is $45 per night.
Researching the rates for an average house sitter in your area is important.
Every house owner has different responsibilities that they need from their house sitter. The more responsibilities you need, the more you will be charged.
Some of the standard services of a sitter include:
Additional services that you may ask your professional sitter to do are:
The level of animal care required should also be a factor in the pet care charge. Some pets require 24-hour pet care, especially for elderly or sick animals, puppies, or kittens.
Also, the type of animal contributes to the cost. For example, a cat sitter may cost less than a dog sitter because cats don’t need to be taken out for walks. Typically, a sitter will charge an extra $5 per visit for each additional pet and another $5 for puppies.
If you require your house sitter to perform cleaning tasks, you’ll want to research the average cost of house cleaning. For example, house cleaning services cost between $25 to $50 per house or about $30 to $50 per room.
The rates for housesitters also depend on the length of time you’re requesting a sitter stay. Overnight stays should be charged as a daily rate, while occasional visits can be charged per hour.
You’ll want to pay a little extra if you’re requesting extended time, emergency, late-night, or holiday visits. Also, decide whether you need your sitter for daily visits or have them stay at your house while you’re gone.
Consider whether you’re providing any amenities or services for the sitter. For example, you may be providing them with a kitchen, WiFi, and swimming pool access, which allows the sitter to enjoy their stay. You could offer these amenities and utilities in exchange for light chores.
Consider the distance and costs for the sitter to commute to your home. Calculate the public transportation fees or gas that it would cost the sitter.
It’s entirely up to you to factor transportation costs into the rate you’re paying. However, if you’re asking a sitter to commute over an hour to your house, it’s worth compensating them for it. If your hiring an international house sitter, you may want to discuss transport costs.
Experienced housesitters generally charge more due to their higher level of expertise. That’s because they may have other valuable skills that can come in handy such as:
Finding a professional sitter with lots of experience means they likely have many happy customers. You can search for their reviews on house sitting sites and see what others have said of their services.
First, you’ll need to determine where you’ll want to look for a house sitter.
To find a house sitter, you have many options, such as:
Remember that finding a sitter in a city is much easier than in a small suburban area. Once you have a handful of sitters, you can narrow your choice by vetting them individually.
Here are factors to account for when choosing the right house sitter:
Before you decide to tip your house sitter, make sure they’ve done everything you’ve agreed upon. If they’ve gone above and beyond, consider tipping 15% to 20% of the total bill.
In addition, if they went through extra trouble to care for your pet, such as rushing them to the emergency vet, you may consider tipping them more. Tipping is a personal preference, so the choice is yours!
When you’ve decided on your rate, ensure the detailed fee structure is enlisted in the contract. Also, schedule a meet and greet and provide adequate instructions to ensure everything runs smoothly. Not sure when to pay the pet sitter? This will help you make a decision.
Pet owners care for their pets and want to keep their pups or kitties happy while they’re away. Finding the perfect house sitter will help ease your anxiety about leaving your fur baby for an extended period.
If they do a great job, they can become a long-term house sitter you can call upon for future trips!
Author: Britt
I am Britt. I have been house-sitting and pet-sitting for the past seven years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats, one turtle, and one rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.
The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been extraordinary.
I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters through house-sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters and Trusted House Sitters. This unique way of living has allowed me to save money on accommodation, explore new cultures, and meet new people.
Being a member of these platforms has broadened my horizons and opened doors to short- and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well-maintained.
I get many questions about how to start as a housesitter, so please reach out if you have any questions! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!
You can read more about Jay and me here!
