hi,

I've been asked to house sit for 3 weeks, living in to make sure no burglars break in. The owner owns a few cats I would have to take care of and they asked me how much am I willing to take for payment. I have taken care of the cats before but Ive never stayed overnight before. How much should I charge? per night or for the three weeks?

Thanks

Ask for what you consider to be a fair rate for doing a good job.

Seriously, the price here varies enormously, and after looking around we still opted to fly our UK pet sitter in to make sure our animals were happy. Her passion and commitment were priceless (but not super expensive ).

For receiving 3 weeks free accommodation, I wouldn't charge anything.

The OP isn't 'receiving free accommondation' - she is taking on a job, and a 24/7 one at that. In addition to ensuring that that the pets are fed, cleaned up after, played with, kept happy and content, she must be ready and able to handle any emergency that comes up, either with the pets or the house. She is taking on a great deal of responsibility - for which she deserves to be well paid.

I once did a 30 day assignment in Davos ( December 2009 ) culminating in early January 2010 taking car of fishes and 3 cats. The agreed figure was CHF1,350 all inclusive i.e. the owners stocked up the fridge and necessary supplies. The money was left on the table and key given a week prior to departure whilst getting to know the pets and their environment.

This included managing the snail mails, cleaning the litter, feeding, emergency liaison with their vet, watering of the plants, sending them pictures every day of their pets by email etc. The rate per day was CHF45 and I came back one every 2 days to my own place in Zürich for a couple of hours. Travel time was 2.5 hours each way.

As the owners got slightly delayed ( 3 days later ) in returning and the assignment was thus extended, the rate for extended day was agreed to CHF50 per extra day considering the distance.

It would have been cheaper had it been nearer, perhaps at a different season ( as holiday season and distance prevented taking up shorter assignments that were much nearer ).

That's so cute! I want you to pet sit my doggie! Are you good with badly behaved chihuahuas?



Anyway, I agree with MC, the OP should be compensated. She may be living in the house for free but she still paying rent a her place plus doing all the work listed.

Alice, did the not give you ANY indication of what they wanted to pay? Seems a bit awkward. Do let up know what happens.

Sure, why not

Are you still petsitting? We have been using the sitter from Kilchberg who does a decent job, but would love to cut some cost and give the job to a felllow EFer

Out of interest, who are you using and how much you paying?