Are you going on vacation or a business trip for a longer period of time?
YYou need tofind a pet sittertake care of your fur baby.
However, you may not be sure what the reasonable amount is for house sitting services.
In this guide, we share the key factors to consider when determining cost estimates and average prices by location.
As well as the average overnight cost of a house sitter.

Table of contents
Average cost per night for a house sitter
We have found that the average and reasonable cost for a house sitter is $30-$55 per night.
Considering all of the factors listed below, you might just want to know the average cost of a house sitter.
However, as discussed below, this may vary depending on the factors and tasks required.
Instructional templates for pets/house sitters
Would you like our comprehensive checklist andInstructional template for your next house sitter/pet sitter?
These templates ensure your home and pets are cared for exactly the way you want them to be.
They have everything from feeding, sleeping and walking schedules, vet contacts, garbage days, parts of the house the animals are/are not allowed in, and dozens of other questions.
House/PetSitter Instruction Template - For Homeowners -Click here to download
Interview before the house sit
It's important to interview a potential house sitter before committing. This can be done in person or via video chat.
We have created a questionnaire that both homeowners and house sitters can use.
These questions ensure you gather all the essential information you need to make an informed decision.
What to ask prospective house sitters for an interview
What to ask homeowners in the housesitting interview

Factors to consider
By setting a fair rate for paying your house sitter, you ensure that you are not being unduly billed for the care provided.
When you hire a friend, you want to make sure you're paying them appropriately.
If you mindplanning to hire a professional house sitter,They want to make sure their prices are within the average salary range of other sitters.
Here is a list of factors to consider when determining what to pay your house sitter.

Location
The average house sitting rate varies significantly depending on the geographic location of your home.
A professional house sitter costs more in big cities like New York City than it does 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 nightly rate for sitters in New York City is $45.
It's important to research prices for an average house sitter in your area.
responsibilities
Every homeowner has different responsibilities they need from their house sitter.
The more responsibilities you need, you have to reckon with additional costs. Common sitter services include:
- feed pets
- Walk dogs
- Clean litter box
- aquatic plants
- Bring out the garbage
Additional services you can ask your professional sitter for include:
- collect mail
- snow clearing
- housecleaning
- pool cleaning
- carpet cleaning
- Bringing a pet to their scheduled vet appointmentsDog
The level of pet care required should also factor into the pet care fee. Some pets require 24-hour care, especially for elderly or sick pets, puppies, or kittens.
The type of animal also contributes to the cost. For example, a cat sitter may cost less than a personDog sitterbecause a cat doesn't have to go for a walk.
Typically, a sitter will charge an additional $5 per visit for each additional pet and an additional $5 per visit for puppies.
If you want your house sitter to do cleaning chores, you should research the average house cleaning costs.
For example, house cleaning costs between $25-$50 per house, or about $30-$50 per room.
expenditure of time
House sitting prices also depend on how long you request a house sitter for stay.Overnight staysshould be billed on a daily basis while occasional visits may be billed on an hourly basis.
If you request longer time, emergencies, nighttime or holiday visits, you should pay a little more.Also decide if you need your sitter to make daily visits or if you want them to stay at your home while you're away.

Furnishing
Consider offering any amenities or services to the sitter. For example, you can provide them with a kitchen, wifi, and pool access so that the sitter can enjoy their stay. For example, you could offer these amenities and tools in exchange for light tasks.
The commute
Consider the distance and the cost of driving the sitter to your home. Calculate the public transportation or gas charges it would cost the sitter.
It is entirely up to you to include the cost of transport in the price you pay. However, if you ask a sitter to commute over an hour to your home, it's worth compensating them for it. If you hire oneinternational Haussitter, you may want to discuss the cost of transportation.
experience or skill level
Experienced house sittersusually charge more due to their higher level of expertise.That's because they may have other useful abilities that can come in handy, such as:
- Pet CPR certified
- Trained in first aid for cats or dogs
- house cleaning services
Finding a professional sitter with a lot of experience means they are likely to have many happy clients. You can look for their reviews onHaussitting-Sitesand see what others have said about their services.

How to choose a house sitter
First you need to determine where you want to look for a house sitter.
Tofind a house sitterYou have many options like:
- ask friends and family
- Ask for a referral for a house sitter
- Visiting house sitting websites
Keep in mind that finding a sitter is much easier in cities than in small suburbs.
Once you have a handful of sitters to choose from, you can narrow down your choices by reviewing them one by one. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right house sitter:
- Please check yourreferences.Make sure your customers have a good experience. For example, did they walk home to a messy or clean house?
- Arrange a Meet & Greet.Ideally, you want an in-person interview so you can see how they interact with your pet. If your pet needs to be persuaded to warm up with him, choose someone else. If you have bad feelings towards the person, it is better to cut the connection. You don't want horror stories to happen in your home!
- Make sure their prices match your house sitting costs.The sitter should offer a fair price that fits your budget.
- Check if they feature professional articles.This includes contracts, a cancellation policy and payment arrangements.
How Much Should You Tip a Housesitter?
Before you decide to tip your house sitter, make sure they have done everything you agreed to do. When they're done, consider tipping about 15% to 20% of the total bill.
In addition, you may consider tipping him more if he has had additional difficulties taking care of your pet, e.g. B. Taking him to the emergency vet. Tipping is a personal preference, so the choice is yours!
Once you have decided on your tariff, make sure that the detailed fee structure is entered in the contract. Also, schedule a meet-and-greet and provide proper instructions to ensure everything goes smoothly.Not sure when to pay the pet sitter?This will help you make a decision.
Pet owners care about their pets and want to keep their puppies or kittens happy while they're away. Finding the perfect house sitter will help ease your anxiety about leaving your fur baby for long periods of time.
If they do a great job, they can become onelongtime house sitterto use on future trips!
Author: Brit
Hello! I'm Britt is one of the traveling house sitters. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats, 1 turtle and 1 rabbit in over 40 homes in 15 countries over 5 years.
I'm ready to teach you exactly how to be a house sitter! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle too!
You can read more about itabout Jay and me here!
Or get in touch with meFacebookor in oursHousesitting-Community auf Facebook
FAQs
How much should you give someone for house sitting? ›
As a starting point to keep in mind, typical house sitting rates are in the $25-30/day range, more (around $50) for overnight stays. But this is just a ballpark. We suggest taking the time to calculate a number based on your own house sitting expectations and needs.
What is expected when house sitting? ›You handle the day to day running of the home, such as collecting mail and putting out the bins. You are responsible for cleaning the house to the standard in which you found it and you may also be asked to maintain the lawns and garden, as well as any other jobs you and the owner mutually agree on.
How much does it cost to have someone watch your house? ›We have found the average and reasonable cost for a house sitter is $30-$55 per night. Taking into consideration all the factors below you might just want to know an average cost of a house sitter. However, this can vary as discussed below depending on the factors and tasks required.
Do you pay someone to house sit? ›House sitting is usually an unpaid exchange of services, whereby the house sitter stays in the owners' home and looks after the property, pets and garden in exchange for free, temporary accommodation. There are some professional house sitters who offer their house sitting service for a fee.
How much does a house sitter charge per day? ›Per day - price options:
Option 1 - 1 x FEEDING - R190. Option 2 - 2 x FEEDING - R290. Option 3 - 3 x FEEDING - R365. Option 4 - EVENING HOUSE SITTING - R330 for a house sit (+/- 5.30pm to +/- 8am ) includes feeds.
For a professional pet sitter you should expect to pay $23 – $28 per 15-minute drop in visit and between $35 – $47 per 45 – 60 minute visit. Usually, for a hobby sitter, you will pay about 60-70% of what you would pay a local professional service.
Do you spend the night when house sitting? ›All house-sitters are expected to stay overnight in the homes they are caring for. The amount of time during the day the house-sitter is expected to stay at the actual home will depend on each particular house-sit.
What makes a good house sitter? ›They are Trustworthy & Clean. Last but most certainly not least, all pro house sitters exude a sense of trust. Homeowners must feel they can depend on you, and that you will maintain and protect their home while they are gone. This is the key to a successful and satisfactory house sit.
Do you provide food for house sitter? ›Your house sitter will be staying in your home for multiple days and at least one night, so you should make sure she has food and drinks that she doesn't feel unsure about consuming.
What do you do when someone is viewing your house? ›- Clean and declutter. You want your viewers to be able to imagine themselves living in the property. ...
- Create a neutral environment. ...
- Fresh air. ...
- Know the details. ...
- Make a good first impression. ...
- Give your viewers space.
How much do movies pay to use your house? ›
If you often wonder how much your home or place of business can earn you income as a film production, the quick and general answer is between $1000 to $5000 per day. How to arrive at that number? The industry rate per day is generally your monthly mortage payment.
How do you know if someone is watching your house? ›- Strange Cars Parked in Your Neighborhood. ...
- Strangers Walking Down Your Street. ...
- People Pretending to Conduct a Survey. ...
- People Pretending to Sell You Something. ...
- Strangers With an Emergency or in Need of Help. ...
- Strangers Taking Pictures of Your Home. ...
- Random Flyers Showing Up on Your Door.
Your house sitter is always on hand to organise repairs in the event of a minor or major emergency in your home during your absence. If there's a power outage you won't be smelling the contents of your freezer two blocks before you arrive home.
Where does a house sitter sleep? ›If you're wondering about house sitting etiquette on where to sleep, it is most common for the sitter to sleep in the owner's bed. Some owners prefer the house sitter to sleep in a spare room instead of their own, and this can be nicer for the house sitter if there is wardrobe space available.
Is house sitter legit? ›HouseSitter.com has a consumer rating of 2.33 stars from 6 reviews indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. HouseSitter.com ranks 68th among Jobs Other sites.
How does house sitting on Rover work? ›As others have said, each "night" of house sitting includes up to 24 hours of pet care. You don't have to stay in the house 24/7, but you should be there a majority of the time. You can use it as a base of operations to walk or do drop-ins for other dogs.
How much does it cost to have your dog looked after? ›Average dog sitting rates
According to research completed by Thumbtack, the average dog sitter rate in the US is around $20 to $40 a day.
Night time house sitting only , with 1 pet: R 350 per night. Night time house sitting only, add R 50 per extra pet above 1 pet per night. 24 hour house sitting, no pets: R 400 per calendar day.
How much should you pay someone to watch your pet? ›On average, pet sitters charge $25 per hour to watch your furry friends. However, hourly rates can range from $15 to $50.
What to give someone who watches your dog? ›- Hand and foot warmers. ...
- Snacks that transport easily in the car. ...
- Coffee, tea or other drinks. ...
- Nice refillable water bottles or travel coffee mugs for when she is on the go.
- This little cooler has a car adapter and allows sitters to keep their food cool on long days.
Should I charge my friend for dog sitting? ›
If they feel like you don't appreciate their help, this could affect your relationship with them going forward, which is the last thing you want. While you don't need to pay a friend or family member as much as you would someone hired from the outside, offering fair compensation is the right thing to do.
Do you clean the house after house sitting? ›When staying in someone else's home, it is always important to clean up after yourself. Things like doing your dishes, sweeping the floor, and other daily small tasks are customary and expected of house-sitters but going a bit above and beyond that will really make an impression with most homeowners.
What should you not do when house sitting? ›To look after animals that have not been agreed upon before the sit. Having friends or family come to check on the home or stay over. The house sitter to bring their own bedding and place to sleep. Or not providing the house sitter with clean bedding and living space.
Is it okay to have friends over when house sitting? ›“It is only acceptable for a house sitter to have guests over if they have them preapproved with the owner,” says Gottsman. “It's a privacy issue, as well as a safety issue, if the owner does not know the uninvited guests.”
How do I market myself as a house sitter? ›You could advertise your house sitting services by word of mouth, by company email, by taking out a small classified advert in a local paper or by sticking your own advert on public notice boards. All of these methods may attract the attention of a local home owner and result in an offer of a house sitting assignment.
How does trusted house sitters make money? ›How does it work? Both owners and sitters pay for an annual membership that helps them arrange unlimited sits throughout the year. It's a safe and secure way for like-minded people to exchange home and pet care for a place to stay, and it's helping pets stay safe and happy at home.
What questions should you ask a house sitter? ›- How many people are staying at the property?
- Are you planning on staying overnight?
- Do you know how to look after a pool?
- What are you planning on doing while looking after our home?
- Do you need Wi-Fi/internet access?
- What is the best way to contact you in an emergency?
“Always ask upfront when it comes to agreeing on the duties and cost of services of any kind,” said Joy Weaver, etiquette expert and author of “How to Be Socially Savvy in All Situations.” “If you have a pet sitter — someone who does this for a living — agree on a price of services and tip them afterward — 15% if all ...
What do you buy a house sitter? ›- A Bus Or Subway Pass. ...
- A Basket Of Local Fruits And Foods. ...
- A Gift Certificate For A Maid Service. ...
- A Gift Card For The Local Coffee Shop. ...
- A Gift Certificate For The Grocery Store. ...
- A Gift Basket Full Of Takeout Menus And Gift Cards. ...
- A Gift From Your Trip. ...
- A Gift Certificate To The Local Spa.
- Hold the criticism until after you leave.
- Avoid making an emotional decision.
- Don't ask intrusive questions.
- Avoid sharing too much.
- Don't say the price is unrealistic.
What time of day is best to show a house? ›
The best time to hold an open house is typically in the mid-morning to early afternoon between 11 am to 3 pm or in the early evening between 5 pm and 7 pm. That way, home buyers can come after they finish up their errands or take care of their kids.
How much do TV companies pay to use your house? ›To give you some idea, we frequently negotiate location fees of a few hundred pounds for a photographic shoot, between £1,000 and £2,000 for a TV commercial and upward of £10,000 for a week's filming.
Do TV shows rent houses? ›- Did you know you can stay in homes featured in your favorite TV shows and movies?
- Multiple fan-favorite homes from HGTV's hit show "Fixer Upper" are available to rent.
Become a Netflix Tagger
You can watch Netflix and make money at the same time by working as an editorial analyst or “tagger” for the streaming service provider. Netflix taggers watch movies and shows and assign specific metadata or descriptions.
- Most home burglaries take place during the day. While the darkness tends to cause apprehensive feelings, most burglars actually prefer to break in during the day. ...
- Most home burglaries occur between 10 am and 3 pm. ...
- More burglaries occur in the summer months than in the winter months.
Burglars are more likely to target homes that are “routinely vacant during the day.” A serious thief may watch your home for a few days to confirm that you are gone for work before breaking in. Other burglars may just casually knock on the front door to confirm no one is home.
Do you need insurance to be a house sitter? ›You are being entrusted to keep other people's homes safe and secure while they are away. Most house sitters are recommended to have public liability insurance that will cover you for any accidental damage that may occur to anything that belongs to your customer.
Why do people house sit for free? ›Saving Money
One of the main reasons people choose to house sit is as a way to live more affordably. With mortgages and rent being one of our biggest financial outlays, house sitting is a way to take a break and live rent free while still enjoying the comforts of living in a home.
House-sitting is a working holiday for an individual, a couple or a family. They live rent free in exchange for care and management of the owner's home, property and pets. In more cases than not this arrangement also includes care for the resident pets.
What is fair to pay a house sitter sat for 7 days? ›As a starting point to keep in mind, typical house sitting rates are in the $25-30/day range, more (around $50) for overnight stays. But this is just a ballpark.
What can I use instead of a trusted house sitter? ›
The best alternatives to Trusted House Sitters are Wag! , Holidog and Dogvacay.
Is TrustedHousesitters premium worth it? ›More house listings mean more options for house sitters. So, paying the basic membership fee might be worth it, if you plan to do a lot of traveling. Then, too, nearly every site requires house sitters to pay a fee. So, even though TrustedHousesitters' fee is higher than most, it is only incrementally so.
How much do dog sitters charge? ›According to research completed by Thumbtack, the average dog sitter rate in the US is around $20 to $40 a day.
How does trusted house sitters work? ›TrustedHousesitters is an introductory platform for a global pet-loving community. We enable pet parents to connect with care-oriented sitters who will sit for free in exchange for the chance to spend time with some wonderful pets and for free accommodation.
How much do house sitters make in California? ›How much does a House Sitting make in California? As of Feb 7, 2023, the average annual pay for the House Sitting jobs category in California is $45,650 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $21.95 an hour. This is the equivalent of $877/week or $3,804/month.
Can you trust TrustedHousesitters? ›Is TrustedHousesitters Worth it? Absolutely – if you apply the right strategy and attitude. We firmly believe that before you start giving advice – have some experience. We have been house sitting through TrustedHousesitters since 2015.
How much do you get paid TrustedHousesitters? ›How much does TrustedHousesitters pay per year? The average TrustedHousesitters salary ranges from approximately £23,489 per year for a Membership Services Advisor to £23,489 per year for a Membership Services Advisor. TrustedHousesitters employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 3.8/5 stars.
What house sitters should know? ›- Emergency Phone Numbers.
- Water Shutoff Valve and Electrical Panel Locations.
- Alarm Code.
- Wi-Fi Password.
- Recycling and Garbage Pickup Schedules.
- Necessary Indoor Tasks.
- Necessary Outdoor Tasks.
- Ground Rules for Use of Home.
But, it's a good way to earn a bit of money on the side and have some fun. Pay for long-term house sitters starts at £10 a day with Housesitters. Plus, £7 food allowance and 40p per mile for fuel – both of which are non-taxable. Small additional amounts are available if you care for a dog or cat while house sitting.
Can you make a living as a House Sitter? ›House Sitters in America make an average salary of $51,771 per year or $25 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $108,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $24,000 per year.
Is house sitting taxable income? ›
Is house sitting money taxable? You would file the house sitting additional income on a Schedule C. If you don't receive a 1099-MISC from the person/business that you worked for then you would just enter the income in TurboTax.
Does a house sitter spend the night? ›All house-sitters are expected to stay overnight in the homes they are caring for. The amount of time during the day the house-sitter is expected to stay at the actual home will depend on each particular house-sit.
How much of the Rover fee goes to the sitter? ›Profile approval date | Service fee per booking |
---|---|
Before March 1, 2016 | 15% |
On/After March 1, 2016 | 20% |
Sitters with RoverGO | 25% |
Sitters typically bring their own food for house sitting bookings. Many owners will provide some food or drink items so it's best to discuss with your booked sitter so all are clear on expectations.