House/dog sitting charges

[treehugger]

We are off on holiday this summer and have got a friend of a friend to live in our house, water the plants and take the dog for a walk avery day. Not sure what to charge, I was thinking of ?20 per day. Does that sound too much/too little/just right? Interested in your thoughts/experience.

[bobbsy]

I have friends that do this in Sydney, pretty much fulltime - there are websites that match owners/sitters etc. They don't get paid, they just get free accommodation/amenities.

[treehugger]

The young couple involved live in a shoebox "studio" flat in Greenwich with shared bathroom and it turns out they are delighted to get, as you say, Bobbsy, free accommodation and facilities. For them it's a staycation in lovely ED. Everyone's happy!

[treehugger]

Should have written in my original post "How much should I pay", not how much should I charge them - which would have been rather grasping of me!

[Saffron]

We would usually leave some cash if we had a friend to house sit our cats. Or alternatively, we'd leave the kitchen stocked with food and wine. I always leave the vet's number on the fridge, but thankfully no one's ever needed to use it! xx

[yeknomyeknom]

You are essentially paying for the dog walking as the rest is a bit of a gift. Depending on your friendship I would go ?20 a day absolute mex or as little as ?15 which is a standard dog walking rate. Alternatively a case of wine.

[treehugger]

Thanks for the advice. Will definitely stock the fridge with some goodies and get the wine in.

[Amin01]

If that job is still available, I would be more than happy to do it this summer. I am keen on earning some money this summer as I have recently finished my GCSEs.

[treehugger]

Thank you Amin01, we are sorted now.