House and pet sitting charges

[BestestBrownies]

Just wondering what others pay for house & pet sitting these days?

We have a week's holiday booked in January and would like to do a trial run with the sitter for a weekend before Christmas. What should we expect to pay and where is the best place to look for someone trustworthy/clean/genuinely caring?

Our two (well behaved, non-reactive), dogs would need to be fed and walked properly/cleaned if necessary twice a day, plants watered/cared for, and I would expect the house to look the same as we left it when we return, with the sitter's used bed linen laundered and put back on the bed before they leave.

I am in the South East (commuter belt), if that's relevant.

Also, would it be reasonable of us to stipulate that the sitter leaves the house for no more than 6 hours total per day (including the dog walks), and doesn't leave the dogs alone for longer than 2 hours at a time (they are both rescues and start to whine/fret otherwise)?

Should we provide them with food as well?

Sorry for all the questions. Just want to enjoy a stress-free holiday knowing my dogs and home are in safe hands.

Laundry request is unrealistic. Strip bed and put in machine is one thing, but getting it dry and back on the bed - no.

We use someone locally who offers boarding in her own home. She has thr licences and insurance she needs. She only charges £25 per night and our dog adores her.

We are moving shortly and have been wondering about this. We think we will use a sitter in our own hone as we also have cats (currently our neighbour feeds the cats when we're away). I certainly wouldn't expect the sitter to only live our dog for 2 hours or to change their bedding.

I have been asked (in November) to house-sit a large country house and estate in the south east of England (in an isolated location) for three weeks over Christmas and new year, including Christmas eve, Christmas day, Boxing day and New Years Eve / Day.
The client is out of the country on holiday during that time.
There are 2 dogs that need regular walks twice per day, and the expectation is that I live in to maintain the look of someone still living there, but not to have visitors.
I would get the afternoon / early evening of Christmas day to celebrate with family or friends, but not at the house, and not for more than 4 hours.
I would be responsible for buying my own food and supplies, but could use the kitchen at the house.
I would need to send updates via mobile phone to the owners every two days.
I would not be able to leave the house for longer than 4 hours during the day in order to do shopping, visit friends etc.

Under these conditions, do you think £60 per day is reasonable to ask?
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