To think this is a ridiculous price?

[VibesCurator]

First time getting a housesitter for my 2 dogs as a family member who used to watch them moved away. I got quoted £40 total per day by a sitter, AIBU for thinking this is ridiculous?

I'm not boarding them, the sitter would be staying in my house using my gas and electric. I have replied to them as much, but now that I am looking around at more sitters, it seems like an average price. How much does everyone else pay?

Maybe look at trusted house sitters?

Depends where you are. I'm in SE London and that's about what I'd expect here. Other (nicer) areas of London will be even more.

Sounds normal to me

Yes YABU, that’s ridiculously cheap. My dog walker charges £26 an hour, if your sitter is staying all day she’s massively undercharging herself.

That’s only £1.66 and hour for 2 dogs !!

they may be staying at your house but are giving up their usual life to stay with your animals

I would say that’s cheap !

So £40 a day and they look after your house and pet? I would say that’s an absolute bargain or am I missing something? It’s a job you’re asking them to do. They will have their own house somehwhere else with costs attached to that so they need paying properly. It’s not a favour to them staying in your house ?

I'm guessing you're in London? Dog walkers in my area charge between £15-£18

Where I am it costs more than that for a house sitter for one cat. It costs £20 a day to have someone pop in twice a day feed and water the cat and make sure it's still alive. So £40 for someone to come and stay in your home, messaging they are away from their normal life, including overnight and be responsible for two dogs seems reasonable.

Pay peanuts

£40 is nothing for this. What were you expecting to pay?

That does sound very cheap. A friend used to go this 20 years ago and charged £50 per day. It was a huge responsibility but he enjoyed it and loved the dogs and cats he looked after. He was also very careful re the owners house and was on regular repeat to several houses

Yes... for an hour.
You're talking about someone giving up their day and evening for £25ish more and you think it's expensive.
What price do you think it should be?

£40 for house-sitting and caring for two dog? That's an absolute steal! I can't believe you'd complain about paying someone so little. 😮

They’re working… 24 hours for £40 isn’t bad at all

£20? They are only walking the dogs for an hour, the rest of the time they're just cuddling with dogs, not much work there

That's cheap! The sitter is away from home and not able to do what they usually would in their own home, depending on distance.

Not London. My friend offers at home doggy day care and holiday care and charges much, much more than this.

Even so, 24 hrs x 16.50 (midpoint of range you quoted) is £396 per 24 hour period. Minus a fiver's worth of utilities = £391 per day. £40 is a steal!

You think someone should look after your house and animals for £20 a day... Fucking hell!

Sounds about right for someone with a registered, insured business as a pet-sitter. I know a pensioner who was doing it for £25/day but strictly word of mouth and cash in hand.

They have to plan their own life for the time around not leaving your dogs alone for more than X number of hours. They’re tied to a schedule and have to be responsible enough at all times to be able to seek vet care in an emergency. It’s a job, not a cuddle puddle favour you’re doing them. £40 a day is very reasonable.

The sitter replied: My prices reflect the level of care 2 dogs require, I hope you’re able to find somebody who better fits your financial situation.

Is she calling me broke?

Would you work overnight for £20?

I also find it extortionate tbh OP - but kennels aren’t wildly cheaper. I use trusted house sitters now, much cheaper and seems to work well for both parties!

So.... they stay in your house all day and all eve apart from walking your dogs and they earn £20? So you go away for a week and they earn £140? Am I reading this right that you think that's OK?

Sounds like you have been spoilt by your family member doing this for free. Hopefully you will appreciate them a bit more now you realise how much money they have saved you.