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?

You’re joking, right? I live in the East of England and think that is crazy cheap.

I don’t think she’s calling you broke, I think she’s calling you tight fisted and doesn’t want to have anything to do with your mean arse.

So would you work for £40 a day?

Why don’t you use Trusted House Sitters? https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/

My friend has used them for a few years as a house sitter - I don’t think money is exchanged, it’s about staying in a nice place while looking after a pet(s).

It was a joke hon, chill out.

My dogs cost an absolute fortune too, I’m well aware.

Yeah, it’s a good question. I wondered myself afterwards. I notice she no longer works for the service we used. I’m not sure if it was just us or if others had trouble too.

Thank you! It just disgusts me that someone could say they were going to care for two vulnerable animals and then not bother?

We were actually on our honeymoon 😅 and have never had such a warm welcome home from them!

Yes, she’s calling you broke, but only because it’s politer than calling you a tightwad. I admire her restraint tbh.

This is surely a joke post 🫣🫣.

Agreed! Scrooge!

Not about the work though is it. It’s the responsibility and giving up what they’d normally do.

I don’t have animals or used house sitters etc so when I saw this I thought that sounded massively cheap!

I wouldn't even house sit without the dog for £40 a day. I'd do it as a favour for a friend but if that is someone's main source of income £40 is nothing.

So you are happy for them to just spend an hour with the dogs and then leave them alone?

Think that’s a very polite response from the person in question.

I think you are forgetting they are giving up their usual day2day life and their freedom too by house sitting and also dog sitting, they will be doing it to also contribute to their income as in a job. Working out the hourly rate looks like they’ve factored in that they will be using your facilities while house sitting but it is still an inconvenience to have to stay at someone’s home and in all fairness being tied to two dogs regardless of your feelings on how easy it will be snuggled up to your animals their life for those days is going to be revolving around keeping your house safe and attending to your pets needs. If they are self employed and a ‘house sitter’ they will have tax, national insurance and insurance to cover and in all honesty they still have to make it worth their while or why do it? I personally think it’s reasonable. I wouldn’t do it for only £40 a day&night but then I am not a housesitter 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I imagine kennels would be less comfortable for your dogs and more expensive and more of a worry for you.

Out of interest what were you expecting to be charged? Would you work for less than minimum wage a hour in employment? If you do/would fair play to you but I don’t know many (if any) that would

Would you work for £40 a day? No? They are providing a service that you need, if you don't value it send your dog to go and sit on its own for 23 hours a day in a boarding kennel. But do not expect someone to work for peanuts.

That is cheap for the service you're getting IMO. I pay £12 per 40 min visit for my cat when I'm away- cat sitter is fantastic and I think its worth it. My pet gets to stay in the familiar home environment, it helps with home security as she staggers the visits, alternates lights, puts bins out etc. These services cost money.

*It was a joke hon, chill out.
My dogs cost an absolute fortune too, I’m well aware

Hey, its Mumsnet, nothing is ever what it seems! 😆 🤣 😂

No, she's calling you a tight CF.

I think it's you calling you cheap more than anything

She's not begging for your custom

£40 for 2 dogs for 24 hour care in their own home is absolute bargain. We've paid £15 each for a 30 minute walk!

Yes, because you are quibbling over an extremely low cost. She is right to say that.

How do you think they'd make a living for themselves for £20 a day?! Less than £1 an hour

You're calling yourself broke with this post.

£40 for a whole day?? How much do you earn for a days work? Your paying far less than minimum wage.

This has to be rage bait.

That’s cheap. We use several people as they book up and depending on whose available it’s £45-75 for a day with overnight . The £45 lady often books up more than a year ahead in school hols though….

They are giving up their time...

I sit at desk all day but wouldn't do it for £40 a day...

I sometimes do house-sitting as an alternative to a hotel through a house-sitting site. I do it for free (although I could charge) because I really value it as it saves me spending money on accommodation. I don't however look after dogs or other higher maintenance animals as I can't commit to be home enough as proper care requires. Most house sits also don't allow visitors or even partners so it really only suits people in very specific circumstances.
If the house sit was local and I didn't need it for accommodation I would expect ample payment for my time and care.

What are the house sitter's responsibilities - meals? Medications? Cleaning up? How much walking / play time? How much time are you expecting them to spend in your home with your dog?