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?

No, she's calling you cheap. And making it clear she's not willing to work for you as she's suspicious you'll be a pain in the arse as you expect someone to stay in your property, caring for her dogs, for a lower price.

She is already bottom end of the 'in your own home' dog sitting market.

If your dogs do not require more care than a couple of walks, you'd obviously be happy to just have a walker come in twice a day to walk them and chuck food at them.

Evidently, as you normally have someone stay at the house with them, you do believe they require more care than that, you know, food, cuddles, interaction, play, training etc, you DO think they need more care than that. But you don't want to pay for it.

Btw, the top end company, Animal Aunts, charge around £100 a day.

We pay £39 a day for a pet sitter to house sit and look after our 2 dogs and 2 cats. If she books a dog field for a private session (one dog is reactive) we reimburse her for that. No chance you’ll find anything cheaper who is covered with insurance etc

You would have had apoplexy if you had encountered the unqualified 15yo whose mother told me that £96 for her basically playing on her phone for 12 hours in my home was cheap! I didn’t use her.
I think £40 a day for an experienced, probably insured and with DBS, professional house sitter is very reasonable.
It is sometimes possible to get people to sit for free if you have a home in a popular area, but you can’t expect someone doing it for free to be DBS checked, stay home all day when they want to sightsee, or be available just when convenient to you.
There is a site on Facebook where people can advertise their services or request a free sit.

She’s calling you tight or cash strapped

She's quite politely calling you a cheapskate she's not interested in working for.

Best of luck finding proper care for less than that.

£40 per day, 2 dogs
Absolute bargain!

No, she's calling you cheap.

Which you are.

I think you jumped the gun criticising her prices before you researched the local rate (and found that it was comparable). You may have cut your nose off to spite your face if you liked the sound of her.

Her reply is a bit snippy but I’d like to see your message to her where you went on about using your electricity…

This has got to be rage bait.

I can see why family member moved away 😅

She’s calling you tight. Politely.

Even I worked a full 30 days a month for only £40 per day, I wouldn't even be able to pay my mortgage - let alone eat, or cover any bills. People need to make a living.

I used to do it for friends and friends of friends as I work from home and it was an easy side gig. I worked for an agricultural company and animals were welcome on site so even if I was needed in the office I just used to take the dogs with me.

Close friends I didn’t actually charge as I love dogs and they had lovely houses and it was a fun week or two. Others I’d charge £20 or £30 a day so I think £40 is very reasonable for an insured professional - it’s inconvenient staying in others’ houses and you have a responsibility for the house as well as the pets. I think you need to be realistic - animal care is expensive.

It’s going to be very awkward to row back on whatever you’ve said to them now you’ve found out that they’re not trying to rip you off.

I hope you apologise.

Dog walking- 1 hour minimum.

Also included: taking in parcels, turning lights on/off so house doesn't look empty, caring for dog if a medical issues arise, keeping dog company, letting out in the morning, picking up poop if required, keeping an eye on the house, putting bins out/taking them in.

Yes, you are cheap.

No, she’s politely telling you you’re expecting too much.
£40 is good value

Yep or tight, and it sounds like you are tight

100% agree.

Op is barking

No she is calling you cheap.

her price sounds reasonable and I can’t see you getting it much cheaper

No, she’s calling you a dick.

Think that’s a bargain. Kennels where I am (not that I have used them) in the South West are £50 a day. But they are outside covered boarding kennels, my dog would hate them.

You would be charged £50 per dog and need to make sure all vaccinations were up to date.

£40 for two dogs for a constant sitter is a steal in my opinion. It’s her full time job! Do you earn £40 a day??

I pay the 12 year old girl next door £50 for looking after my cats for a week.

To be fair, you’re acting like your broke or extremely entitled to find this expensive

Christ ! I work in a school looking after children i get half this per Hour

Sounds really cheap to me. No way would I want to have to stay in someone else’s house for £40 per day.

Op
Good luck finding someone to do it for less than 40. That's good value for what you're asking.
alternatively do you know any teenagers types. They might do it for less ( although you run the risk that can come with teenager types having a free gaff )