Going rate for house-sitting?

[Claire&TheBoys]

I've asked the college-age son of a friend to house-sit for us while we're at Disney World. We have 2 cats that he'd need to feed and take care of and get the mail. It would be a pretty easy gig and his mom said he'd probably love doing it, as he would be on his own for a bit away from his 2 brothers. I asked him how much he thought he would charge and he said, "Just find out the going rate." I know he won't accept anything too exhorbitant -- he and his brother cut my grass while my husband was deployed and they never let me pay them more than $20 total for the 2 of them. I want to be fair, but really, it'll be a win-win situation for us both! Me: house- and pet-sitter. Him: empty house with wifi, HD TV and food.

So, what's the going rate in your area? We don't live in an expensive area.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

How many days?

 

[princessnoelly]

When we have college kids house sit for us we stock the fridge and pantry with food we think they will like and pay give them $10/day.

The only time this back fired on us was when we had just gotten our kegerator and the kid had a party at our house and drank a full keg of beer. We no longer have them house sit for us. The house was clean but MY beer was cleaned out.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Sorry, I thought I had it in my original post, but must have left it out. It would be about a week.

Thanks, princessnoelly. I was thinking maybe $100 for the week so it seems that may be reasonable. I have a friend who has 1 dog and 2 cats and has their house-sitter water lots of plants and stuff, and they pay her something like $50/day! I was hoping they were above the norm!

 

[brymolmom]

I would likely do $100 for anything between 5 - 7 nights and like a pp suggested, put a bunch of stuff in the house for him to eat too (chips, sandwich stuff, ice cream).

 

[PrincessDreams2]

I house sat for some friends last summer - they have one dog and a pool. My DD7 and I stayed there for a week. They gave us $100 gift card to Disney in return. I thought that was perfect (especially since we were leaving for Disney the following week!)

 

[katesorad]

I'd do $20/day.

 

[smcabee]

Just get him a couple cases of beer and your set. JK




$100 sounds about right for a week.

 

[pixiewings71]

I do $10-20 per day, depending on the person staying and how long we are going to be gone. Also depending on whether or not we stock the house with food.

 

[NMAmy]

I pay $25 per day. A friend of mine has two sons in their 20's and they fight over who gets to stay with Sunny even though they each have their own homes now. They've been dogsitting for me for several years, they do a great job, and the dog adores them. I'd pay at least that much for a kennel and I know that my house isn't sitting unoccupied, as well.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks for the input. I'll definitely stock up on teen-friendly foods and our extra fridge is always stocked with soda, and pay him $100. I don't think cats are as high-maintenance as dogs, so it should be enough.