score:

I have a client requesting that I stay at her house for 10 days. (24 hour care for elderly dog) I have no idea how to price this out?

I have a client requesting that I stay at her house for 10 days. (24 hour care for elderly dog) I have no idea how to price this out?? Overnight stays are priced..but what about when you stay full time? I'm not sure how to price it or how to configure it on Rover. Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, we both have the question of what would happen if I were to fall ill?..an accident or something that would prevent me from caring for her dog? I've never had such an experience but one never knows. Can or should she book a back up sitter? How would that work?

Comments

I figure overnight stays as 12 hours so a 24 hour stay would be double. If you charge $40 for overnights, charge $80 for round the clock care. Obviously shes willing to pay it if she wants complete care. I think if anything happens, you contact rover and they send another sitter.

Stacey E.

2 Answers

Sort by » oldest newest most voted

score:

Karen R.

Whether you board dogs in your home or sit for them at the client, the "nightly" charge is for a 24-hour period of care, which would include walking, feeding, playing, etc.

https://support.rover.com/hc/en-us/ar...

Of course, you have the flexibility to charge however you want so long as the customer understands and you've sent a revised invoice. When a customer requests x number of nights per dog, Rover's system assumes you are providing the full level of care described in the FAQ linked above.

Booking through Rover insures there is a safety net for you and the client. If anything were to happen, Rover would supply the backup. Neither you nor the client has to make those arrangements in advance.

Added: Juliana makes a good point about the 24/7 aspect of this job, so here's another thought. Because the dog is old and infirmed, you might want to think of it like a person with home nursing care. If they truly do not want you to leave the dog for 10 straight days, then they may want to consider having someone else to relieve you periodically or daily. You need to discuss this with the owner because not leaving the dog for straight days is too much IMO.

Comments

House sitting is a full time gig, but when a client expects you to stay 24/7 with no breaks, that is absolutely a different kind of job. I refer to that as "live-in dog nannying" because it really is much more difficult and demanding than normal house sitting.

Juliana L.

Under most normal situation, a housesitter should be able to go out for a few hours a day. Some housesitters might also be dogwalking or doing drop-in visits to other dogs. That IMO is quite reasonable. When dogs board with me, I do go out when necessary as they're accustomed at home.

Karen R.

In this situation the client has asked that I not leave the house for more than an hour at a time. She worries about the dogs declining health and doesn't want her to be alone.

Leah H.

You have to determine if the hour limitation hinders your ability to provide care to other dogs. If it does, then you might want to increase your price (a premium) for the exclusivity.

Karen R.

I don't think it's too much...for the right price. I also think you should charge at least double the typical "boarding" fee you would charge. Pick a number that you feel would justify your spending that time there.

Jessica M.

If the owner is that concerned about the dog's health, medical boarding the dog at a 24-hour animal hospital might be a good idea to suggest. Personally, even if I didn't work, I don't think I'd want to commit to a stay this demanding.

Kristen C.

score:

Juliana L.

I have had this come up before as well. I agree with Stacey, you should be charging double your normal rate. My house sitting price includes the majority of my time spent with the client's dog(s), but it also leaves time for me to go do other drop in visits or walks, not to mention take care of my own animals. You have to factor in all the business you would be losing if you stayed at this client's house 24/7.

If you are uncomfortable staying there 24/7, suggest to your client that she book another sitter in conjunction with you and then you can each get time away from the dog to do other visits or just get a break.

Comments

You can also decline the booking. Someone else might want it.

Juliana L.

I am happy to do the gig, I was just wondering what other Rover folks had to think about the rates as this is an exceptional situation that I've never been in before. Thank you!

Leah H.

Q&A Community

Connect with fellow dog lovers and learn from one another

I have a client requesting that I stay at her house for 10 days. (24 hour care for elderly dog) I have no idea how to price this out?

Comments

2 Answers

Comments

Comments

Related questions

Need Help?

Learn More

Need Help?

About Rover