House sitting: tasks, handover and prices
House sitting may mean scheduled visits or an agreed stay. Homes, plants and any pets need appropriate arrangements. Compare the same scope and period rather than just daily or package prices.
Choose visits or a stay
A check-in is not continuous presence. A stay does not necessarily mean someone is in the home around the clock. Agree actual presence and duties explicitly.
| Model | Clarify |
|---|---|
| Check-in visits | Frequency, duration and tasks |
| Stay | Overnight stay, presence and use |
Agree specific tasks
Agree post, plant care, ventilation and visual checks separately. Specify plant numbers, locations and usual watering. Gardening, cleaning and repairs are extra work, not automatic holiday care.
Agree pet care explicitly
If pets remain, specify species, number and usual care. Visits and time away must suit them. Special needs require suitable experience; general house sitting does not include every kind of pet care.
Hand over keys and instructions securely
Arrange a personal handover and short task list. Record keys, agreed access areas and return. Share alarm codes, exact absence details and key locations directly with the selected person.
Plan updates and incidents
Define updates and a contact for unusual findings. Agree approvals and costs for necessary action. Visual checks do not replace professional security or guarantee protection from theft or damage.
Compare prices by actual scope
Compare visits, time present and tasks across the entire period. Check travel, extra pet or garden care and holidays. An apparently free extra included with another task is not a free standalone service.
| Item | Comparison basis |
|---|---|
| Sitting | Visits or a clearly defined stay |
| Additional tasks | Pets, plants, shopping and work |
| Extra costs | Travel, handover and surcharges |
Clear agreement rather than assumptions
Record dates, tasks, expenses, cancellations and damage handling. A stay also needs usable rooms, house rules and running costs. Check actual agreed liability and coverage rather than assume blanket insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Does the sitter stay continuously?
Only if explicitly agreed. Visits and a stay are different arrangements.
What does house sitting cost?
Compare dates, visits, tasks, travel and extras together.
Is plant care included?
Within agreed limits. Indoor plants and a garden may require different work.
Can pets be cared for?
With suitable experience and explicitly agreed care.
When should keys be handed over?
After choosing the sitter, through a secure documented handover.
Is cleaning automatic?
No. Agree extra cleaning or gardening separately.
