A friend is housesitting and pet sitting a family home - should she get paid?

Question

The house is quite big and there are five pets to look after, dogs and birds.

Answer 1

I used to have a friend, who roomed with a friend and when we needed a dog sitter, he was more than happy to come hang out in our home for no charge at all. It was closer to his work, laundry was free, he was welcome to entertain if he wanted and he pretty much had the place to himself. We never paid him because it was a good trade for what we needed and what he got when he stayed. He was also a good friend.

Ideally, if an arrangement like this is made, fees should be discussed prior to agreeing to pet sitting. If I were having someone I hadn't known quite so well staying, I would have paid them something for their time.

Answer 2

Yeah, she should. But the other answerer's right, if she agreed w/o pay, it's too late. But when I house/pet sit for neighbors I get paid $10 an hour for 2 dogs and a huge house.

:)

Answer 3

You say a family home. Do you mean the home she lives in? If so, then I would say no, but the family could offer o pay her something out of love. If it is a relative's home, then yes I think she should be paid. The arrangements tho should have been made prior to the job, about how much would be paid, what she would be expected to do, etc.

Answer 4

Depends on what she agreed to do, If she agreed to do it for free, she needs to do her very best for free. Then she can charge the next time if she thinks that she would like to be paid. Tell her not to mention it this time. Sometimes people will give a few bucks anyway. If they don't, it's fine- they weren't expected to.

Answer 5

if the home owners and your friend made an agreement that there would be payment involved, yes the friend should be paid.

if a person expects to be paid for a job, they need to discuss these things BEFORE they take on the work.

Answer 6

I charge $25 per day and yes, she should get paid. This should be discussed up front, not after the fact.

Answer 7

Personally, I think both sides would be a little awkward in accepting money. Fill up your kitchen and fridge to capacity and tell your friend to go nuts. It's the least you can do.

Answer 8

well it depends on how close they are to who they are house sitting for in my opinion but i have had a house sitter before and i provided food and a place to live for them and that was in exchange for them takeing care of our pets while we were abroad

Answer 9

Well, she should've considered that before agreeing to the job. If she agreed without discussion of payment, then she cannot expect payment.

Answer 10

Sounds like she should get paid.