You can make extra income while still working a full-time job by house-sitting. Many homeowners employ house-sitters to care for their pets and reset their alarms. They also collect mail and keep the paper in their mailbox. However, it is important that their home looks occupied to prevent any break-ins. Some clients might not require you to stay on the property and ask that you visit the house at least once a day.
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There is a high demand for house-sitters
House-sitters are in high demand, especially for homeowners with pets. Kennels can be costly and stressful for pets. Offering house-sitting services is a great way to add value to your pet-sitting business. Homeowners may need the extra security of knowing someone is there to watch over their property and keep an eye on it. Experts suggest that homeowners prefer housesitters in their 40s and older. This is because they are more likely to be responsible. However, anyone who has a solid reputation for house sitting can still make a great business out of it.
Salary for Housesitters
Your level of living arrangements and daily visits will impact your salary. The number of tasks you have to complete and your geographic location will also affect the salary. The average salary ranges from $25 to $50 per day. You can generally charge more if you live in the house or care for pets.
- The advantages of starting a house-sitting business
- Starting a house-sitting company has many benefits, including:
- You can run it part-time while you work full-time.
- This business requires low startup costs. You only need transportation to and from the homes of your clients.
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You don’t have to do any of the daily tasks like bringing in mail, feeding the cat, or watering the plants. Instead, you can live your normal life and enjoy the freedom to do what you want.
You get a change of scenery every now and again. Although there are some tasks you must complete, house-sitting can feel more like a mini-vacation in someone else’s home.
There are some disadvantages to starting a house-sitting business
There are some downsides to owning a house-sitting company:
If you don’t hire or manage housesitters as contractors or employees, it is not possible to turn this business into a full-time income stream. This would be more lucrative but it requires additional work to ensure you are hiring honest people and managing your house assignments.
If you are away from your partner for extended periods of time, the job commitment can cause problems in relationships.
In case of an emergency, you should get insured and bonded. You might be tempted to take on too many jobs. Accidents are more likely when you feel rushed or under pressure.
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Steps to Start a House-Sitting Service
Although starting a house-sitting company is not as expensive as other business ventures, it is worth building a reputation. Your reputation is your calling card. It can be very helpful if you aren’t new to the area and have established relationships that can provide you with glowing, legitimate references. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters certification can be a great way to reassure pet owners who are finicky. For those times when your house-sitting clients are relocating and need a reliable service to move their belongings, Shiply offers an easy and affordable solution to ensure their items are transported safely to their new home. These are the steps to start a house-sitting service.
- Write a business plan that outlines your ideas for your business. This includes your list of clients, fees and the types of services you offer.
- Drafting a contract that outlines the terms, roles, and responsibilities of the agreement.
- Obtaining all permits and licenses. You can house-sit as an individual but if you wish to market yourself as a company, you will need to choose a name and structure for your business.
- Get bonded and insure yourself against any potential problems while you are house-sitting.
Spread the word about your business to family and friends. You might consider getting business cards that you can distribute to friends, family, potential clients. Flyers and business cards can also be distributed at local pet shops, veterinarian offices, community centres, and travel agencies. You might consider setting up a website, a profile on an online house-sitting referral system or posting an advertisement about your company in the classified section on your local newspaper or Craigslist. It’s cheaper and easier to market your business by word of mouth.
