By Kiando | 11.15.22
1. Trusted House Sitters
Cost:
- Premium Pet Parent Plan – $259 per year
- Standard Pet Parent Plan – $199 per year
- Basic Pet Parent Plan – $129 per year
As the name suggests, Trusted House Sitters is a platform that connects homeowners with trusted house sitters. This can be ideal for pet owners who don’t want to leave their furry friends behind when they go on vacation or business trips.
To become a member, homeowners and sitters must create profiles and undergo screening. Once approved, they can start searching for matches and arranging stays.
Trusted House Sitters offers three membership plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium. The Basic plan is the most affordable but also has the fewest features. For example, members can only contact a limited number of potential matches per month.
The Standard and Premium plans offer more features, such as unlimited contact with potential matches and access to a concierge service. They also come with a higher price tag.
What we like:
- Offers more sitting opportunities.
- It has many house sites where hotels and hostels are generally unaffordable.
- The team is constantly improving the website and finding more owners to shake hands with.
Disadvantages:
- More expensive than other house sitting sites.
2. House Carers
Cost:
- $50.00 per year for the house sitter
- Free to list your house
Since 2002, House Carers has been connecting homeowners with sitters from around the world. To become a member, you must create a profile and pass a background check. Once approved, you can search for house sitting opportunities in your desired location.
There is a $50 yearly fee for house sitters, but listing your house on the platform is free.
What we like:
- One of the most affordable house sitting websites.
- Offers a wide range of housesitting opportunities all over the world.
- The background check gives peace of mind to both homeowners and sitters.
Disadvantages:
- The website design is outdated and can be difficult to navigate.
3. Mind My House
Cost:
- $20 per year for the house sitter
- Free to list your house
Mind My House is a house sitting site that connects homeowners with sitters. It’s one of the most affordable options on this list, with a yearly fee of just $20 for house sitters. Homeowners can list their houses for free.
It is an international website, but many sitter posts are in Europe and the United States.
To become a member, you must create a profile and pass a background check. Once approved, you can start searching for housesitting opportunities in your desired location.
What we like:
- Well-established platform that has been around for years
- Affordable membership program
- Convenient to use an interactive interface.
Disadvantages:
- Large number of sitters due to low cost, so you must vet them carefully
4. House Sit Match
Cost:
- $60 annual fee for the house sitter
- Free to list your house
Launched in 2017, House Sit Match is relatively new to the scene in the house-sitting industry. Initially, they only had house sitting jobs available in Australia and UK. But now, their services have expanded to offer opportunities in many places, such as Spain.
Your chances of securing a house sit assignment are significantly higher on this smaller site. It offers a premium subscription, which is worth the money as it allows you to load pictures and videos.
There is a yearly fee of $60 for house sitters, but listing your house on the platform is free.
What we like:
- It has good reviews from home and pet owners and sitters who have used the site.
- Customer service is responsive to questions and concerns
Disadvantages:
- It can be challenging to find house sits that are a good match if you live in a rural area.
Visit House Sit Match.
5. Nomador
Cost:
- Free to join for both home and pet owners
This well-known house sitter company launched in 2014 and quickly made its name in the market. It is especially famous in French-speaking countries and has many house sitting opportunities.
Nomador is a bit different than the other house sitting websites on this list. They don’t charge homeowners or sitters to use their platform. Nomador house-sitters look after pets and houses free of charge in exchange for accommodation.
The company relies on donations from people who have found success through their site.
The website’s modern design has a unique identity. It is a highly secure company that provides extra reassurance for homeowners.
What we like:
- No membership fee
- Offers a wide variety of housesitting opportunities all over the world
- The background check gives peace of mind to both homeowners and sitters.
Disadvantages:
- Does not operate worldwide
6. Rover
Cost:
- Varies since sitters set their own rate, but may range from $15 to $150 per night.
It is a platform that helps connect dog owners with dog sitters. While it is not strictly a house-sitting website, it offers many opportunities for those who love animals and are willing to take care of them in exchange for free accommodation. It is available in the US, Canada, and a few other countries.
What we like:
For sitters
- For sitters – able to set your own price
- Great way to get your foot in the door if you want to start house sitting
- Get paid nightly
For home owners
- Get to choose from a wide range of sitters
- Only pay when you need a sitter
Disadvantages:
For sitters
- Only available in a few countries
- May not be suitable for those who don’t want to take care of animals.
For home owners
- some complaints of unqualified sitters
Visit Rover.
What is a House-Sitting Service, and How does it Work?
Not everyone has a trusted neighbor or friend who can watch their house and pets while they’re away. If you don’t have someone you can rely on, plenty of websites can help connect you with a house sitter. Some of these websites even offer insurance and background checks to give you peace of mind while you’re away from home.
A house-sitting service is a platform that connects people who need someone to watch their home with those willing to do it.
House sitters can create profiles on these websites, indicating when they’re available and what services they’re willing to provide. This can include feeding pets, watering plants, taking out the trash, and collecting mail.
Homeowners can then search for potential house sitters and reach out to the ones they’re interested in. Once they’ve found a good match, they can arrange for the house sitter to stay home while they’re away.
Sometimes, the homeowner may need to provide critical access or alarm codes to the house sitter. They may also need to leave behind instructions like operating the TV or using the oven.
Many house sitting services offer insurance in case of damages, and some even conduct background checks on potential sitters. This can give homeowners extra protection and peace of mind while away from home.
What are the Benefits of using a House Sitter Website?
There are plenty of reasons you might need to find a house sitter. Maybe you’re going on vacation and don’t want your home to sit empty. Perhaps you have a pet that needs someone to check in on them while you’re away. Or maybe you need someone to water your plants. Whatever the reason, if you need a house sitter, some great websites can help you find the perfect person for the job.
Here are the three main benefits:
- For one, it can give you peace of mind while you’re away from home. You can rest assured knowing someone is there to take care of your property and pets. This can be a huge relief if you’re worried about leaving your home unattended for an extended period.
- Another benefit is that it can save you money. Hiring a professional house sitting service can be cheaper than paying for a hotel room if you need to go on vacation or take a business trip
- Also, using a house sitter website can be more convenient than relying on friends or family members to watch your home. With a professional service, you can search for sitters in your area and read reviews before deciding. This can help you find the perfect person for the job, and avoid stresful situations.
The Costs and Fees Associated with Using a House Sitting Service
The cost of using a house sitting service will vary depending on the platform and the services you need.
Some websites, like Trusted House Sitters, charge a subscription fee. This can be around $10 per month, or less if you sign up for longer.
Other platforms charge a commission fee. This is usually a percentage of the total cost of the stay. For example, if you use Airbnb to find a house sitter and the total cost of the stay is $100, Airbnb may charge a 3% commission fee.
Finally, some websites charge a booking fee. This is usually a one-time fee when you first book the reservation. Depending on the platform, the fee can be around $5-$10.
Be sure to read the terms and conditions of each website before booking a reservation. This will help you understand the fees associated with using the service.
Keep in mind the rate varies depending on certain factors, such as:
Location:
A professional house sitter costs more for large cities like Chicago or Boston, whereas the rate in rural towns like Salt Lake City is relatively low.
Responsibilities:
Every household has different responsibilities under the umbrella of house sitters, such as cleaning litter boxes, taking out garbage, feeding pets, etc. The additional responsibilities include collecting mail, snow clearing, etc. the rate varies according to the situation.
Time Spent:
The rates of house sitters also depend on the amount of time a sitter requests you to stay. Overnight stays are usually charged at daily rates, whereas occasional visits can be charged according to per hour.
How to Find a Reliable House Sitter
If you’re looking for the best house sitting services for your needs, there are a few things you can do to find the right person for the job.
First, you can check out websites like Rover and House Carers. These platforms offer insurance and background checks for their sitters, so you can be sure your home is in good hands.
Next, you can read reviews from other homeowners who have used the service. This can give you an idea of what to expect and help you find a trustworthy and reliable sitter.
Finally, communicate with your potential sitter before booking a reservation if possible. This will allow you to ask questions and get to know them better. Once you’ve found someone you’re comfortable with, you can relax knowing your home is in good hands.
Other Considerations when choosing a Housesitting Company
There are a few other things to consider when choosing a housesitting company. Below are some factors that you should keep in mind:
1. The size of the company: A smaller company may offer more personalized service, while a larger company may have a greater selection of sitters.
2. The cost: Be sure to compare the prices of different companies before making a decision. Remember that some companies charge monthly subscription fees, while others charge per-stay fees.
3. The location: Some companies only operate in certain cities or regions. If you’re planning on traveling, you can choose a company with sitters available in your destination city.
4. The reviews: Read reviews from other homeowners before choosing a company. This will give you an idea of the quality of service you can expect.
5. The policies: Be sure to read the terms and conditions of each company before booking a reservation. This will help you understand the fees associated with using the service.
By considering the factors above, you can be sure to choose the right housesitting company for your needs.
Conclusion
House sitting is a rising trend not only for travelers but also people in business. It is a mutually beneficial contract that allows the owner to enjoy vacations or business trips without worrying about the house. In contrast, house sitters get free accommodation and many house facilities. Finding a location and house sitter is difficult, but now different sites have been operating to make the process easy and secure for both parties.
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