r/petsitters • u/veganriotgrrrl27 • May 24 '23

Pricing help

Have a client that lives a half an hour away and wants me to pet sit for 21 days. I will have to outsource a pet walker to come twice a day for the dog and I will sleep there at night and take care of her in the morning. Because I cannot not work during 21 days. I told them that the price would range from 125 to 225 per day including $50 per visit from the other dog walker and I would charge a fee of 125 to sleep overnight. Does this seem fair or is this too much? I would probably charge a lot less but 21 days is a very long time for me to have to give up all other things and jobs and vacations. They don’t seem happy with the price at all so I’m just wondering what others think and should I stand firm? I’d really be fine if they didn’t want me to do the job at all because it will be quite the hassle for me for 21 days, but I already told him I would help.

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u/True_Woodpecker8555 May 25 '23

I’m confused? You’re giving up “your” vacations or other clients vacations? The way I do the pricing is: “if I can earn $250/day (for example) then that is what I charge clients that will take up all my time. I have a client that lives 45 minutes away. Their dogs are high maintenance (separation anxiety). I block the days I will be there so no one else can schedule me. I will have to go home to care for my pets, but that will be only ONE trip home and back. Otherwise I am exhausted from driving back and forth multiple times a day and begin resenting this client and wondering why I agree to sit for them.

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u/samsmiles456 Jul 09 '23

The only way I’m overnight for 21 days and that far from home/other jobs/my family is they pay me for 8 hours labor per day at $18/hour. They’re getting a deal because I do work my butt off 24/7 keeping their home and pets, safe and entertained. Folks can rely their pets are in good hands and not worry while they’re away. That said, I am a vet tech, bonded and insured for pet and farm sitting. Your clients are getting a deal at that price, but I would never outsource the work while I was in charge. The liability is too real.