How much do you pay a house sitter?

[mkate710]

We have to leave for a few days next week for my uncle's funeral and I've asked one of the college girls I mentor to house sit for us. It's a pretty easy job - play with a super cute puppy, watch tv, make as much espresso as you want, have free reign of the food in the kitchen, and make sure the dog has food and water. I will probably leave some sort of gift card for the coffee shop or one of the restaurants in the neighborhood, but is there a going daily rate for what to pay a housesitter? We've always had my grandma watch the granddog, but she isn't able to do that for us anymore. I'm new at this.

[karebear219]

I don't have any experience either. I like jennuine's suggestion though. I personally wouldn't expect to get paid.

[Deleted]

Our good friends come and houses it for us while we're gone. We try to pay them $20 a day, but they never take it. Last time we ended up getting the equivalent in gift cards to places to eat by our house and they used those.

I stock the fridge with basics before we go too.

[bleubook]

Because she is also caring for your pet I'd say $30-50 a day.

[sarack]

depending on how long it is.. if they stay at my house, i pay them like $50 for the weekend. When I went to NYC from the 2nd-8th, my friend wouldn't take more than $60. i offered her more but she refused.. i finally left money in her car.

[jennlin]

i like uw's suggestion of gc's to food nearby. maybe a $50 for the weekend?