Due to my busy work schedule and frequent business trips, I am looking for a house sitter. Duties include trimming indoor and outdoor plants, watering flowers and plants, checking the overall environment on a regular basis, keeping the space clean and tidy, and checking water and electricity. Pay is $800 per week, visiting every other day. Interested parties may call: 626-562-0688
This job looks easy, but it actually carries a lot of responsibility. Watering and pruning are just the surface—the real key is checking the plumbing and electrical systems and spotting leaks or electrical faults. If something goes wrong, who's liable? At eight hundred a week for every other day, the hourly rate works out pretty well, but you need to clearly define the scope of duties, who pays for tools and supplies, and who the emergency contact is—otherwise it's easy to end up in disputes.
Going every other day—about how long do you usually stay each time?
Are the plants meant for indoors or outdoors? Will you be providing the pruning tools and fertilizer? Also, is there anything I should be aware of, like security cameras or a safe in the home?
When looking for this kind of caregiver, it's best to verify their identity and references first, and have them do one or two trial shifts before you decide. Install a camera at home, put away valuables, show them where the main water and power shutoffs are, and leave emergency contact numbers. Don't hire someone based on a phone call alone.
If a leak suddenly happens while you're away on a business trip, can someone be there in time?
800 a week for going every other day works out to a decent hourly rate, but it depends on how long each visit actually takes. If it's just watering and checking things, that's on the high side; if it involves trimming large areas of plants and handling odd jobs, you might not be able to keep someone. I'd suggest negotiating per visit or per hour for more flexibility.
It's advisable to sign a simple agreement first, specifying the scope of work, frequency, and authority for handling emergencies. However, this is contingent on the other party having legal work status and reliable guarantees; otherwise, any disputes that arise later will be very difficult to resolve.