There are also many HO’s who wait to confirm a sitter fist before booking their trip, and discuss exact departure & arrival times later.
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Since THS doesn’t do this and is unlikely to start, you can do what I do. Every time my listing goes live I have a first paragraph with details including what time a sitter needs to arrive by – usually as a range and what time they need to stay until (earliest to latest). I have still found I need to discuss it and sometimes people misread what I wrote or still have questions. Frankly, to me this is the most important part that the two humans have to agree to. I’ve heard too many stories where hosts or sitters got the DATES wrong not just the times. You are right that pets have needs and this can’t always be based on when the sitter decides to arrive. The sitter needs to be able to arrive at the right time, so it is super-important for the host to screen for this and make sure the right time is agreed upon before the sit is confirmed.
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And when that happens the hosts are taking a chance that their confirmed sitter may not be able to get there when needed, so continued communication and transparency on both sides is important.
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There is no standard protocol.
We have had some mishaps in regards misunderstanding of date/time and even a PP that arrived home many hours earlier than expected.
PP stated date may refer to ideal date of arrival/departure of HS, or it may refer to date of departure/arrival of PP - can be different if international flights involved.
PP stated time may refer to time of PP flight departure/arrival; or time PP depart/leave property; or ideal time of HS arrival/departure.
Such nuances are perhaps insignificant if the HS resides in close proximity to the PP, but are more challenging if the HS is traveling a significant distance/internationally to execute the housesit.
Now, on video call, we now ask PP for the flight numbers or other specific details related to their trip. And we ask if PP has significant preference on start/end date/time of HS (e.g. HS asked stay extra day in case PP international return flight delayed) - no guarantees but we can often adapt our plans to accommodate. This provides simple, upfront clarity to both parties. And helps to create a win-win outcome.
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Communication is essential. It should be brought up in the initial interview To make sure that you are on the same page. We have had widely varying start Times and end times, we are usually extremely flexible and try to make it so that the animal will not be left alone for too long but all of that needs to be communicated before sit starts. Sometimes if they are in the country for only the sit there will be flight times and train times etc., we usually try to not have things be so tight but I know other people don’t have the same flexibility.
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If a sitter is relying on public transport then they are reliant on what times their bus, train, plane whatever is leaving.
You need to have a full conversation with a sitter before the sit begins and if you wantvthem there earlier/staying later then you may have to offer them accommodation to cover this.
If we have a sit and the owner is leaving early in the morning we will often stay the night before and same if they are arriving later on return.
If you can’t agree this kind of thing withbthem then you may be better off paying an agency.
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Too true! 
@Hmanthorpe we discuss all of these things at the video call point before confirming a sit. It’s a basic aspect of good communication between both parties. There are no rules. You are not paying us. This is a mutual exchange that works well for both of us.
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To me, the “start date” is just that. Unless otherwise discussed during your WhatsAp or Zoom conference, the date starts early in the morning. Perhaps 8 or 9 am. Conversely, the “End Date” finishes that night OR when the HO arrives during that date, hopefully early. I never assume without addressing it with the HO first.
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No such thing as typical.
Such details ideally are clearly defined by HO’s and sitters prior to a commitment in order to ensure that each party understands the responsibilities in this area.
You’re more than welcome to establish your start/end time details in your post and know that this may limit your pool of aplicants. The most important thing is that all parties are clear and on board !
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This is one of the things that absolutely need to be discussed in the video meeting you have before the sit. At least the day, if possible more specific. Then i book my flights/train (or whatever to get there). I confirm my details then via the THS mail system, so that the HO knows my travel details and when to expect me. I then do like to have a reply from the HO (if I don’t have that information yet) informing me of travel times and (if not yet agreed) when do the walk through the house and pet needs. As i focus on cats sits, my departure date/time is rarely an issue. Cats can be left alone for a day if they have food and water. So the logic of departure time may depend on the type(s) of animals you are taking care of.
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exactly!
Discussed in video chat then reconfirmed in writing and probably once more via WhatsApp closer to the date.
No, such an assumption is not warranted, there is no default hour for start of the sit. I have had owners leaving at 4 am, others at 5 pm or after dinner.
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@vanuum the start and end dates listed do not usually indicate precise timings on those days. That’s the part that needs to be negotiated. A sit is not like a hotel with fixed check in and check out times. E.g if a host plans to leave very early I would usually expect to arrive the night before for handover (and the should then be the listed start date) or, if not staying the night, then an arrangement made with the key for later in the day pick up. (I’m not going to arrive at the crack of dawn for any sit!!) We frequently do back to back sits so coordinating timings with both sets of hosts is crucial. Somehow it always works out but its essential to talk that through especially when dogs are involved. Its easier with cats as they can be left longer but the pet care cover needs to be the priority and all parties have to be happy with whatever arrangements are made.
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We agree @pietkuip . The start date of a sit is when the sitter will be traveling to your home. If your want the sitter there the FULL day, invite them the evening prior. Most sitters book back to back or have to travel to assignments. @Hmanthorpe When else would you expect the sitter to do the traveling?
If they are coming from a hotel, maybe they will be there by noon or 1pm. If they are coming from another sit, maybe 3-4pm. Unless you, the HO, specify you want them there earlier, most sitters will presume this to mean they can arrive, when they can arrive.
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This is why it is critical for sitters to ask during initial conversations when the HO is departing and arriving back home. Failure to ask this (before sitters arrival) is just setting up the communication for failure.
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