Homeowners: Do you have a 'budget' for sitter perks?

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
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I’m not referring to paying a THS sitter at all, but many of us leave gifts/goodies for sitters. And, those of us that don’t have oceanfront properties (our home is nice but ‘regular’ have to consider how to attract sitters.

First, no amount of goodies detracts from basic responsibilities of HO: a clean home, with comfortable space for a sitter to sleep in, and non-aggressive pets whose behavior and needs are accurately detailed before a sit is confirmed.

That said, how do other HO approach this? Just a standard basket of welcome goodies? Or tailored to a sitter(s)? Do you have a budget in mind?

We are gearing up to host sitters for 3.5 weeks in April. Lovely young couple but highly responsible. Great reviews. From their profile they like healthy lifestyle and cooking. Not sure if the drink or have dietary restrictions (will ask later) bit I already have a slurry of ideas. I love where we live but sometimes I can bit…overboard. LOL.

So for say a 3.5 week sit, is it reasonable to offer say a couple hundred in goodies? I am specifically thinking of a gift certificate to a local restaurant. It’s a legendary place with farm-to-table organic food (with plentiful meat-eating, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options - so something for everyone).

What is special about this place is its location. It’s in a quiet LA canyon, surrounded by nature, with the most romantic outdoor seating you could imagine. And of course the food is delicious. They have wine but also a big menu of non-alcoholic options.

With all that it is pricey, probably $125 per person for a dinner. I was thinking of leaving them $250 gift certificate for there, because I think it fits their interests, they are a lovely young couple only married for a few years, and I think this restaurant represents the best of what SoCal is about.

Is that too much for 3.5 weeks (I definitely wouldn’t do this for a one week sit but heck 3.5 weeks is different, I think).

My husband gave me a look when I told him I was was thinking about this. Then I reminded him of what we just paid our local paid sitter. Then he was like ‘your call’ LOL.

Too much or no? I also don’t want to fall into the ‘Americans over tip and make things too hard for others’ trap…

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I would say that’s extremely generous and very kind. As a sitter I would not expect any gift at all.

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I know it’s not expected. We like the exchange and take part of that to mean let us show you the REAL Los Angeles, which this restaurant represents perfectly :slight_smile:

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I find it very excessive but I come from a country where tipping is far from the norm. When I sit anywhere in the world, apart from the USA, I am very happy to receive a bottle of wine, a small gift basket or a gift card of a far smaller denomination than you are suggesting. I sit for anything from a week to six months and never, ever expect to receive something. I understand having been to the US many times, that this is fairly normal, and I also understand it’s not exactly like tipping but it is lol, but I still believe what you are offering is far in excess of what is expected by most sitters. But I think you have already decided to give this anyway and that’s a very kind gesture, I’m sure the sitters will be over the moon to receive it. Just don’t set a precedent is all I can suggest as the sitters will probably note it in their review and future sitters may look to receive the same.

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This is what I kinda worry about when I ask if it’s excessive. Thanks for your perspective. It’s not ‘decided’ but I was about 75 percent there LOL

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And I can always ask they not mention in there review. As mentioned I don’t do it for shorter sits, like a week…

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Can I ask you a follow up question? Would you feel differently about it if we brought them there the evening before we departed (in lieu of me cooking them dinner in the home)? It saves me cooking and cleanup, we all eat so it’s not like a ‘tip’, but we just pay the tab? So it would be all 4 of together enjoying a dinner there?

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@Felinelover, kudos on basic responsibilities of a HO and voluntary gift.

If helpful, we’ve completed 10+ housesits of 3+ weeks duration. HO attitudes; personal circumstances; and motivations vary enormously. Many of our pet parents have been heading on far-fling, high-cost adventures and seem delighted at prospect of housesitter assistance. But some pet parents leave nothing, as is their right.

In our experience - and may not be representative - one or more bottles of wine are common. Gift certificates to local eateries is perhaps second most common. And contributions of food, say for first day or two, happen too.

No right answers here. Any gesture is entirely voluntary. Hopefully appreciated by housesitter.

Regardless, hope that you enjoy a fabulous trip.

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@Felinelover yes, I would feel differently about it in that scenario. This has been my experience on a number of occasions - the HO will take me to a nice restaurant or pub for dinner the night before they leave. It saves you cooking and cleaning up, it shows genuine appreciation for the sitters and it’s a really nice and comfortable way to get to know each other and who is staying in your home also. If a HO were to give me what you are proposing insofar as the actual gift, I would feel quite overwhelmed and almost guilty for accepting it. Again, maybe because I come from a country where this sort of thing is not common but I definitely wouldn’t feel comfortable with receiving it. A dinner with everyone there on the other hand would feel like gratitude in itself and something I have always enjoyed when it has been me. It feels nice, for everyone to be a part of the house-sitting experience together.

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I usually do wine, but I am 90 percent certain this couple doesn’t drink (via social media that they invited me to). I will confirm and if I’m wrong and they do drink wine, we are happy to to that instead ( we have a careful collection of California wine to choose from to leave them) but if I’m right and they don’t drink wine, I was thinking something else instead.

For 3.5 weeks, 2 people , I would leave 4 bottles (for us that would be about $200 at $50 a bottle). So for sitters who don’t drink, I was trying to find an alternative, equivalent I guess…

And yes I know it’s not necessary. I think this is a lovely young couple and something I genuinely want to do.

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Thank you, this perspective helps. Alot. Our sitters are of European origin and I don’t want to do the ‘American over tipping’ thing. But still want to want to appreciate them, and show off what we love about where we live :growing_heart:

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If you were leaving a smaller gift like you are saying wine, what I have liked is a card for a supermarket. This really helps save a lot of money buying food at a sit and does stretch a long way. As long term full-time sitters, grocery shopping can become very expensive and sometimes I go without certain items because of cost but when I receive a gift card to a supermarket, it’s nice to splurge on things I wouldn’t normally buy there. Just another point of view.

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I think they would be ecstatic to be taken for dinner and yes, I believe it would come across as the American tipping thing otherwise. I think that is a great choice, dinner with everyone. :+1:

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We were going to do a small grocery store gift card and a also a small gift card to a local (non chain) coffee shop that has great coffee and a special mission (won’t elaborate more but we love supporting them so every sitter gets that one!).

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15

Sounds wonderful. Can I come sit for you to? :rofl::innocent:

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Thanks. My husband even said ‘Oh even WE haven’t eaten there in awhile’ so maybe he’ll be happy too LOL

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Too late, taken! Next time buddy!

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So you have now answered your own question. Everyone will now be happy :grin:

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I wouldn’t be allowed to step foot onto US soil with MY social media history :rofl: A shame because I still have beautiful cousins in both California and Boston who I probably won’t see again unless the administration changes.

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Hi @Felinelover :slightly_smiling_face:

We’ve done 150+ sits over about 14 years of full-time travel, so we’ve experienced many different approaches from homeowners.

From our perspective, the most important things are always the basics done well — a clean home, a comfortable place to sleep, clear instructions, and pets whose needs and behaviour are accurately described before the sit.

Anything beyond that is a thoughtful extra, but never something we expect.

We think it helps if homeowners keep things simple and repeatable rather than trying to create a “budget” or tailor different levels of perks. Once you start doing that it can become hard to decide where to draw the line.

A small welcome start can be really appreciated — things like milk, bread, fruit, or a few basics so the sitter doesn’t need to rush to the shops right after arriving.

Your idea for a restaurant gift certificate sounds very generous and thoughtful, especially for a longer sit. There’s no need to feel that you have to set a precedent. The sit itself and time with the pets is already the exchange.

:paw_prints: :heart:

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