It may seem unusual to visit people's homes and take care of plants and pets, but if the home's sitting business is sold and managed correctly, it can be transformed into a stable business.
If you are looking for ways to earn money through small businesses and are considering sitting at home, you need to know if it's really the best business for you.
To do this, we will look into many factors. You need to understand what kind of people should join this business, the advantages and disadvantages of being a home sitter, and what it entails sitting in your home.
What is the house?
House sitting is the act of being at someone else's house while they are away. One of the main intentions behind house sitting is to ensure that homeowners can feel at ease while they are away.
House sitting and pet sitting tend to be package deals in many cases, so depending on how you set up your business, you may need to take care of your pets and plants when you sit down. You may also need to keep your home clean while you are there.
It is important to have a clear idea of what the homeowner expects you while you are away.
What should I charge as a house sitter?
There are arrangements for sitting in different houses, some are paid, while others consider a free stay on your property as a payment.
If you're approaching it as a business idea to make extra money, a non-payment arrangement won't make a profit. Depending on the type of work you need to do while sitting at home, you need to establish a daily fee.
South African house sitters will sit at a house for the day and charge R 400-R 800. If you're doing minimal work and just starting out as a house sitter, you can lower your daily rate and increase it as you gain authority and traction.
Who is the best fit for this business?
House sitting is perfect for people who love to move around and can easily adapt to new environments. Arrangements for sit-in arrangements in many homes may require caring for pets and plants. Perhaps you should be an animal lover with experience in caring for animals and have knowledge of how to properly care for your plants.
Benefits of being a house sitter
There are many benefits to being a house sitter, especially when you run efficiently, like business. These benefits include:
1. Free accommodation: House sitting functions as a form of alternative accommodation. This is particularly beneficial for nomadic house sitters.
2. Get rewards for travel: If you're someone who loves to go to the road, you can use yourself to sit from your city. If you are considering this option, you should include the travel fee in your overall rate.
3. Make a new friend or pet companion: If you are in an arrangement that includes pet sitting, you can build bonds with new furry friends. Plus, you can get to know yourself with your nearby neighbors.
Cons of being a house sitter
Running a house sitting business has many advantages, but there are a few drawbacks as well. These include:
1. Safety concerns: When you are staying at someone else's home, you may feel safe and uneasy, especially if it's your first time.
2. Sitting at home is a big responsibility. Sitting at home is more than just staying in someone else's home. Responsible actions are necessary. This includes following homeowner security measures as they overlook something as simple as every door could lead to a robbery.
3. Loneliness: Being in an unfamiliar environment can bring the challenge of feeling alone, especially if it's your first time there.
How to run a successful home sitting business
House sitting sounds like something you can casually arrange and run informally, but it's best to plan it to increase your chances of success. Below are three ways to help your home sitting business succeed:
1. Have a business plan: No matter how small your business is, it's never too small in a thorough business plan. In particular, it provides an overview of the business description, marketing strategies, and specific services offered to avoid overlapping roles.
2. Collect reviews: Find ways to collect and share customer success stories from previous clients. This will help you build trust between your current customers and your new potential customers.
3. Consider diversifying your services. If you can highlight other strengths, such as having experience in sitting, cleaning, or perhaps gardening. You can also offer to keep further distance and shop their groceries that will approach the time for the owner to return home.
