House‑Sitting Prices 101: Cash for Couch‑Surfing

Ever wondered what to charge for watering someone’s monstera and stopping their labrador from eating the postman? Pull up a squeaky poolside chair, let’s price this gig.

The going rate

• Major cities like Cape Town, Joburg, Durban and Pretoria usually see R250 to R750 per 24 hours.
• Quick pop‑in visits (feed the goldfish, grab the mail) live closer to R200.
• Weekend or holiday peak? Expect a cheeky R50‑100 per day surcharge because everyone wants you when Santa’s in town.

Stuff that fattens the pay packet

• Your profile – build your service profile to showcase your trustworthiness, maturity and commitment to care 
• Level of care – you decide what to take on - daily walkies, meds management, vet trips, multiple meals?
• Gardens and pools – if you're willing to come back smelling like chlorine or compost, bump the fee.
  
• Extended periods – anything over a week or two might earn a loyalty discount, but don’t undersell yourself.

Package your Pawty‑Perfect Offers

Think of your service like a snack bar with three combos - simple, tasty, deluxe:

• Lite (No‑Frills Napper) – Sleep over, feed the cat, water the ficus. R250‑R350 per night.
• Classic (Fur‑Baby Favourite) – Add daily dog walks, mail fetch, basic pool skim. R400‑R550.
• Deluxe (Full Pawty Package) – Garden TLC, pool chemicals, vet runs, photo diary, the works. R600‑R750+.

👇 Reality check: The more complex the options, the fewer humans will bite. Keep choices lean - two or three neat packages sell better than a toppings list longer than a pizza menu.

Level‑up your rate

• GPS / Whatsapp check-ins.
• Daily photo / video updates of Fluffy looking majestic.
• A welcome‑home fridge restock?!?! (Think out the box 💡)

Rookie vs pro

Newbies: start mid‑range, collect those five‑star reviews like Pokémon.
Pros: once you’ve got a CV of happy humans and alive plants, slide your price up confidently.

Quick money makers

• Holiday surcharge
• Last‑minute booking fee
• Cleaning bonus if they want hotel‑fresh sheets on return

Wrap‑up

Price your time like you value it. Chat openly with homeowners, write it all down, then earn rands while you binge their Netflix. House‑sitting isn’t just pocket money, it’s a mini staycation that pays. Set your rate and watch the bookings roll in.