Professional house sitting service

Frequent travelers, seasonal residents, professionals with pets, and owners of larger or higher-value homes who want someone vetted and insured.

Nightly rates for stays, plus fees for extra pets, medication, check-in visits and holiday periods. Monthly retainers or long-stay rates can smooth out income.

• Organizing bookings and schedules
• Handling pets confidently
• Marketing and building trust

• General liability insurance and bonding, check what is covered for pets, keys and property damage
• Check your state and city for business license or pet care licensing rules
• Workers' compensation insurance and employment rules if you hire other sitters
• Check how you may stay in clients' homes under any insurance or lease terms
• Demand is seasonal, so plan for quiet months

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on insurance, business setup and marketing. These are estimates, so get quotes. Ask insurers what general liability and bonding cover for pets, keys and property damage before you take bookings.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $5,500, depending on how many stays you book and your rates. This is an estimate. Demand is seasonal, so plan for quiet months. Full-time work starts at roughly 30 hours a week.

Check your state and city for business license or pet care licensing rules. Also check workers' compensation and employment rules if you hire other sitters, and how you may stay in clients' homes under any insurance or lease terms.