How to Launch Your House Sitting Business
A house sitting business starts small and grows through reputation. Unlike businesses requiring inventory or complex logistics, house sitting relies on trust, reliability, and your ability to care for someone’s home and pets while they’re away. You can begin taking clients within days of setting up your basic infrastructure, and many house sitters earn $50–$150 per day depending on location, responsibilities, and experience.
The startup costs are minimal—typically $200–$500 for insurance, background checks, and platform fees. Your launch speed depends on how quickly you build a client base, establish credibility, and systemize your operations.
Your Step-by-Step Launch Plan
- Choose your business structure: Decide whether to operate as a sole proprietor or form an LLC. Most house sitters start as sole proprietors for simplicity, but an LLC protects your personal assets if someone claims damage to their home. File the appropriate paperwork with your state (typically $50–$150) and get an EIN from the IRS.
- Get background checked and insured: Homeowners require proof that you’re trustworthy. Complete a background check through a service like Checkr or use the background check offered by platforms you join. Purchase property damage and liability insurance—also called house sitter insurance—which costs $200–$400 per year and covers accidental damage, theft claims, or injury on the property.
- Set your rates and service terms: Research local rates by checking Rover, Care.com, Vacasa, and local Facebook groups. Most house sitters charge $40–$100 per day for basic visits, $60–$150 per day for overnight sitting, and premium rates ($100–$200+) for homes with multiple pets or luxury properties. Decide whether you’ll handle pets, plants, mail, or security checks, and be explicit in your terms.
- Build your online presence: Create a simple website or profile on platforms like Rover, Care.com, or Vacasa. Write a clear bio that highlights experience with pets, reliability, and any special skills (pet training, plant care, security). Use a professional photo. Include references or ask past pet-sitting clients to vouch for you if you’re new.
- List on 2–3 platforms simultaneously: Don’t rely on a single platform. Sign up for Rover, Care.com, and at least one local Facebook group or neighborhood app (Nextdoor, local community groups). Each platform reaches different demographics. Expect to pay 15–20% commission to platforms, but the customer access is worth it early on.
- Create a contract and policies: Draft a simple one-page contract covering payment terms, cancellation policies, entry procedures, and what you’ll do if an emergency occurs. Include a pet agreement and house rules. Use a template from LawDepot or have a lawyer review it (often $100–$200).
- Set up payment systems: Accept payments through Stripe, PayPal, or your platform’s built-in system. Make it easy and professional. Some clients prefer Venmo; offer options but prioritize documented payments for your records.
- Create an onboarding checklist: Before the first sit, collect house keys safely, get emergency contacts, understand pet routines, confirm house rules, and photograph the home’s condition. This protects you and the client.
Your First Week
- Register your business name with your state and obtain an EIN
- Purchase liability insurance and confirm it covers your service area
- Complete a background check
- Create profiles on Rover, Care.com, and one local marketplace
- Write and finalize your house sitting contract
- Set competitive rates based on local research
- Create a professional bio with a quality photo
- Ask 2–3 past clients (pet sitters, nannies, or friends) if they’ll write a short recommendation
Your First Month
Focus on landing your first 3–5 paying sits. Your priority is proof of experience and positive reviews. Price competitively in your first month—consider offering 10–15% discounts to first-time clients if it means building your review base. Each sit should include clear communication, photos of the home and pets, and follow-up with the client after they return.
During this month, refine your process. Track what works: your favorite platform, the types of homes you prefer, and the client communication style that prevents misunderstandings. Start a simple spreadsheet to log sits, earnings, and client feedback.
Your First 3 Months
By month three, aim for 8–12 completed sits and an average rating of 4.8 stars or higher. You should have a steady stream of inquiries from at least one platform. At this point, you can raise your rates by 10–15% and become more selective about which jobs you accept. Calculate your actual earnings: after platform fees (15–20%), insurance, taxes, and gas, a $75 sit typically nets $45–$55.
By the end of three months, you should understand your market well enough to either scale up (add more sits, hire other sitters, expand services) or decide this isn’t your primary business model. Many house sitters earn $500–$1,500 per month part-time, which works well alongside another job.
Legal Basics
Most house sitters operate as sole proprietors, which is simple and requires minimal paperwork. However, an LLClegal basics section.
House sitting doesn’t require a special license in most states, but some municipalities regulate pet care or require business licenses ($25–$150 annually). Check your city and county requirements. Most importantly, carry liability insurance that specifically covers house sitting—standard homeowner policies don’t include business operations. Your insurance should be at least $300,000 in coverage.
Tax-wise, you’re self-employed and must file Schedule C with your income tax return. Set aside 25–30% of earnings for federal and self-employment taxes. Keep records of all sits, payments, and business expenses (mileage, insurance, supplies).
Common Launch Mistakes
- Skipping insurance: Operating without liability coverage puts your personal assets at risk if something goes wrong. Don’t launch without it.
- Accepting every job: Taking sits that don’t fit your experience or location wastes time and leads to poor reviews. Be selective from the start.
- Underpricing significantly: Offering $30 sits when local rates are $70 attracts bargain-hunting clients who are often harder to work with and leave worse reviews.
- Relying on one platform: If one platform’s algorithm changes or you get a bad review, your income suffers. Diversify immediately.
- Poor communication: Not confirming details, sending updates, or responding quickly is the top reason house sitting sits get cancelled or result in bad reviews.
- Ignoring the contract: Assuming a verbal agreement is enough creates disputes. Use a written agreement every time, even for friends.
- Not tracking expenses: House sitters often forget to log mileage, supplies, or platform fees, which inflates perceived income and creates tax problems later.
- Launching without a trial sit: Ask a friend if you can watch their home or pets for free to test your systems, contract, and communication before charging a client.
Launching a house sitting business is straightforward if you start with the basics: insurance, a clear contract, and presence on trusted platforms. Your real growth comes from delivering excellent service and building a reputation. If you’re planning a larger business around house sitting—perhaps hiring other sitters or offering additional services—review our guide to launching online services and develop a formal business plan to clarify your goals and revenue projections.