|
Handy Hints
For Owners and Sitters, please
remember, the arrangements you make are
mutually beneficial - not just for the benefit of the owner or the
sitter.
A little friendly courtesy and assistance from both sides will make for a
much more enjoyable experience for all.....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available for anywhere ...
I'm available for anywhere so
why include example locations?
Think from the
Home owners point of view - they will begin their search for sitters by
searching for their location - eg Hamburg.
The search tool responds by listing only entries that include Hamburg.
If the owner finds no-one suitable listed for Hamburg, they would then
search under Germany. The search tool would then list all entries that
include Germany, which could be quite a few.
Remember, the internet is still just a computer out-putting what has been
input.
By listing a few example city/area names within each country your details
will be viewed by more owners. That does not mean the sitter has to list
every city in every country.
But a few example place names from each country often helps your listing
to not be buried among many others who are also available for anywhere.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planning
Ahead
From several
sitters -
We're continually booked well in advance but surprisingly still find owners
looking for urgent sitters who, for various reasons, hadn't planned ahead...
Owners should start contacting sitters as soon as they have rough dates so
sitters can fit you into their itinerary.
Some sitters are booked 6-12 months in advance
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advice for owners from a
very experienced House sitting couple
Dear Danny,
A few comments I have to make regarding the perspective of the house sitter,
as opposed to the house owner. The site accentuates the requirements of the
house owner, but not of what could be expected of them by the actual sitter.
Having 27 sits behind us we have an opinion to share perhaps.
Obviously anyone sitting a house with garden, pool and pets are saving a
bundle in pet boarding and maintenance of garden and pool care, not to
mention security and special requests. No payment has ever been offered to
us, but the diversity of consideration is amazing. Our present sit
... for eight weeks is a prime example. A huge
basket of champagne and nibbles was left out for us, basics of milk, bread
and coffee. The cleaning materials were all new, including dishwasher
detergent and laundry powder. There was a full canister of petrol for the
mower, the car given for our use had a full tank. We are not required to pay
utilities.
We have had sits where we have needed to work four hours a day, only dregs
of cleaning materials, and a whole list of things we were expected to do,
all for free of course. Considered as cheap caretakers. The pet food was not
supplied for the length of time the owners were away and we were expected to
provide it. This is one-sided.
We felt exploited.
House sitters enjoy the opportunity of travelling and being part of a
neighbourhood as opposed to a tourist, not for free accommodation, and also
deserve consideration.
Another place we sat had removed the computer modem and had the telephone
disconnected in case we would read their email or use the phone.
(Imagine) A family member had a key and came when we were out to
'check'. The neighbours were also asked to keep an eye on us, how those
curtains twitched! Everyone has bad experiences, but sometimes they stick in
one's mind and can really mar any future plans for sitting.
Danny, perhaps you might consider to give some guidelines of sitters needs
on the website, after all, we do provide the service!
Off to the US again in four week's time, for six months. We have enjoyed OZ
as ever.
Kind regards, (Names supplied)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou so much
for the constructive feedback - We really do hope both owners and sitters
can work together in mutual appreciation of what should be a
win-win situation!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HINTS FOR HOUSE SITTERS - from
Alan & Dawn
Supplying References
As a guide I have scanned all our references into JPEG format and as
soon as we get a call I just email the
house owner a copy of all of them
immediately. (strike whilst the iron is hot!).
I have also asked all the previous house
owners that we have sat for to verify their written references
by phone if they are asked and the person doing the asking can
quote something that is written in the
reference. ALL HAVE AGREED TO THIS!
Kindest Regards, Alan & Dawn
Many thanks Alan & Dawn
Helpful hints from experienced sitters are always welcome
Danny - Housesitworld -
Jan 2005
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HINTS FOR HOUSE SITTING - from Rosemary & Ken
We have been actively
house sitting for 2½
years, have enjoyed the experiences, loved the animals with a passion
and offer some hints for those considering house sitting or looking
for sitters. We have not found any other guidelines and the following
are our personal thoughts that may help.
TRUST
IS A MAJOR FACTOR for both the sitter and house owner. No money
changes hands and in the majority of cases beloved pets are a main
feature of house sitting.
OUR
AIMS are:
To provide a caring and loving environment for pets
To care for the property and gardens as we would our own
To get to know and be involved with local communities
To hand back a pet sad to see us go but
pleased his people are home and a house and garden in as good or
better condition than when we took over.
WHAT WE DO
ANSWER EMAILS PROMPTLY even if you can’t accommodate a request and
sometimes this can be several a week. We were amazed that people do
not reply.
OFFER
REFERENCES although we have found they are rarely taken up.
IF YOU CAN DO A SIT there will probably be a few emails and phone
calls and a chance to get to know each other.
We
endeavour to meet our “sittees” before the requested date for a few
reasons:
Ensuring we are suitable for their needs
To meet the pets
To arrange a hand over (can be at this
visit) before they leave and a time for us to arrive on the hand over
day. Most are off on overseas travel and we fel the last thing anyone
needs before the flight is a handover and get to know you session.
For us to feel comfortable with the
environment. We have never had a problem but have heard an odd horror
story.
To leave a check list to be filled out
prior to our arrival for hand over. This includes pet routines,
emergency contact numbers, services, mail forwarding, position of
water, power, gas mains and pumps.
PET
FOOD is usually left to cover the length of holiday or regular pre
paid arrangements made for fresh food supplies. If we need to buy we
keep dockets.
CAR
TRAVEL we check if the dogs are seasoned travellers and some have
done a lot of site seeing with us.
VOLUNTEER
ROSTERS we are happy to fill in for Meals on Wheels, Op shops etc.
Get to know the locals this way.
WE
SUPPLY all our own food (replace anything borrowed from freezer or
pantry), personal needs, laundry needs.
WE
USE house linen
House phone for local calls only. STD
and O/S calls are made from pre paid cards or our mobile
Power and water as economically as we can
Cleaning products left or our own
preferred items as there are not always supplies available. We have
created a “sitting cleaning bag” over the time.
Gardening equipment. Ken usually adds a plant
or two before he leaves.
Computer, mainly word processing. Some leave
us some internet access
IF A BUSINESS IN INVOLVED we keep a running sheet of messages and a
spreadsheet of finances. We will bank if required, arrange staff, do
bookings, etc.
HOUSEHOLD
INSURANCE most people let their insurance company know about house
sitters caring for their property.
WE
DO NOT give out phone contacts, unless requested to do so. We take
messages, make the contact ourselves and hand on the message.
ON
DEPARTURE DAY
Linen is changed and at least washed and on the line
We have a cuppa ready
We hand over, have a chat and leave
that day. We feel that on return people need to do their own thing and
we are ready to travel on.
We keep in touch with most families
and visit when back in their areas. We are keen photographers and have
some fantastic pet reference snaps.
We have a post box in Queensland and arrange our own mail
redirections.
We do ask prospective “sittees” about caravan storage as we are Grey
Nomads with our caravan “on our backs” If we cannot keep the van at
the property we do ask the “sittees” to advise us on storage
facilities in their area.
If you are “boiled egg” fans, take an egg cup with you!!
Happy Sitting it’s a wonderful way to meet people and enjoy community
spirit
Rosemarie
and Ken Penney, Australia,
Aug 2004
Click here to download a copy of their "info" sheet below - in excel
format
Many thanks to Rosemarie and
Ken for sending these hints and info sheet.
I hope their efforts assist you in having as a great an experience as
they have.
Danny - Housesitworld - Aug 2004
|
