Starting a house sitting business is one of the lower-barrier service businesses you can launch — no office, minimal equipment, and steady demand from homeowners who travel. But "low barrier to entry" doesn't mean "no strategy required." Here's exactly how to build a legitimate, scalable operation.
Define Your Service Scope First
Before you take a single client, decide what you're actually offering. House sitting isn't one thing — it's a range of services with very different pricing and liability profiles.
Common service tiers include:
- Basic presence – staying overnight, collecting mail, deterring break-ins
- Pet care add-on – feeding, walking, and administering medication to animals
- Property maintenance – watering plants, managing pool chemicals, minor upkeep checks
- Concierge-level – coordinating tradespeople, handling deliveries, managing smart home systems
Knowing your scope shapes your pricing, your insurance needs, and the clients you attract. Starting with basic presence and one add-on is usually the smartest move.
Set Up Your Legal and Insurance Foundation
Operating without proper business structure is a real risk. At minimum, register as a sole proprietor or LLC depending on your state — an LLC typically costs $50–$500 to file and gives you personal liability protection.
More importantly, get general liability insurance specific to in-home service providers. Policies typically run $300–$800 per year and cover property damage you might accidentally cause. If you're handling pets, look for pet sitter liability coverage as a rider or separate policy. Platforms like Next Insurance or NAPSPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters) can connect you with suitable plans.
Draft a clear client contract template that covers:
- Entry/exit dates and times
- Responsibilities explicitly listed
- Emergency contact protocols
- What happens if you need to cancel
Never start a job without a signed agreement.
Price Your Services Competitively
House sitting rates vary significantly by region and scope. As a baseline:
- Overnight stays: $50–$150 per night depending on location and duties
- Drop-in visits (not overnight): $20–$45 per visit
- Pet care add-ons: $10–$25 per pet per night
- Long-term stays (30+ days): often discounted 10–20% for reliability
Research what other sitters in your zip code charge on platforms like Rover, Care.com, or local Facebook groups. Don't race to the bottom — clients who pay the lowest rates tend to have the highest expectations and worst boundaries.
Build Your Client Acquisition System
Word of mouth is powerful but slow. You need multiple channels working simultaneously, especially early on.
Direct outreach is underrated. Introduce yourself to neighbors, post in local neighborhood apps like Nextdoor, and leave business cards at veterinary offices, pet supply stores, and real estate agencies (they often know clients relocating temporarily).
Online presence matters even for local service businesses. Create a simple one-page website with your services, pricing, a short bio, and a contact form. Add your business to Google Business Profile so you appear in local searches for "house sitter near me."
Listing on a marketplace like Mercoly gets your services in front of homeowners actively searching for house sitters — it's a fast way to start generating leads and build your client pipeline without relying entirely on referrals.
Screen Clients and Properties Before You Commit
Not every client is a good fit. Do a walkthrough visit before agreeing to any job. During the walkthrough, check:
- Pet temperament and care complexity
- Condition of the property (you don't want to inherit maintenance issues)
- Clarity of their expectations vs. what you're offering
- Security — do working locks, alarms, and lighting exist?
Ask about their emergency contacts, their vet's information if pets are involved, and what "urgent" situations you're authorized to handle independently versus wait for their approval.
Create Systems That Let You Scale
Once you have repeat clients, start thinking about operations rather than just gigs. Build a simple client management system — even a spreadsheet tracking bookings, contacts, notes, and payment history works at first. Tools like HoneyBook or Jobber offer more structure as you grow.
If demand outpaces your availability, consider bringing on vetted subcontractors. Vet them the way you'd want a client to vet you: background checks, references, and a trial job before solo assignments.
Build a review collection habit from day one. After every job, send a short follow-up message thanking the client and asking for a review on Google or your platform of choice. Forty legitimate five-star reviews will do more for your business than most paid advertising.
Keep Repeat Clients for Predictable Revenue
One-time clients are fine. Repeat clients are your business. Offer a loyalty discount for clients who book four or more stays per year. Send a brief check-in email before holiday seasons — that's when demand spikes and people scramble for reliable sitters.
Reliability and communication will always be your biggest competitive advantages in this industry.
Create your free Mercoly listing today and start connecting with homeowners who need exactly what you offer.