House sitting prices for Festive period?

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H.K.D

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Hi

I have been asked to house sit over Christmas and am new to this so am looking for some advice from people who have paid or get paid to house sit. And whether or not I should charge more as it is Christmas

Big House 1hr19mins from my home.
4 horses
3 dogs
some chickens.

I have been offered £30 a day for this, which would involve living there, walking the dogs and looking after 4 horses who live out (unless snowing). I said I wouldn't really be able to do it as I live to far and have 3 ponies myself, so she has offered that they can come.. (doesn't save me anything in livery costs etc just means wont need to go home). Therefore I can do it. It is for 20 days over Christmas, which includes

-Christmas Eve
-Christmas Day
-Boxing Day
-New years eve
-New years day

I will also be riding two of the horses and she has said I will be paid extra for this. I have read online that for the amount of animals most people would get more pay.. Also my family and friends have commented on the fact I will have to wake up alone on Christmas, drive all the way home for lunch, then back and not really enjoying it all that much. Fine by me but not sure the money is good enough?

Do I
a) Ask for more daily? Riding extra?
b) Ask for slightly more daily and then a set price for the days above over xmas and new year?
c) Ask for much more daily but include riding in that cost?
d) Stick with £30 a day but ask for more for the above dates and set a price for riding asap.

Also what shall I charge to ride each horse?

Any suggestions much appreciated.

I am fully covered insurance wise.
 
I certainly wouldn't do that for £30 per day. If you went to somewhere like animal aunts or house sitters they'd be charged prob a £1k over the key period of xmas.

If you want to do it I'd say £1k and all the riding they want. Its not just the animals you are looking after its the fact you won't have your own xmas so to speak, unless friends/ family travel to you its looks a pretty lonely time.
 
But it's not like 4 weeks work. The op is being paid to do not very much. I think £30 is very reasonable. £50 would be better. However, £600 for doing very little is brilliant, I'd say.
 
Thank you for the replies. I agree I have to do 'very little' and to be fair what I will be doing is enjoyable work.. in a lovely place.

My main worry is it is Christmas, I am 22 and therefore enjoy seeing my friends, going home for Christmas, the Boxing Day Hunt etc.. Some which will be sacrificed, and others achievable but will cost me a lot in diesel.

Normally I would accept that price, charge for riding and that'd be fine.

Just not sure which option to take. As normally I would just live in and not need to go home, but Christmas is different.

Thanks :)
I think I will just have an honest chat with the lady, I do not know her but I have been recommended to her.
 
I would be happy to do for 30 a day at would prob ask for closer to 50 especially for Christmas day, boxing day and New years day as they are bank holidays.
Sounds ok tho presume you will be using her hay and bedding whilst yours are there? If not then i would ask for that.
As for riding i have paid 15 an hour for riding but that was only once a week. If doing every day would charge less maybe 7.50-10 for each horse. Presuming they are easy to ride and your just keeping ticking over.
 
H.K.D said:
Thank you for the replies. I agree I have to do 'very little' and to be fair what I will be doing is enjoyable work.. in a lovely place.

My main worry is it is Christmas, I am 22 and therefore enjoy seeing my friends, going home for Christmas, the Boxing Day Hunt etc.. Some which will be sacrificed, and others achievable but will cost me a lot in diesel.

Normally I would accept that price, charge for riding and that'd be fine.

Just not sure which option to take. As normally I would just live in and not need to go home, but Christmas is different.

Thanks :)
I think I will just have an honest chat with the lady, I do not know her but I have been recommended to her.
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i dont see how having a chat is gonna help, if you dont want to work over christmas and new year thats your choice and one everyone will understand. you wont get that time back however much she pays you
 
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