Why
Use A Housesitter? | Preparing Your Home
In An Emergency | Errands/Additional
Services
House sitting is a service which provides on-site care to ensure your home is free of security or maintenance problems while you’re away. A house sitter may also take care of routine appointments or errands while you’re at work. This service may be performed during the day or evening on an as needed basis, or may be requested for longer-term assignments. Below are some situations when a house sitter may be able to help:
• You are going on vacation or a business trip and you want someone to check on your home or water your plants.
• You work long hours and you need someone to meet a repairman, contractor, installer, or movers during the day.
• You have an illness or injury and you need help doing errands while in the hospital or as you are recovering.
• You are unexpectedly called away and need someone to help manage your affairs while you are gone.
• You have purchased a second home and need someone to monitor the first one while you prepare it for sale or for renters.
• You want back up at-the-ready in case an emergency or disaster strikes while you are away.
Hiring a house sitter lets you relax knowing that you’ve left your home in capable hands…with someone who knows you and your preferences if something needs attention or repair while you’re not there.
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Home owners hire house sitters just like they hire personal services such as house keepers, lawn care specialists, and other providers. Hiring a house sitter allows you to avoid imposing on your friends and family every time you leave town or have to work an intensive schedule.
House sitters care for your home per your specific instructions.
Some of what your house sitter will do:
• Check outside perimeter, doors, each room, windows, take in the mail and newspapers, change lighting, care for plants, take out trash/recycle, and give your home the “lived-in look”.
• Meet repair persons for appointments, take in deliveries, purchase/deliver food and home supplies, pick up dry cleaning, personal shopping, run other household errands per your request.
Other duties are considered per owner request.
Your time is valuable. Use a house sitter to make sure your home and personal affairs are cared for while you are away.
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How can you prepare your house before you leave?
Being prepared to be away from your home is crucial to your ability to relax while you are gone. Here are some ways to ensure that you are all set:
1. Always make sure your house sitter knows when you are leaving (date and hour) and when you plan to return (date and hour).
2. Leave all appropriate phone numbers as well as your cell phone, pager, fax or whatever contact information you have (such as conference organizer, hotel, relative’s cell etc).
3. Make sure your house sitter has all your keys, garage door opener and/or any other items or codes necessary to enter your home. If you have an alarm system, don’t forget to notify your service that your house sitter will be entering your home.
4. Notify any appropriate neighbors or family members that you have hired a house sitter and that the sitter has permission to be going in and out of your home.
5. Leave a list of any appointments or services which will be simultaneously being provided (such as lawn and garden care, house cleaners etc) as well as contact phone numbers for these providers.
6. Leave a list of instructions for house plant care, fertilizer, watering schedule, mail/forwarding instructions, shopping lists etc.
7. Make sure you have provided guidelines for visitors who may also enter the home, how you would damages or emergencies to be handled.
8. Make sure to provide your house sitter with other local contact persons with respective phone numbers who have access to your home in case of emergency.
9. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, you may also want to notify the police that you will be gone.
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What happens if there is an emergency while you’re
gone?
If there is an emergency for your home:
First, your house sitter will notify the police, fire, or other emergency agency or service to help take care of the problem. The house sitter will heavily rely on the services outlined in the Service Agreement as first choice providers for home repair or similar other problems.
Then, your house sitter will attempt to contact you at the numbers provided for decisions to be made. If you are unable to be reached, the house sitter will use his or her best judgment to ensure your home is cared for appropriately until you can be contacted.
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Your house sitter may be asked to provide a variety of services. They may include but are not limited to:
• Grocery shopping
• Picking up supplies, dry cleaning or other items
• Organizing closets, cupboards, interior spaces
• Personal shopping, like holiday, birthday, retirement gifts or cards
• Scheduling appointments or providing ‘reminders’
• Helping plan, arrange, or provide help with personal events like family reunions, weddings, luncheons, and parties
• Help with business events such as conferences, meetings, airport greeting, and seminars
Don’t hesitate to ask if the service you need help with isn’t listed above. Your house sitter will consider helping you with many different types of projects or assignments.
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Decide you would like to have a house sitter when you’re away? Call The Sitters at 253-661-SITT (7488).
“Nanny
for your pets, caretaker for your home”
