How Laura Earns $1,500/Month House Sitting in Her Spare Time

Hi, I’m Laura and I started house sitting as a side hustle about four years ago. At the time, I was working full-time as a graphic designer but looking for a way to earn extra income without committing to another rigid schedule. What started as an occasional gig for friends and neighbors quickly turned into a consistent stream of clients through platforms like TrustedHousesitters and word-of-mouth referrals.

My house-sitting service includes staying at people’s homes while they’re away—taking care of pets, watering plants, collecting mail, and keeping the home secure. I’ve since built a little brand around it, and now offer premium add-ons like daily pet updates, light cleaning, and garden maintenance. I usually take on 2–3 bookings a month, especially during peak travel seasons.

I originally got into house sitting because I was trying to save money to travel while also looking for a way to have more flexibility in my schedule. I love animals, and I’ve always been someone who enjoys the quiet comfort of a well-kept home, so it felt like a perfect match. My first few gigs made me realize there’s a real demand for trustworthy, attentive house sitters—especially ones who can also provide reliable pet care.

Another big motivation was seeing how expensive kennels and boarding services were for pet owners. Many people would much rather have their pets stay in their familiar environment, and I realized I could fill that gap. It felt great to be able to offer peace of mind to people, knowing their home and furry friends were in good hands.

For me, success is about trust and repeat business. When clients feel so confident in my services that they rebook me or refer me to their friends, that’s the real win. It tells me I’m providing value that goes beyond just showing up—I'm offering peace of mind, which is incredibly important in this line of work.

Financially, I set goals each month based on the number of bookings I want to take, but I also measure success by how well I maintain balance with my other work and personal life. This side hustle is supposed to enhance my lifestyle, not drain me, so when I’m able to comfortably manage both my main job and house-sitting gigs while still enjoying some downtime, I know I’m doing it right.

If I were starting over, I would have created a basic website and branded my service sooner. For a long time, I relied only on third-party platforms, which were great for exposure but also competitive. Having my own online presence now has helped me stand out and attract higher-paying, more serious clients.

I also would’ve set clearer boundaries earlier—like defining what tasks I do and don’t offer. At first, I was too eager to please and found myself overextending, doing things like deep cleaning or errand running for no extra pay. Now I’ve learned to communicate expectations clearly from the start and stick to a well-defined service scope.

Start with your immediate network—friends, family, coworkers—and let them know you’re available. Trust is everything in house sitting, and having people vouch for you early on will help build your credibility. Don’t be afraid to do a couple of jobs at a lower rate to build up reviews and testimonials, especially if you're using online platforms.

Also, over-communicate with clients. Send updates, ask questions, and be extremely responsive. People are trusting you with their homes and pets—it’s a big deal. Being communicative, professional, and respectful goes a long way and often leads to repeat bookings. Finally, invest in a good digital checklist and calendar system so nothing slips through the cracks.

On average, I earn between $1,000 and $1,500 a month from house sitting, depending on the season and how many bookings I take. During peak travel times like summer and the holidays, that number can go up to $2,000 or more. Because I’m not paying for housing while on a job, I also save on my own utilities and food expenses, which adds to the value.

It’s a solid side income for me—enough to help pay off debt, save for travel, or invest in my creative projects. I’ve even had a few longer-term sits where the homeowners were abroad for several months, which really allowed me to stretch my budget. While I don’t see it replacing my full-time work, it’s become a rewarding and financially worthwhile part of my life.