Two different models
Free-exchange
Platforms like TrustedHousesitters and Nomador. Sitters get free accommodation; you get free pet care. Both pay a membership fee.
Cost: Platform membership ($100–200/year)
Paid housesitting
You hire someone directly. They're compensated for their time and expertise. No platform in the middle.
Cost: $350–600/week (varies by region)
When free-exchange works brilliantly
- Desirable location that sitters want to visit
- Flexible dates with good lead time
- Straightforward pet care (healthy pets, simple routine)
- You're comfortable taking whoever applies
- Budget is the primary concern
Millions of successful sits have happened this way. The model genuinely works.
The challenges with free-exchange
In housesitting communities, certain concerns come up repeatedly from homeowners:
You can't choose who you want
You post a listing and wait for applications. If the sitter you want doesn't apply, that's that. Popular dates can mean many applications – but from the wrong people.
Cancellation risk
When sitters have no financial stake, some treat bookings as tentative. A better opportunity comes along, and suddenly they need to "reschedule." This isn't universal, but it's a real pattern.
The lottery factor
Will you get the experienced retired couple who are meticulous – or the gap-year traveller who just wants a free bed? Experience varies wildly.
Peak period competition
Holiday dates are competitive. Sitters can pick the most attractive sits. If your home isn't in a glamorous location, you might struggle.
What paying changes
The real cost comparison
For a two-week trip with one or two dogs (see our full rates guide for more detail):
| Option | Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Free-exchange platform | $0 (plus membership) | Whoever applies and you select |
| Kennels | $700–1,200+ | Dogs away from home, stressed |
| Paid housesitter | $600–1,000 | The sitter you chose, at home, 24/7 care |
The maths: Paid housesitting often costs less than kennels, with better care and your home occupied. It costs more than free-exchange – but you're paying for choice, reliability, and peace of mind.
When each model makes sense
Stick with free-exchange if:
- • Budget is the priority
- • You have flexible dates
- • Your location is desirable to sitters
- • Simple, healthy pets
- • You're comfortable with whoever applies
Consider paying if:
- • You want a specific, proven sitter
- • Peak holiday dates
- • Complex or medical pet needs
- • Your location isn't a tourist draw
- • You've had unreliable experiences before
- • You want to build a repeat relationship
Browse experienced, verified sitters · See our current pricing
The risk calculation
Beyond direct costs, there's another factor homeowners rarely calculate explicitly: risk. What happens when things go wrong?
The hidden costs of problems
- Last-minute cancellation
Emergency boarding: $50–100/day. Flight changes: $200+. Stress: immeasurable. This happens more often with free-exchange sitters who have less financial stake.
- Inexperienced care
Missed medication, pet injury, emergency vet visits. The “free” option suddenly costs thousands – plus your pet's wellbeing.
- Home issues
Damage, cleaning disputes, security concerns. Most housesitting insurance has significant exclusions.
- Peace of mind (or lack of)
Spending your trip worrying because you're not sure about your sitter. Hard to put a price on, but real.
The probability question
Most free-exchange sits go fine. But “most” isn't “all.”
If you estimate a 5% chance of a significant problem (cancellation, substandard care, damage), and that problem would cost you $1,000+ in money, stress, and consequences – the “expected cost” of free isn't zero. It's the probability times the impact.
A 5% chance of a $1,500 problem = $75 “expected cost” per sit. Over several trips, that adds up – and doesn't account for the stress.
What you're paying for
When you pay a verified, experienced sitter, you're not just buying their time. You're buying:
- Lower cancellation risk – financial commitment creates accountability
- Proven competence – 20+ successful sits isn't luck
- Professional mindset – they're invested in doing excellent work
- Peace of mind – you can actually relax on your trip
The premium for a paid sitter might be $400–600 over “free.” Compared to the potential costs of problems – and the certainty of reduced stress – that's often a rational investment, not an expense.
The bottom line
Free-exchange platforms are excellent. Millions of sits prove it. But they work best when you have flexibility and an attractive offering for sitters.
Paid housesitting solves a different problem: when you want to choose a specific experienced sitter, guarantee the booking, and not leave things to chance. The cost is often comparable to kennels – with better care and your home occupied.