Should Pet Sitters Charge a Late Fee when Pets Are Picked Up Late?

Late fees are part and parcel of life, whether you are returning a movie late or you work as a childcare provider and you charge parents extra when you have to mind their children for longer than usual. But if you are pet sitting, should you do the same when pet owners are late in arriving home or picking up their pets from you? What are your choices and what alternatives are there available?

Establish a Flat Rate

An easy way to avoid the awkwardness of charging a late fee on top of your normal pet sitting rate is to establish a flat rate for your services before you even start the job. That way, if the owners are an hour late, you are not sitting there fuming at their tardiness and biting your tongue to keep from lashing out at them. But even when you set a flat rate, let pet owners know of a time range (of say, an hour or two) that you are willing to work with, to allow you both some leeway and to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

Mention Late Fees Upfront

If you prefer the idea of sticking to a set hourly rate and tacking on late charges for pet owners who do not arrive home on time, let them know how you operate upfront, so that they are not shocked when they receive a higher pet sitting bill. Be very specific and outline how you work out your costs. For example, you may allow the first 15 minutes for free, but if they are 30, 45 or more minutes late, you will start charging them.

Keep a Time Log

Pet sitters should make it a practice to keep a time log. Doing so serves as a protection and allows you to "clock in" and "clock out" again and lessens the chances of a heated dispute when clients return only to discover that they owe you more than expected. Keep a careful log of each visit you have made and how long you were with the pet. Then present this to clients upon their return. If they are late, include the extra time.

Charging a late fee as a pet sitter can be hard to implement, especially if you are just starting out and you do not wish to scare off new clients. But if you do not, then you could end up working for a lot less than you had agreed to. There are a number of options that can work for you. You can establish a flat rate, mention late fees upfront or keep a time log and then charge for the time you spent with pets. Taking care of business beforehand can help you avoid any awkward moments later on.