Small Business Idea: House-Sitters Provide a Valuable Service People are Willing to Pay For

A Home Business Article Contributed by Donna M. Brown

Live the Good Life with This Small Business Idea

If you are footloose and fancy free, you could turn this small business idea into an opportunity to live the good life in other people's homes. Establish yourself as a house-sitter and you will find generous clients who appreciate the peace of mind you bring.

Depending on the area in which you live, this small business idea could cause you to be in great demand year round as people leave for vacations, seasonal housing in other locations, business trips and religious or humanitarian mission.

This Small Business Idea Requires You to Plan Ahead

Before you begin advertising your house-sitting small business idea, outline the specific services you will and will not perform. Are you willing to do some light house-keeping such as dusting and vacuuming or pool maintenance? Will you water house plants? Will you care for outdoor yards and gardens and to what extent?

You need to establish a list of rules for yourself as you develop this small business idea. Seek references who are willing to give testimony that you are trustworthy, honest, clean, handy at making small repairs and following through with maintenance assignments. Ask landlords to give references as to your cleanliness and dependability. Have them write letters of recommendation and have telephone numbers ready just in case your potential clients want to call them.

In order to be successful at this small business, your references and standards must be impeccable. Prepare a brochure and on one page present your oath to protect and care for property in the owners' absence while respecting the owners' privacy. Let clients know you are prepared to take responsibility for any damage incurred as a result of your negligence. Consult with a bonding and insurance agent about what kind of liability insurance you should purchase and establish early on how legal disputes will be handled.

Have a form prepared for potential clients to sign that will make ground rules clear to both of you. On that form ask owners to list routine caretaking responsibilities. Ask if you are allowed to have guests, find out which parts of the house and property you are allowed to use while you stay there and find out who else is allowed on the property and in buildings on the property.

Ask for a complete list of others who will be coming and going with the owners' permission such as gardeners, maintenance workers, hired hands, friends and neighbors.

If pets will be left in your care, ask for a written description of the pet, license numbers, shot records and the telephone number of the pet's preferred vet. Ask for written instructions on properly caring for the pet.

Request detailed information about security systems and a list of emergency telephone numbers including the names and addresses of property insurance agents.

Market This Small Business Idea Throughout Affluent Neighborhoods and Business Communities

The clients to which you should appeal with this small business idea are the affluent. Word travels fast and all you need is one client to give you a chance to get the ball rolling -- providing you take excellent care of the client's interests.

Advertise in business buildings, employee newsletters, online, in grocery stores in affluent neighborhoods, in large newspapers and by personally visiting individuals who you know could use your services.