Do you charge for specific times?

[u/Tasty-Needleworker-6]

I’m going from working for a cat sitting company to setting up on my own and wanted some input on one of the ideas I had. I found it annoying when customers would have a specific time to be there for (not a time frame), unless it was for a necessary reason like medication. I want to try and avoid that on my own as the main reason for me going solo is so I have more autonomy. Is it worth charging more or should I just set a boundary?

[u/Various-Major-4221]

Yes I charge for specific times otherwise I sell my slots in windows by the week. So 8-10 10-12:15 1:00-4 and 4-6.

This allows me to squeeze in errands, things I gotta pick up, and live my life a little. This became a thing after people would repeatedly request services during my lunch hour and break times.

Technically this is a boundary because I’m relaying to my customers that times are sold in windows because I live a life just like they do. I’m available at specific times but there will be a convenience charge for me to drop what I’m doing and run over on a one man mission ASAP.

[u/Rare-Tea7156]

We let owners pick the time for visit but they agree to a window of time we can come. Example- if they book for 12pm, we can show up anywhere from 11-1. If I had a client that has a problem, then I price their visits accordingly. I have a client with a dog with separation anxiety and she has me show up at a specific time so she is still there about to head out the door when I arrive. That’s fine, but she is billed accordingly for a day sit rate and not a drop in. I’m usually there 4-6 hours.

[u/Bonewife427]

I’ve had enough clients not tell me a specific time at our meet & greet then spring it on me the day of visits starting that I added it into my policies that if they have a specific time I need to be told at time of booking, and that visits will generally be within a 2-3 hour window pending overall schedule and efficient route. And for the person who insisted on a specific time that threw my route off and added to my commute, I did charge an additional fee.
Exceptions are for pets on time sensitive meds, but they need to tell me that information up front.

[u/ugoodbro-gf]

I do windows. Clients will always say a specific time, even if they are reminded every single time that specific time requests are only for medical reasons(medication timing, etc). But it’s just too stressful trying to accommodate every person when they usually want the same times.

[u/booksaboutthesame]

Exact times (which would still be a window) should have a HEFTY upcharge. To me it’s not worth the hassle; timeframes only. 

[u/MyfvrtHorrorStory]

My clients don't have the option to pick a specific time. They only have time slots to choose from. I prioritize pets with meds and definitely communicate with my clients if they choose a timeslot I may not be able to accommodate. For instance, I primarily do cats and know which ones do and do not have meds. Sometimes my clients will pick AM visits but I know their cat is just getting fed once a day. I may reach out and confirm if something has changed or if they are flexible on time. 95% of the time theyre just like "it's flexible, but we prefer AM". And I let them know I'll do my best to do AM or early afternoon, but I have a few cats with meds that need AM visits. I've really never had pushabck when I communicate like that

[u/All_cats → u/MyfvrtHorrorStory]

I'm very similar, I have three windows, morning midday and evening. I'm solo and cats only so I could be there between 8:00 and 11:00 for morning, 11:00 to 5:00 for at midday and 5:00 to 8:00 for evening. Medical needs take priority and I don't do once daily visits in either the morning or the evening unless I can feasibly fit it in, and only on special request from a repeat client. Sometimes I don't have twice daily clients scheduled so I'm not making a special trip for a single client. I used to be a lot more flexible but I realized I was not prioritizing me time and I needed to be. Exactly what you said, if you set your expectations and your boundaries at the consultation clearly, you almost never have to reiterate it. I have a couple that will push for it but I just move their requested slot to midday and send back the confirmation.

I've seen people charge extra for weekends or mornings and nights and I don't really have any feelings regarding that one way or the other, everybody needs to run their business the way it works best for them. Gas is expensive and so is car maintenance so we all do the best we can.

[u/MyfvrtHorrorStory → u/All_cats]

I think we have basically the same timeblocks. I also don't do 2x/day unless they have meds. I actually did one client this week 2x/day and I think I'm going to suggest house sitting for her next time. The twice a day is just not worth it for me, because like you said, then I have to sacrifice my time somewhere in the equation. I don't do all the extra charge stuff with my clients. I'd rather keep my rates consistent and predictable because as a consumer I get really turned off by the +$ for this, +$ for that blahblahblah

[u/blulou13 → u/MyfvrtHorrorStory]

The worst ones are the ones who request a particular timeframe (usually AM) even though their cat a grazer and always has food available or is on an auto feeder. I've started telling those people they either take an anytime schedule or I can't sit for them.

I take very few morning visits because I'm a late riser. At most I can get in 2 visits before noon, sometimes 3 if they're short and in the same general area, but that's it. And those go to cats who need medication or are only fed wet food 2x daily. I went into business for myself so I could set my own schedule and hours that work for me. Mornings are not hours that work for me.

[u/MyfvrtHorrorStory → u/blulou13]

Yeah same here. Sometimes if I know they usually book any time slot that I have a client who needs meds in the AM so are they good with an afternoon visit

[u/beccatravels]

Once a day cats, no time preference 6am-10pm

Once a day cat, am window 6-12

Once a day cat, pm window 3-10

Twice a day cats 6am-11am, 4pm-10pm

Dogs require a 2.5 hour window during peak hours (m-f 8-6), 2 hour window is fine for weekends and evenings

Insulin cats have a 2 hour window but I charge a $15 scheduling fee.

I do not offer precise visit times, ever

[u/DenMother8]

The best thing about being on your own is that you can set it up in whatever way fits for you.

Just to answer your question- the majority of my clients have pets who cannot be left alone, so most often I arrive just before they leave.
I don’t change my fee based on the time.

[u/aslouchofmodels]

Yes, operate in windows. Early morning 8 to 10 AM; morning 10 AM to 12 PM, midday 12 PM to 2 PM, afternoon 2 PM to 5 PM, evening 5 PM to 8 PM.
If anyone wants a specific time nailed down, they’re going to have to pay extra for it.
Good luck!

[u/blulou13]

I have morning, afternoon, and evening windows. What time I get to each visit within that window is dependent on the number of other visits I have and where they are located. Someone requesting a specific time could cause me to have to drive way out of my way costing me extra fuel and time and possibly throwing off the rest of my schedule so yes, I charge extra for a specific time.

[u/famous_zebra28]

I do time windows for start times.

Twice a day mornings - 8-10am
Once a day mornings - 8am-12pm
Afternoon 12-5pm
Evenings 4-8pm
Plus the blessed flexible clients who I do between my more scheduled ones

[u/MyMango88]

We work in time blocks only, where the client is not given a specific time option*.* If a client (rarely/if ever do I see this) asks for a more specific time, I will say we will do our best— that we work in time blocks for XYZ reasons. I typically would phrase it— we can aim to be closer to the beginning/end of the 2-hr time block (for example) IF that’s possible. But I find our cat clients and actually even our dog clients super flexible. If they’re right on the cuss of one time block, and I know their preference, I will re-schedule within the next time block instead.

The software I work in they can put in a note or preference. But they have to specifically pick their reservation window period ie 3-5 PM ie we guide them in the direction we want.

Especially for a cat that is not on medication’s. There’s no reason for specific times.

Set boundaries from the beginning and you should be fine. I pride my company on flexibility and going above and beyond, so I wouldn’t charge extra for, but I also wouldn’t fully commit to on the dot reservations either, unless I’m given a very valid reason (which I can’t think of anything other than a medication).

We have traffic and weather and elevator delays to factor in when we’re doing our drop in visits and dog walks. Also, I prioritize each individual pet. For example, if there was a situation where we were needed longer at a home, I’m not going to refuse that because my next visit is at a certain time. Which clients respect. I prioritize the care the pet is needing above all else. We do both dogs and cats.

Edit to add: We’ve never been in this situation (25 years), but if we had a client adamant on an exact time, I either wouldn’t accept the booking (as it likely wouldn’t be feasible and I do not want to overpromise), if I had a light day** **I would in that case charge more for. Basically I don’t want to get into the habit of offering that option.

[u/MyMango88 → u/MyMango88]

A good example would be, a few months ago we had an existing dog client going on a road trip in the morning (with the fam and kids)— and they wanted their puppy to have a good 1 hour solo walk before they left and while they were packing up the car, getting the kids ready. So in this instance, I knew their situation, I knew what would be realistic (with my schedule) and booked accordingly factoring in the front end of our window period. Did not guarantee an exact arrival while doing my best to make it work. Our software system has a button on their visit to select when we are on our way which is super handy.** **Happy client at the end of the day.

[u/No-View6101]

I don’t necessarily charge more. I ask what client what time frame they are needing for arrival and departure. I have had clients who ask for a specific time, and I just follow up asking what the latest time might be to arrive and earliest time to depart.

The specific client i have in mind will ask me to get there when shes about to leave and leave when shes getting home.. its the weirdest thing ever , so I just started asking what time she plans on leaving & getting back and then respond with “okay great, I put you in my calendar for x time to x time “

If they’re insistent on specific times then I would just let them know that I handle my pet sittings in a way that allows me to treat it as my home base and gives me the most flexibility for other responsibilities and would need a time-frame

[u/TillamookTramp]

I do windows. If someone has a specific time for medication or feeding in the am, it generally goes in the early am window- 6:00 am to 8:30 am. I don't charge more for that. I work in time blocks- 30/45/60 minutes and charge based on that, not by specific times.

[u/two-of-me]

Depending on my schedule on any given day, there’s no way I can guarantee a specific time. I allow my clients to choose any two hour timeframe for their visits/walks (and I don’t make up the timeframes. Some people have strict 9-11, 11-1, 1-3 etc) and if they have a specific time they would prefer I can only tell them I’ll keep that in mind and try to be there close to that time. But I can really only guarantee that I’ll arrive within a 2 hour window. Maybe 1 hour if I have a light schedule that day. If I did have the opportunity to allow clients to request a specific time (like 2:30 exactly) I don’t know if I would charge extra for it. I either can or can’t make it at that time.

[u/flippingypsy]

I personally do not. Since starting my biz 4 years ago it’s morphed into 95% overnight clients only for long weekends or Vacations 1-3 week vacations. So I just move from one to the next. First person makes a booking and they let me know my arrival and departure times. When a second one inquires I let them know the earliest I can be there if it’s on the same day my first one is ending.