SitSignal Guides

Extended care rate: what it is and how it works

The Extended Care rate is an automatic charge on house sitting and dog boarding when the pick-up time is much later than the drop-off time. It keeps sitter pay fair for longer stays, and it's shown to both sides before payment.

How it works

Clients set drop-off and pick-up times when booking. The fee kicks in when the final-day pickup is more than two hours after the original drop-off, calculated per pet.

  • 2–8 extra hours beyond 24 hours: 50% of the nightly rate
  • More than 8 extra hours: 100% of the nightly rate

The revised total is shown before the client pays.

Why extended care exists

  • Protects sitter availability by compensating for blocked scheduling windows
  • Sets transparent pricing before the booking is confirmed
  • Reduces disputes through upfront disclosure

Removing or waiving it

Extended Care can't be turned off system-wide, but sitters can adjust the booking price when both sides agree to something different.

Best practice: communicate early, update the booking details, and confirm both sides agree before the stay ends.