Cancellation Policy

Please, read this policy carefully before booking. 

I understand that plans change, and I always try to be fair and reasonable. At the same time, I’m a one-woman service: when I reserve time for you, I often turn down other work, and for longer or distant jobs I may spend money on travel and arrangements.

This policy is here to protect both of us.

1. Local Services (Babysitting, Elderly Companionship, Errands, Personal Organising)

a) Cancelling more than 48 hours before the booking

• Your deposit is refundable 

• No further payment is due
  
  

b) Cancelling less than 48 hours before the booking (but not on the day)

• Your deposit is non-refundable (50% of the total fee)
  
  

c) Cancelling on the day / within 24 hours / after I’ve set off / when I arrive

If you cancel within 24 hours, on the day of the booking or after I have already set off, or if I arrive and you no longer want the service:

• The full fee for the booking is due, including

  • My time, and

  • Any travel costs already incurred or agreed in advance
    
    

This protects me from losing income and travel costs for work I have kept time free for.

2. House Sitting & House + Pet Sitting (UK)

a) Cancelling more than 7 days before the start date

• Your 50% deposit is non-refundable

• No further payment is due
  
  

b) Cancelling 7–3 days before the start date

• 75% of the total booking fee is due

  • Your deposit will be kept and counts towards this amount

  • If you have paid more than 75% in advance, I will refund the difference
    
    

c) Cancelling less than 72 hours (3 days) before the start date, or after the sit has started

• 100% of the total booking fee is due

• Any agreed travel costs and non-refundable expenses (for example, trains/ferries booked specifically for your sit) are also non-refundable
  
  

This reflects the fact that it is very unlikely I can replace a multi-day booking at such short notice.

3. International House Sitting

Because international sits require more planning and higher up-front costs (such as flights):

• Deposits and any non-refundable travel costs (flights, trains, etc.) are non-refundable once booked. I usually ask clients to pay for the flights in advance. 

• If you cancel more than 14 days before the sit:

  • You lose your deposit and any non-refundable travel costs, but no further fee is due

• If you cancel 14–7 days before the sit:

  • 75% of the total sit fee is due, plus any non-refundable travel/travel changes

• If you cancel less than 7 days before the sit or after it has started:

  • 100% of the total sit fee is due, plus any non-refundable travel/travel changes
    
    

Exact terms for each international sit will be agreed in writing before you confirm.

4. If I Have to Cancel

In the very rare event that I need to cancel (for example, due to illness or an emergency):

• I will notify you as soon as possible

• I will refund any payments you have made to me for that booking in full (including deposit and balance)

• For house sits, I will do my best to help you find an alternative sitter, but I cannot guarantee this
  
  

I am not responsible for any additional costs you incur as a result (such as alternative pet care, hotel charges or travel changes), so it may be worth considering your own travel insurance for bigger trips.

5. Weather and Motorcycle Safety (very important)

I travel to all bookings by motorcycle. I am happy to ride in normal rain, but I cannot safely travel in some weather conditions – for example:

• Severe storms or weather warnings

• Very high winds

• Ice, heavy snow or other conditions that make riding unsafe

• Flooding or climate-related emergencies affecting the route
  
  

Because of this, I cannot guarantee every booking in all weather conditions. If I believe it is unsafe or irresponsible to ride to you, I reserve the right to cancel or reschedule your booking at short notice.

If I have to cancel a booking due to unsafe weather:

• I will notify you as soon as reasonably possible, and

• I will refund any payments you have made to me for that booking in full (including deposit and balance)
  
  

However, I cannot accept responsibility for any additional costs you incur as a result (for example, alternative childcare or pet care, travel changes, hotel costs or lost income), so for bigger trips it may be worth considering your own insurance or backup plan.

6. No-Shows & Late Arrival by Client

If I arrive at the agreed time and:

• I cannot gain access to the property, and

• I cannot reach you using the contact details you have provided
  
  

This is treated as a same-day cancellation and the full fee (plus agreed travel cost) is due.