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Yard Watering Pay
updated: Sep 02, 2012, 2:21 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

What's a fair price to pay per day to a 12 year old who waters potted plants on the patio & other plants in the yard while we're on vacation? We were thinking between $5 - 7 per day considering he will walk only four minutes to our house.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 315274	2012-09-02 02:24 PM
$10/hr. plus a gift card to a local healthy food merchant like Trader Joes or Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch.
COMMENT 315277	2012-09-02 02:29 PM
That's awfully generous. Is that $5-7 per day that you are on vacation or days that he will go over and water? $50 for a single visit to water is probably too much.
COMMENT 315279	2012-09-02 02:31 PM
Squirt gun, bag of plastic army men, magnifying glass and if he's really good, a Slip-N-Slide.
COMMENT 315284	2012-09-02 02:45 PM
Talk with his parents about what might be too much money for him to have in his control and that should help. How much labor is involved - manning and putting away a hose vs. filling a can etc? in regards the the comment about $10/hour - that seems fair, how much time do you think he will spend watering, then add 8-10 minutes for transportation and if he does a really good job a gift card or toy would be a nice tip. 20-25 minutes watering plus transportation would be the $5-7 you have in mind.
COMMENT 315285P	2012-09-02 02:45 PM
$5.00 an hour is plenty. An additional, small _bonus_ gift card to Trader Joe's might be fine, but I'd get one for the Chicken Ranch only if all your plants die or something and you're looking to send a message.
COMMENT 315287	2012-09-02 02:53 PM
I have a lot of potted and in-ground plants. My questions are simple: how long will it take him to water your plants? And is he going to water every day? Are you taking into consideration the hot weather? Does he know to water deeply enough for the in-ground plants and not too much on the potted plants? Do you have fruit trees, too? If this kid is spending 8 minutes (walking over and back) and up to 45 minutes to an hour watering---you should pay him AT LEAST the $7 per hour/visit. (Forget the gift cards.) I have adult friends I wouldn't trust to water my plants---not unless we went over in detail how much water per plant. I hope you paid this kid for his time when you showed him how to do it. No sense being cheap. That is, if you love your plants, and want them healthy and happy when you get back home.
SHOREBIRD	2012-09-02 02:53 PM
I pay my grandsons $10 a day to kitty feed, mail retrieval and watering a few plants. I take into consideration than one must pay for gas for his truck and the other must ride his bike the two miles. Door to door it's probably $10/ hour.
COMMENT 315289	2012-09-02 02:53 PM
Minimum skills = minimum wage. Be sure to get his SS number and pay the proper domestic worker taxes and Medicare deductions. Otherwise, if you are paying him under the table, deduct those taxes from your hourly rate for what you think this level of skill, considering his age and experience, should require in the open market.
SHOREBIRD	2012-09-02 02:56 PM
A 12 year old is not going to be interested in Trader Joes gift card. Make it Blenders in the Grass.
COMMENT 315294	2012-09-02 03:02 PM
$10 per day and that kids will flip with joy! $10 per hour? I want that job!
COMMENT 315309	2012-09-02 03:36 PM
@315289. There are no taxes due if the employee receives less than $1800 for the year, on $1000 in any quarter. This would not seem to be an issue in this case.
COMMENT 315310	2012-09-02 03:37 PM
I agree with shorebird. Blenders in the Grass is far more appropriate in terms of a gift card. As for payment, 10$. You're taking away their free time.
COMMENT 315313	2012-09-02 03:50 PM
I would be very hesitant to pay an "hourly" wage. I would determine ahead of time what amount of time it should take. Not too difficult to do based on the training I am sure you gave him and how much time it takes you to water daily. If it's a small job and takes under an hour maybe $7.00 per day, a bit longer $10.00 per day and let him know if all the plants look healthy and happy when you return there will be a little bonus pay of whatever it's worth to you. I think that would be fair. How long are you going to be gone? Most 12 yr olds would be delighted to receive $70.00-$100.00 for an easy job like watering plants, now if he was taking care of animals too that would be a different story and more money for sure.
COMMENT 315319	2012-09-02 04:04 PM
I guess the question is, how much do your plants mater to you? If you really love your plants, pay more to the caregiver.
COMMENT 315320	2012-09-02 04:04 PM
When I was a kid a neighbor of mine paid me daily while she was away too. fed her fish and watered her plants. she gave me 10 bucks a day. thats fair. just make it a nice even number, none of this 5-7 buck a day stuff. and this neighbor let other neighbors know how well I did and before I knew it, i had a steady flow of a few bucks here and there during summertime! i loved it.
COMMENT 315322	2012-09-02 04:10 PM
Turn him on to a bud after you harvest.
COMMENT 315325	2012-09-02 04:23 PM
Don't make it into a big deal, pay the kid 10 bucks an hour unless he/she is clueless. More important, teach them how to water your plants, exactly. Give them the results you want and the time frame, exactly. Then, go on vacation! Have a good time! You'll have done what you can to set it up with good infomation and good intentions. When you return, you'll know a lot more and you can tell us about it!
COMMENT 315330	2012-09-02 04:32 PM
How many days are you gone? I would give him say $50 for a week and a GC to the new Chick Fil A!
MTNDRIVER	2012-09-02 05:11 PM
Depends on how long it takes him to water. If he finishes the whole job in a half hour, 5-7 bucks seems fine. But if it takes him an hour, I'd give him $10. And like 325 says, make sure he knows exactly what you want from him. People who aren't familiar with plant needs often just get the soil surface wet and think they're done. Make a written list, and demonstrate how you want the plants watered.
COMMENT 315340	2012-09-02 05:18 PM
Even minors can demand minimum wage ($8.00/wage), but "learners" can be paid 85% of minimum wage. But not a penny less. Hire the kid for less than minimum wage and he can file a labor action against you. Do you ever wonder why the American economy has gotten bogged down and personal initiative and job creation is getting buried under all these labor protection regulations? Even this kid can sue you. At least, if you pay him less than $1800 a year and he is not in the plant watering business full time and he will be doing strictly domestic chores, you don't have to pay his SS and Medicare. Thank you Nanny-State America - what decades of progressive government has dropped on all our laps. Good as time as any this kid learns what he will be inheriting in our "Nation of Laws".
COMMENT 315343	2012-09-02 05:27 PM
I have a 12 year old son, I would say $5 a day is perfect. These people are off their rockers lol
COMMENT 315348	2012-09-02 05:44 PM
Forget the hourly wage. Set the expectations on how often you expect the plants to be watered, then offer a flat fee for the duration of your trip. The kid will probably be stoked to earn $40 for something so mindless as watering for a couple of weeks. Tip the parents the TJs card as they'll be the ones reminding him to do his job.
COMMENT 315351	2012-09-02 06:04 PM
give him his first playboy
COMMENT 315353	2012-09-02 06:07 PM
Okay, seriously, people - how many of you are out of touch with reality? I have a 14 yr. old who went to neighbors house every day for a week to pick up mail, newspaper, feed fish, etc. and he gets $20-$25 for the week, which is very fair. Unless of course you live in Montecito and can afford to pay a kid ridiculous amounts in proportion to their age, experience, and what they are doing.
COMMENT 315367	2012-09-02 07:03 PM
Sorry, This child is 12!! $5.00 a day should be fine. This is why so many kids out there WONT WORK. They are expecting to be paid what the top person is paid. Kids now a days think they can just move into the top pay with out working their way up.
COMMENT 315372	2012-09-02 07:17 PM
The kid can sue you if you don't pay him minimum wage $8/hour. It's the law. You elected those who wrote it this way. Remember this come November when you think about who you are going to send back to Washington. A labor-rights lover or an entrepreneur. This is where this choice counts - do you agree with the labor laws you let get passed or not?
COMMENT 315374	2012-09-02 07:32 PM
$5 per day of watering.
COMMENT 315376P	2012-09-02 07:40 PM
DRIP IRRIGATION
COMMENT 315381	2012-09-02 08:04 PM
My 18 year old feeds our neighbors cat when they go on vacation, and waters the yard....and does not get paid. She does it because that is what neighbors do. If she has a time conflict, then I do it. 10 an hour for water plants is crazy, just offer the 12 year old 20 bucks to do it while you are gone. The kid isnt paying taxes, or doing anything that is rocket science. It isnt even worth minimum wage...cmon, no wonder people feel so entitled to high wages for doing almost nothing. geez!
COMMENT 315384P	2012-09-02 08:14 PM
how about taking him & say 5 pals out for pizza party, his place of choice, when you get back? Forget the $$ thing. Kids should learn to do things because its the neighborly thing to do. It would be different if you were hiring him for a permanent weekly job like lawn mowing.
COMMENT 315392	2012-09-02 08:32 PM
Do 12 year olds have to pay income tax? You have to be at least 15 to get a work permit. I had a paper route when I was 12 and never payed taxes. Minimum wage sounds fair to me.
FIRST DISTRICT	2012-09-02 08:34 PM
I would have to know a lot more about this situation before weighing in. Just remember: It takes a village to raise up a child. We had lovely neighbors who totally over paid one of our young guys when they needed just a few things done when they were away. These people were kind and thoughtful to my family on many, many levels over the years. They set an example for us all. The most important aspect is to treat the neighborhood kids well. They will notice and pass those special attributes on as they travel life's road. The monetary aspect is only part of the story. . .
COMMENT 315398	2012-09-02 08:55 PM
Watering plants is not a small task. It can be more of a learning process than walking a dog and picking up poop, or putting out food for a cat, and then cleaning the litter box. If you value your plants, $7.00 per visit is perfect--- if the job takes less than an hour. The 12-year-old is being groomed to be responsible and careful with the possessions of others. Be sure and write up a list of "to-dos" and there will be no misunderstanding of what is expected. People are now charging $75 to $100 per day to stay in a home (overnight). They care for pets and plants, provide security (someone there, no empty house). The payment should be equitable with the service you expect. Shortchange this kid and who knows what you will get. Pay him/her well, and you will be much more likely to get satisfactory results.
COMMENT 315412P	2012-09-02 09:35 PM
Sure, payment is good. $10 per hour is outrageous. I'm looking to work for a few bucks more than that. Gotta agree with the latter posters.
COMMENT 315413P	2012-09-02 09:38 PM
Addendum: It's easy to pay so much when it's a one-time thing. Would you do this for 3 or 6 or 12 months? I think it's setting up some high expectations of pay.
COMMENT 315418P	2012-09-02 10:33 PM
My 12 year old child took care of the neighbors plants and fish for 2-1/2 weeks this summer, and was offered a $40 flat fee. She was very excited to earn this money. It is a lot for someone this age (at least in our circles.) The watering was not extensive, so maybe a 15-30 minute visit depending on the day. Maybe a bonus if you come back and the plants are all thriving (meaning the kid did a really good job.)
COMMENT 315421P	2012-09-02 11:26 PM
315372 - NONSENSE.
COMMENT 315424	2012-09-03 06:04 AM
My 14 year old and 18 year old just watered the lawn & plants and feed the neighbors dog for 4 days. She gave them each $20 which I thought was totally fair. I think giving a gift card is not needed at all, too much. Pay per day, 5-10 bucks at that is plenty.
COMMENT 315428	2012-09-03 06:21 AM
@418P Let's see . . .$40 divided by 17 = $2.35. Your 12-year-old was paid $2.35 per visit by your neighbors? Don't fish need to be fed twice per day? AND the plants got watered? Wait, wait, wait. That means she was paid $1.18 EACH TRIP ! Who are these munificent people, that they can throw around money like that? Your daughter was "excited to earn this money?" What is her weekly allowance----25 cents?
COMMENT 315447	2012-09-03 08:13 AM
I don't care if you have 100 plants...the task couldn't possibly take more than 15 minutes to complete. I'd say $5 per day and a $10 bonus if all the plants are alive when you get home.
COMMENT 315450	2012-09-03 08:23 AM
What do kids spend their money on today. Appreciating assets or depreciating assets?
COMMENT 315460	2012-09-03 08:57 AM
Just figure the cost of replacing all the plants, divide by the number of days you'll be gone. Seriously, the idea of a pizza feast for the boy and his friends is the best suggestion. At his age, I did gardening in Hope Ranch for 50 cents an hour, every weekend, and after two years, had enough to buy an 18 foot sailboat!!!!
COMMENT 315462	2012-09-03 09:00 AM
Depends on how long it takes to do the job. $5 per hour is a lot for a 12 year old and & $10 per hour is too much. A gift card bonus if they do an excellent job is nice. I agree with other posters that over paying gives the wrong message. Lots of young college grads are having a hard time finding work for more than $12 per hour!
COMMENT 315467	2012-09-03 09:09 AM
This is a kid, still at age 12. Think people, this is a child. Give him/her the money, ask the parents the appropriate amount and give the gift card to the parents, if you want to overdo the compensation. A piece of plastic for a kid? Let's not get them started too early, please.
FLICKA	2012-09-03 09:32 AM
What are teenage babysitters getting these days? I've heard $10.00 and hour and up for more than 1 kid. More work, yes, but this kid's work is valuable too. Maybe ask his parents.
COMMENT 315484	2012-09-03 10:15 AM
If trying to teach the child about how it works to earn money for doing a job, forget the gift cards. Would you like to be partially paid in gift cards (for something YOU may not value) at your work? Just sayin.
COMMENT 315498	2012-09-03 10:43 AM
I started working a "real" job paying taxes when I was 14 but had many odd jobs before then. Watering plants or babysitting or mowing lawns, I looked forward to payment! Hourly payment just seems silly, he will work hourly for most of his/her life. If he does a good job, give him $50 when u get home. $50 will say that you appreciate their time and allow them to buy a thing or two or whatever.
COMMENT 315504	2012-09-03 11:06 AM
Oh Goodness. I hope that you people analyze the candidates this much this fall. @343 and @367=a nod to common sense. Pizza party. Maybe the $$ for said pizza party but they probably don't want to hang with you if you are over 25. Good luck.
COMMENT 315526	2012-09-03 11:23 AM
No one seems to get the point here. This is not negotiable. You keep electing legislators who have federally mandated $8/hour minimum wage, regardless of age with rights to sue you if you don't pay this amount. Of course the fact this very legislator (Lois Capps) was running an off-the-books room rental herself, does not excuse you from voting for federal minimum wage legislation even though now everyone here seems very happy to willingly violate it. It's the law. Pay the kid $8/hour as federally required, or get Lois to change the law.
COMMENT 315547	2012-09-03 11:51 AM
Remember, the cute 12 year old you pay to water your plants and feed your pets, in a few years will be a creepy 16 year old climbing through your bedroom window when you're on vacation and stealing your jewelry.
COMMENT 315550P	2012-09-03 11:55 AM
526: The point that's not being missed is that you're hijacking this thread to make a fairly moronic political point.
COMMENT 315554	2012-09-03 12:01 PM
You gotta be kiddin' You need to ask?
COMMENT 315586	2012-09-03 02:07 PM
@315340 I know why and it has nothing to do with the ideology you're spouting. @315372 Yes, I do believe in civilization rather than in the hellhole that existed before labor laws. It's good of you to remind people that some candidates would move us back in that direction.
ACF	2012-09-03 02:13 PM
Minimum wage only applies to interstate commerce. Know your facts before you pontificate.
CORKY	2012-09-03 04:02 PM
Oh, for goodness sakes. Can we leave politics out of it? No one is going to get fined for not paying minimum wage.
COMMENT 315678	2012-09-03 04:28 PM
Minimum wage is for tax paying employees, not underage kids that are doing a simple task. $5 a day is a lot of money when you're 12 and will teach him responsibility. More than that is not necessary, really! People here who are talking $10 an hour are nuts!
COMMENT 315716	2012-09-03 05:56 PM
Wrong. Look it up. All labor has a right to minimum wage, even minors. Paying taxes is not part of the requirement. Only those classified as "learners" get a break - and only 85% of minimum wage. You voted for the people who put in these rules and the consequences you face if you break them. Pay the kid $8 an hour. It's the law. Unless you can claim he is only worth 85% of minimum wage. And he doesn't sue you for trying to knick him.
COMMENT 315783	2012-09-03 08:47 PM
Ignore the bossy poster, offer him an internship and pay him a flat fee at the end.
COMMENT 315889	2012-09-04 09:36 AM
Stop voting for union-backed legislators who created this oppressive nanny-state where you cannot even hire a neighborhood kid to do some chores without labor regulations telling you what to do and what will happen if you do not. Ask Lois Capps what you need to pay this kid and she will tell you proudly: $8/hour, because the unions don't want any scabs taking away their work.
COMMENT 315909	2012-09-04 10:32 AM
Sadly the posters who recognize what our legal system has done to this scenario are correct. Not only should you pay minimum wage to be safe, you need to establish a time in and out system either a time clock or a sign in and sign out. Otherwise (and I am not making this up) you could find yourself before the Department of Industrial Relations facing claims you did not pay minimum wage and the hours you paid for were not those worked. In addition you need to be sure your homeowner insurance covers injuries to workers while at your home working and lay down strict rules (signed by the parents) about who can come onto the property while this child is there and what activities are permitted. As a lawyer, I welcome you to the 21st century. No more lemonade stands, babysitters or kids who will mow your lawn for a couple of bucks!
COMMENT 315919P	2012-09-04 11:01 AM
509: Absolute bull and I'm sure you know it, but that knowledge gets in the way of the hackneyed political points you're trying to raise. Maybe we can get some 12-year-olds to start an Ayn Rand book club and make sure they serve plenty of tea with the claptrap. Would that be okay?

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