Starting a cleaning business

[WannabeCleaner15]

Hello all, I would love some advice from others in this field.

I have a one year old, and did not return to work after maternity leave. I’m now thinking a job would be ideal to help give me back a bit of identity and feeling of usefulness (and a break from toddler tantrums!). My work history is mainly care related although I did retail and some office cleaning in uni days.

I’ve applied to some retail positions, which are evening hours which would mean we shouldn’t need to pay for childcare, but if that doesn’t work out I thought I could look to do some self employed work cleaning.

I don’t want to go into this naively, but I am a bit clueless. I’d be happy to find childcare for 1 or 2 days during the week to allow me to do this, and I see this as a great opportunity to set my own hours and work around our family needs.

I have a few questions about how this would work.
How much do you pay a cleaner in your area? (I am central Scotland, so I understand this will vary in different regions). Does this include cleaning products? Do they use your own equipment e.g vacuum, mop, or do they supply their own?
Would you expect your cleaner to change bedding?
If you have a single cleaner (as opposed to a team) how long do they take to clean different property sizes?

I feel a bit cheeky phoning up other cleaning companies to see how they compare so I’m hoping you don’t mind me being cheeky and asking you all.

Thanks.

[WannabeCleaner15]

Anyone?

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I have a cleaner, love her so much, she’s been helping me out for 20 years.

I supply cleaning products, equipment. She lets me know when she needs something.

She changes the bedding. She does all the ironing.

She’s here for 4 and a half hours one afternoon a week, we have a five double bedroom house.

Hope that helps!

[Myusername2015]

£12.50 an hour here in midlands. 3 bed house normally takes 2.5 hours but she does longer once a month on windows etc. We supply all cleaning products. Best of luck with your new venture

[WannabeCleaner15]

Thank you for sharing @throughthickandthin01 could I be cheeky and ask how much you pay? It sounds like she does a great job and in such a short time!
Does she change the bedding every week? Does she iron the bedding? That along would take me a great deal of time

[WannabeCleaner15]

Thank you Myusername2015. Does your cleaner change bedding or do any ironing in her time?

[isitfridayyet1]

We have a cleaner doesn't change any bedding unless requested, uses our products and cleaning equipment and charges £10 per hour for 2 cleaners so that's £20 in total for an hour.