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Housekeeping

Housekeeper

7 replies

halia · 13/08/2008 10:30

not sure this is the right forum topic - will crosspost in employment as well.

I am thinking ahead to when we move - I'll have to give up my current job and want something to fit round DS who will be starting school. I think with the move as well as new school he will need a bit extra support for a while, plus I'll have a house to renovate.
To go back into my career area would mean commuting and f/t out of school care for DS which I'd prefer to avoid. p/t work is likely to be harder to come by as its a small town. I would like to earn a bit of cash however.

So... I was thinking about self employed as a housekeeper - NOT a cleaner (alhtough I would do cleaning). From variuos threads on here plus my own experience of cleaners what seems to come across is that with kids you not only need someone to clean but to do things like pick up post, hang out washing, turn the oven on.

I know most people can't afford or want it f/t but maybe a few hours a week?

This is what I was thinking of - would you use it? (only very rough ideas at the moment)

Housekeeping service;

tired of spending time tidying before the cleaner arrives? need someone to feed the cat/walk the dog/water your plants? out all day and coming home to soaking wet clothes on the line? Run out of milk and nothing for tea again? guests arriving and need beds making up and rooms tidied?

I can do all this as well as light cleaning.

Flexible, local service. One offs, holiday pet/house sitting, regular weekly visits.

Charges:
Discount for regular bookings, last minute emergancy calls for existing clients.

£8/hr standard rate, 2hrs minimum first booking. Existing customers can book 30 minute slots for pet feeding etc.

Available days 9am - 3pm, some evenings /weekends by arrangement.

eCRB, references

Example list for regular visit:
wash up breakfast things
take in post and sort out junk mail
empty and reline bins
put out/bring in bins/recycling for collection
feed pets
water hanging baskets
tidy/clean kitchen
tidy living areas
Hoover living areas
once a week clean/tidy bathroom

Examples of extra services (charged at usual rate)
Take library books back
pick up milk/bread/tea
take in supermarket order and put away
Drop parcel/letters off at post office
Walk dog
take recycling to local collection point

OP posts:

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WideWebWitch · 13/08/2008 10:34

I would go for this and would pay £10 an hour (se home counties).

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iMum · 13/08/2008 10:35

Think its a great idea-would love to be able to afford it but also would be a very enjoyable job-its always quite interesting, the lives of others.

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MaloryDontDiveItsShallow · 13/08/2008 10:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

halia · 13/08/2008 10:53

cool, responses already!

I just thought that even though fairly few of us could afford a f/t housekeeper we might sqeeze Child benefit for a couple of hours a week!

I'd love to charge £10/hr but think that might be a bit much for our 'new' area. £8/hr is more than I'd be likely to get in any other p/t local job and it gives me some flexibility.

Malory unless you're in county durham not sure i can do the commute!

OP posts:

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hannahsaunt · 13/08/2008 10:55

Sounds fabulous and v reasonable rate.

In fact, sounds like a tempting career change...

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MatBackFack · 13/08/2008 10:58

I would definitely use this service and know many other parents that say they need a housekeeper but couldn't afford one full time. From my experience with cleaners the extra bits that are needed are an hour or two to do things like change the beds, put the washing on, quick hoover of the living area (i'e not full on move the furniture job) but needs a few toys picked up first, maybe put a pint of milk in the fridge. Many people I know try and shoe horn au pairs and nannies into doing this stuff and I think it normally leads to issues. Where do you live - I would definitely go for this!!