How to be a cleaner

[cleaningadvice]

What do I need to do to be a cleaner ? Who do I have to register with etc
Any idea of the initial costs?

We are desperate for money and I think this is my only option but need to know if it’s a feasible plan. I’d need to be self employed

I set up a cleaning business a long time ago (I'm retired now).
I told hmrc I was going self employed. I was therefore responsible for doing my own tax returns.
I insured myself in case I caused any damage.
I arranged to pay my ni contributions by direct debit.
I did quite a bit of investigation work to find out who my competition was (not much, we are very rural) and what the going rate was. I then leaflet dropped all the surrounding villages. Once I had got a few customers, I never had to advertise again as all my customers were obtained through word of mouth.
Have you got transport? I couldn't have done it without a car, especially as I provided all cleaning materials and equipment.
There are no official 'cleaning' bodies you have to register with, if that's what you're thinking, just hmrc.
It's a perfectly feasible plan, and I earnt quite well out of it. It is hard work though, and you have to account/allow for for the fact your holidays will not be paid, likewise sickness.
My set up costs were about £300, but I already had a car.
There are various guides available online and elsewhere about setting up for yourself. It's not difficult though. Good luck.

Just to add, it helps it you don't mind cleaning (you don't have to love it though!), and you may need a strong stomach at times. Some people's houses can be a bit of an eye opener.

I don’t have a car but buses are good where I live. I would probably do evenings and weekends as well as have a baby and need dh for childcare so he could drop me etc at weekends perhaps.
Ido actually love cleaning and it’s a service in demand here I’ve noticed friends always asking for recommendations

The most people who want cleaners ( I have had one for 20years) want them during the day so as not to disturb them.
Office cleaning tends to nights and weekends and is contract through the big firms.

Are you planning on cleaning private houses op? Weekends may be okay for some shift workers, but tbh I don't think people would want a cleaner round in the evenings. It is more likely offices that will need cleaning at these times. Smaller businesses will use an independent cleaner (I used to do a couple) but big businesses usually use contract cleaning companies.
Is there really nothing else in your area? I have been employed and self employed, and employed is a hell of a lot easier. Depending on how much you want to earn, you might be better off doing something else and being paid a regular wage.

I definitley wouldn't want a cleaner around in the evenings. The idea is that you come home to a clean house, not to having to tip toe around someone as I try to unwind.

I might be able to get help 2 mornings a week (need to approach my mum about that) so daytime is also a possibility

Yes it wuld be a rare person who'd want their cleaner there in the evening.

Not sure if this is a possibility for you but my mum has a friend who used to offer deep cleans while people where away on holiday - literally go through the whole house doing every last shelf and skirting board, ovens the lot. Obviously it meant she was very busy in school holidays she had a trickle of work through the year it may be worth a thought for you as you'd be able to do it in the evenings?

She also used to do pet sitting - feeding, walking etc.

Could any of that be an option for you?

I’m a cleaner. I take all my own stuff with me. So my own hoover etc. Don’t assume that they will a) let u use their stuff and b) have stuff u want to use.

Two of my customers have a terrible hoovers that don’t do a thing.

To be honest without a car I can’t see how u would be able to do this. I have also never met anyone who wanted cleaning in the evening.

How about ironing? You can have people drop it off to your house instead. A lot of people like the ability to drop off and pick up in the evenings because they can do that after work.

I don’t even iron our things as rarely ha e time so ironing not an option 🤣

I think you'd have more time to do ironing then you would cleaning. But, it's your choice!

If you go on airbnb you could target those houses in your area. I prefer cleaning holiday houses as they don’t have normal household clutter and it’s more flexible if the owner doesn’t live there themselves. I work evenings and weekends and generally whenever I want. I love cleaning and it’s the best job I ever had!

I don’t drive either and have never had any problems. I suppose it depends on where you live