Self employed workers

[Lou22000]

Hi all, as you no times are getting out of control now with the rise in inflation, cost of living and so on.
So I work for myself as a cleaner and have many clients. I currently charge £15ph and thinking of putting my prices up. I was thinking a £2 rise. Would this be a reasonable rise? I don't want to loose my clients but feel I need to do something. I work in high class areas.

Our window cleansers and dog walkers have recently put their prices up by similar amounts, it was not unexpected and I didnt consider it unreasonable.

Times are hard. I have a cleaner who is amazing, but if the price rose too much, or felt cheeky, I'd probably bin them.
I think 10% pay rise acceptable. It would also depend on when you last raised your price previously, and whether you bring and pay for your own products.

I put my prices up early last year a extra £2ph
And I don't use my own products I use there's.

Tricky one (ex cleaner myself). Prices have gone up, but if clients are looking to make cutbacks cleaners will be among the first to go.

That said, good cleaners are like gold dust, so if they're looking to replace you with someone on the cheap then they'll likely be disappointed. Dont be surprised if some reduce your hours.

It's hard like how do you no what is a reasonable rise to give yourself.

I’m on £18ph in all my ‘homes’, but I use my own products & travel quite far as I had to relocate quite some distance. They all offered to increase despite increasing my pay voluntarily in January 2021. It’s strange because by HMRC definition as self-employed we’re supposed to set the price and invoice.

By what %age has fuel increased since you last increased your prices? What are the chances they have had their salary increased or even decreased? Do you have that kind of relationship? I only ask as I’ve been with mine for an awfully long time and we have a really good friendship. Have you been able to notice if they have started food shopping in cheaper places? This should assist you in your decision making hopefully.

A lot of my clients run there own Business. I wouldn't say we have a friendship but always chatting when I do see them. One client did tell me I should put my prices up soon to. Just trying to work out what the right increase would be.