Am I being unreasonable increasing my cleaning rates to £17.50 an hour?

[Chattychoo]

I am a cleaner , I am half semployed half self employed. I charge £15 an hour(north west) , some I provide cleaning products some they provide.
I last increased my rates 3 years ago but now employ my daughter a few hours a week.
I have a few clients I travel to (20 mile round trip) and due to inflation, fuel and general increased prices thought it was time for a price increase.
i have googled and tried to find what the general prices people charge and I don't want to overcharge anyone.
i have sent a couple of clients that I travel to an email raising to £17.50 an hour but it's not going down well. I haven't heard off one but the other has questioned it . I stated costs have risen and did mention fuel which I probably shouldn't have.
Ive been asked to re consider as it's now coming back down but all my other costs have gone up, insurance , minimum wage even cost of washing my cloths , even my rent so now I don't know how to reply , I feel I'm overcharging and wish I'd never mentioned it!

You can increase your rates but then you have to expect that your clients may not be able to continue to employ you. I haven’t had a £2.50 ph raise in a long time. Can you afford to lose them?

If you lived near me I’d employ you as I currently pay more.

i wouldn’t engage with clients who want you to reconsider your price based on the fluctuating cost of petrol. The price is the price, I would look to fill their slot with someone more local if they don’t like it- win:win.

Only if you can’t get more work at that price then perhaps you are over priced for the area.

Ours has gone from £15 to £18 over the last three years. I think that’s fair enough given the increased cost of everything.

It's fine, but some might not wish to pay it.

Best to give a decent notice period.

Don't justify the raise in detail, just say 'business expenses have risen'.

No I can't afford to lose them and it's quite a few hours . I realise £2.50 seems a lot, with hindsight should have raised by a pound but I hate raising prices which is why I never do it! Some pay in cash so I thought it would be an easy amount instead of scrapping around for pounds.

I have been with these for 3 years and they're lovely but I now feel like if I want to keep them I can't raise my prices at all

I think your increase is very reasonable taking into account the rate of inflation and cost of living increases over the last 3 years. I say go for it and stick to your guns

We pay ours £25 per hour in the south of England if that puts it in perspective

Thanks I have given notice in a price increase email with a months notice but I now feel I should just say leave it as it is

My cleaner charges £18 in the north west and doing great business. I've referred three of my friends as she's excellent.

I've told her she should charge 20 but she doesn't believe me. But people are always looking for good cleaners.

I pay my cleaner £22 / hr and she’s not particularly brilliant. Eg wipes around stuff on the work surface rather than moving it/ cleaning under. She was !20 and she’s put up her prices. Tbh, if she was doing a brilliant job I wouldn’t mind. Most clients who can afford a cleaner can afford an extra £5/ week if you raise your prices, as long as you are worth it.

I am full (but I work for a company in the morning) . I actually have never advertised I've been employed by word of mouth and worked for the majority for years.

It sounds like a great price to me but you will always have people grumble. How often do you have to turn potential new clients away? If frequently I would put your price up and say if you no longer need me due to price rise then let me know and then go back to people you said no to and ask if they are still looking for a cleaner as you now have a space (or start advertising for new clients).

I realise £2.50 seems a lot, with hindsight should have raised by a pound

If you haven't raised your prices for a while, £2.50 isn't unreasonable. I think it's better to do a proper rise then keep it at that rate for a while than have frequent small rises.

Don't try to justify it or enter into discussion. Just politely repeat that is the rate from 1 June or whenever and can they let you know by 15 May if they no longer require your services.

You’re full and don’t need to advertise and you’ve got a whingy client who lives far away. You’ve got more power here than you realise.

Actually this.

If they are very good clients who pay on time and are good to work with, I would consider offering a £1 per hour discount as “a loyal customer”. But all new clients pay £17.50.

But if they have been tricky, late payers, awkward customers.. I would stick at £17.50

I'm not sure the petrol prices are the clients issue really - I wouldn't demand a pay rise from my employer as the cost of commuting has gone up, I would be laughed out of the room!

No don't back down immediately, your price rise is reasonable IMO.

Of course they are! The price of fuel effects all sorts of things you buy as a consumer or client.

the only mistake the OP made was openly discussing it, she is right to factor it into her budgeting.

Yes, but you are employed, the OP is self-employed.

Petrol is a business cost for self-employed people.

In these circs then you can stand your ground.

I think it’s fine and sometimes necessary. I just think lots of people are struggling to afford things now especially as minimum wage has gone up but nobody else’s wages have. When I was a journalist I started my career (after apprenticeship) at around £4ph above minimum wage. Just 4 years later, despite a raise or two I was just £2ph above minimum wage.

i have sent a couple of clients that I travel to an email raising to £17.50 an hour but it's not going down well. I haven't heard off one but the other has questioned it

Do you have only 2 clients or have you only sent 2 emails?

No increase in 3 years - I think your increase now is fine. We've had high inflation. I don't think you need to justify it. If she doesn't want to pay, let her go. You will find people who value your work.

No it's not but it is mine and you are correct I shouldn't have mentioned it . I am not very good at these things and googled what to put and just generally put due to a rise in costs including fuel(error on my part) .