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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I can print out some flyers and people might book me to clean their homes?

41 replies

user1477282676 · 10/11/2016 23:26

We need more income and FAST. I've got a small part time job but it's not enough.

I've been applying for jobs and keep getting knock backs. To illustrate a little, I'm English and living with DH in Oz and my citizenship isn't final yet so I think that although I have the right to work here due to the type of visa I'm on, employers are naturally wary of taking me on.

So I was thinking of making up some flyers and blitzing them around our small town. It's a high income area, lots and lots of people with plenty of money and not a lot of time.

I will need to get some liability insurance and a police check I thought...but while I wait for them, do you think people might book me? I can offer references from within Oz so it's not like they'd be letting a totally unchecked person into their home.

I'm just getting to the point where I can't think of anything else. I'm a very good cleaner too!

OP posts:
Original poster
user1477282676 · 10/11/2016 23:27

Oh...and I've checked out the competition and there don't seem to be any independent cleaners here at all. There's one agency in another state which does cover this area....I'd probably be cheaper than them.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 10/11/2016 23:29

I am looking for a new cleaner after moving. If your leaflets looked professional I'd give you a ring. Just check all the spelling, check it again and check it again! I've seen some howlers on other leaflets. One also forgot to include any contact details. Don't do that. Grin

Good luck to you.

dailymaillazyjournos · 10/11/2016 23:29

Don't see what's to lose here. Good cleaners are always needed and you have references which is great. Make your flyer stand out and hope for the best. Good luck.

Original poster
user1477282676 · 10/11/2016 23:36

Thank you both. Purple can I ask what payment arrangement you had with your last cleaner? Did you pay her into the bank by transfer or cash? I'm not sure which people would prefer...it won't make much difference to me as long as they pay!

I'm listed in Oz as self employed so will be declaring everything for tax purposes.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 10/11/2016 23:39

I set up a direct debit so I didn't have to worry about cash. I'm a self employed private tutor and some people like to pay cash every week and others prefer bank transfers. I keep a spreadsheet to make sure I don't miss people who haven't paid and I can declare the right amount to HMRC.

Original poster
user1477282676 · 10/11/2016 23:40

Thanks Purple. Well...I'd better get on with it then! My police check might take ten days...should I just get the flyers out and if people ask to see a copy, tell them it's on the way? Or should I wait? They will have my references to go by.

OP posts:
MrsderPunkt · 10/11/2016 23:41

A one off deep clean pre-Christmas would be appreciated here.

antimatter · 10/11/2016 23:42

I wouldn't wait. People may not be able to interview you straight away anyway.
Good luck!

Original poster
user1477282676 · 10/11/2016 23:43

Mrsder that's a thought...I didn't think of that. I could offer a special couldn't I?

OP posts:
JenLindleyShitMom · 10/11/2016 23:44

I wouldn't bother with flyers tbh. Expense, time and effort you don't need to spend.

Go on Facebook, join as many local selling pages as you can and post an ad offering your services. Post it on your personal page as well, make the post public and ask all your friends to share it. People bin flyers, lose them, let the DCs draw on them. But their phones are always in their hand and they can screen shot a FB post for future reference. Keep posting the ads once a week until you have as many clients as you need. All free, all minimal effort. It worked very well for me when I was cleaning. I didn't spend a penny on advertising and I had my first job 3 hours after I had posted the ad.

Good luck OP.

QuodPeriitPeriit · 10/11/2016 23:44

I'm in Australia - people I know are often looking for good cleaners, so definitely worth a try. Good luck!

JellyBelli · 10/11/2016 23:57

Can you get a police background check and insurance in Oz? I did that, and I got a few clients, then a lot more by word of mouth Smile

Original poster
user1477282676 · 11/11/2016 00:00

Jen I was planning on that too...the main issue with social media here is that it's FAR less active than the UK. Local selling pages have very little activity on them. Also, many of the people in this area are getting on a bit and so they're not really active social media users.

I will be creating a FB profile though. Flyers, in this case will be a good first point of contact.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1477282676 · 11/11/2016 00:01

Jelli well I've only been here for a year...so I felt that a UK check might be better for the clients as an Oz one will only cover the past 12 months.

OP posts:
JenLindleyShitMom · 11/11/2016 00:02

Ahh ok, in that case flyers sound like a good idea! Best of luck.

QuodPeriitPeriit · 11/11/2016 00:27

Flyers then word of mouth definitely your best bet in Oz - it wouldn't occur to me or anyone I know to look for a cleaner on FB. I found one through word of mouth and most friends the same. No one's cleaner has a vacant slot for long around here!

Original poster
user1477282676 · 11/11/2016 00:45

Quod do you mind me asking what state you're in?

OP posts:
QuodPeriitPeriit · 11/11/2016 01:15

Tasmania User

Original poster
user1477282676 · 11/11/2016 01:19

Ah! Thanks...I'm a long way away in SA.

I wonder if people would mind advising me...does the following list seem reasonable for a 2 hour clean?

• Hoovering throughout one floor
• Sweeping & mopping of hard floors
• Dusting
• Mirrors
• Kitchen clean including cupboard fronts, counters, stovetop
• General dusting plus dusting of ceiling fans, pictures and skirting boards
• Bathroom clean including shower, bath, tiles and glass
• Toilet clean

It seems a lot to me but I'm quite fast...

OP posts:
martinisandcake · 11/11/2016 01:21

Hi Op,
Where in oz are you?

I live in Sydney and social media local pages would be my first port of call as they are so very active. Maybe put flyers up in local cafes and stores? We have a notice board in my local Coles.

Good cleaners seem pretty hard to come by and the rate of pay is usually $25ph.

We also have some small agencies which may be another way to such as tidyme or even air Tasker which may be worth a look.

QuodPeriitPeriit · 11/11/2016 01:28

I wouldn't expect you to do skirting boards and ceiling fans every time, otherwise sounds about right. Mine does 3 hours a week - biggish house though.

Original poster
user1477282676 · 11/11/2016 01:29

Martini I'm in S.A. Our local selling pages are like a graveyard and I've been through them all!

I don't want to join an agency at all. Quod that's my worry....some of the houses here are big but tend to be single storey....

OP posts:
Original poster
user1477282676 · 11/11/2016 05:21

Well I've put a flyer together....I'm just wondering, since this is a rather hippish town, should I offer the option of having your cleaning done using all natural cleaners?

I can and do make my own. Would some people like this do you think?

OP posts:
EveOnline2016 · 11/11/2016 05:30

Good luck on your new venture.

People are very fussy when it comes to cleaning products, so make people aware they supply the materials.

For example I have different coloured cloths. I tend to use red for my bathroom blue for my kitchen the any other colour for the other rooms.

BratFarrarsPony · 11/11/2016 05:34

I think the natural cleaners thing is brilliant...
'cleaning just like our granmothers did..; something like that.
Lemon juice, vinegar etc
DO kids in Aus have allergies and asthma like British kids?
if so , no bleach etc could be a really good selling point