Bloody clients cancelling at the last minute!

[Delamalama]

I've been a self employed cleaner for many years and have built up a good reputation and have lots of clients but could take on more.

Just had a text off a client who I'm due to clean for this Thursday saying sorry I forgot to say I don't need you this week, great, bloody marvellous that's me £20 down. She also often just give me a weeks notice she's going on holiday and has done this before but with more notice.

I really wish people would realise if I don't work I don't earn money and I work to pay the bills. I know I should tell her but it's so awkward and puts us all in a awkward position.

If you hire a cleaner please, please think before you mess them around.
How would you feel if your boss said, have tomorrow off with no pay.

AIBU to bin her?

Was the short notice a one off? If yes, YABU. If this has happened before, I'd give her a warning and explain the next time she gives short notice then unfortunately it won't work again and she will either have to pay 50% for the inconvenience or find another cleaner.

Hmmm, I treat my cleaner (and dog walker etc) as I expect to be treated as a self employed person. So if I cancel I pay, they cancel I don't pay.

I'd change your contract to 50% fee for cancellations to hold their slot. If less than 7 days notice full fee payable.

I am not lucky enough to have a cleaner but those I know dont/can't cancel for holidays, the cleaner would get a less regular task done. Maybe ask other cleaners what their policy is.

I think you need to have a contract and get paid monthly in advance with 30 days notice for changes.

@Turt unfortunately no, thats why I'm so annoyed. It's so awkward as I like her and get on with her so it'd feel strange giving her a warning. She's been very flaky this year which doesn't help my bank balance.
@LL83 I do have few clients like that and they are lovely and thoughtful but then again I appreciate people go on holiday and don't always need or want me to go in so I save for times like that. I don't save for last minute cancellations.

We don't have a contract but I've decided any new clients I get i will tell then I require at least 7 days cancellation.

@Delamalama you have to do what's right for you and if she's regularly been like this then that's a valid reason.

Yanbu but if you haven't given a cancellation policy then you can't really say or do anything but learn from it. Cancelling 4 days in advance isn't really last minute in my opinion and she probably didn't think of the implications to you to be fair.

I'm self employed too, you need to tell her otherwise she will think she can do it whenever she wants!

"Hi sorry you need to cancel, unfortunately as this isn't the 1st time you've cancelled I'll need you to pay upfront for any future services"

Definitely get a contract. I'd expect to pay in those circumstances. Good cleaners are hard to find.

The cleaning company I use has a clause of 48 hours notice and anything less, I’m charged 50%.

I would never dream of cancelling on my cleaner at short notice and not paying her. Likewise we always give ours holiday pay - it's not her fault we're going away and don't need cleaning that week! You need to be firm - either she pays you for the late cancellation or she can look elsewhere. As others have said, good cleaners are hard to find!

Let all your clients know you need so many weeks notice OP. If she has a history of cancelling, then yes I would ditch her.

@needmoresleep1 do you have contracts? Have any ever done this to you.
That's my worry, she appears to think it's acceptable to mess me about this year. Then again I'm too soft!

I wouldn't say she has a history of cancelling she just seems to think it doesn't matter about giving me any decent notice. I do want rid to be honest I can't be doing with flaky clients!

Time to start advertising.

I have terms and conditions pinned to the top of my fb page and each new client I tell them to read it (and confirm that they've read it). If anything new that's annoying crops up then I add it on!
If you don't have a fb page then send it in a text to her and make it sound like you're sending it to everyone!

She gave you four days notice. If you haven’t stipulated that you need 7 days then she isn’t being flaky! Sort out a contract!

Are you in London? If so come and do my place on Thursday!

I'd tel her that policy is X amount of time and if that is broken then you are still to be paid

4 days is ok seems ok to me, it gives you time to resell that slot to another customer. Go on your local FB group, someone will need a cleaner at short notice, believe me.

I also think that there may be a time that you need to cancel at short notice and so you need client goodwill as much as you need their money.

I'd tel her that policy is X amount of time and if that is broken then you are still to be paid

On going that is fine but not retrospectively.

Its this Wednesday she's cancelled not Thursday (just realised) so really 1 days notice.
@NoSauce fair enough we don't have a contract but surely its basic manners not to cancel someone at such short notice with no explanation.
I guess not everyone thinks and yes I do need to set out terms to any future new clients.

Charge a cancellation fee

You need to be sensible and have a very clear cancellation policy, and you don't need to limit it to future clients. Mail the policy to all of your clients, have them sign it, and keep the form on file.

My cleaner asks for 24 hours notice. I try and be organised and give her at least 7 days if I know I need to cancel though.

I think as you have no contract and nothing in place, it leaves you open for customers to give you short notice. Sorry but you’re at fault here for not highlighting your cancellation notice.

I’ve always had to give seven days notice. You need to create a contract.

However if you’re in Surrey, I’m desperate for a cleaner....!