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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed that she turned me down

102 replies

Ihatepeelingoranges2 · 01/02/2020 17:10

So today would have been day 1 of my cleaning business or so I thought , I put an ad up last week and got a reply from a woman. We arranged me for to come round today, when I got there I was excited to get stuck in and finally earn some money, we spoke for a bit and she asked me if I have any references, I said no. She turned me down because of this reason.

I could understand if she didn't like the way I clean, but give me a chance for goodness sake and see if you like it or not. Everyone has to start somewhere right?

Just annoyed that I wasted this day and this whole situation could have been avoided.

Rant over.

OP posts:
pinksoda35 · 01/02/2020 18:43

@Villanomme Yes I do actually have money if something like that did happen!
Cleaning pays quite well ;)
I am however thinking I should maybe get some insurance...not sure how to go about it or who to use?

FenellaMaxwell · 01/02/2020 18:46

I wouldn’t have a cleaner who didn’t come with a recommendation or reference I’m afraid - why would you allow someone into your home, often when you aren’t there, if you don’t have a single shred of proof they’re trustworthy.

Oysterbabe · 01/02/2020 18:49

It's disappointing but I can understand a bit where she's coming from. It's shit hiring and firing cleaners so you want to do all you can to find a good one. I've just got rid of ours because we agreed a price to clean the whole house and after a while she was rushing through, finishing in 2 hours instead of 4 and doing a half arsed job.
I found our new one on our local FB group. She's been doing it a long time and has a solid client base. I have high hopes.
Keep trying, you'll find someone.

GFJoe · 01/02/2020 18:54

I wouldn't employ you without references either. It's not just about how good you are at cleaning. It's about character, convictions etc. I wouldn't be handing over the keys to my house without that information.

Shadyshadow · 01/02/2020 18:59

I am however thinking I should maybe get some insurance...not sure how to go about it or who to use?

What if they accused you of something, like theft? Or damage to their house? You need insurance to pay for thing like legal fees etc.

MimiLaRue · 01/02/2020 19:07

YABVU.
References are a very basic security check that people are entitled to ask for. I wouldnt be letting a complete stranger in my house either without references. Thats exactly why sites like checkatrade etc exist!

SheChoseDown · 01/02/2020 19:08

Just give her a friend's number, reference sorted. Not honest but it must go on. How do any of us know if a reference is genuine?

NoooorthonerMum · 01/02/2020 19:11

Tricky OP. She should have asked before arranging for you to come out. Someone has probably mentioned it already but could you work for a company then go independent once you have people who know you?

SunsetBoulevard3 · 01/02/2020 19:20

Of course she's going to want references before she lets a total stranger into her house to clean, probably unsupervised much of the time!

MaderiaCycle · 01/02/2020 19:25

@WeHaveSnowdrops our cleaner definitely isn’t paid minimum wage. DBS, references even character ones are essential. I’m never home when she’s in.

oncemorewithfeeling99 · 01/02/2020 19:30

You definitely, definitely need insurance. DBS will be very useful. Most people starting a cleaning business will clean for someone they know for free or reduced price who then provides a reference. You can also get extra character references from ex-employers etc to say they would be happy for you to have access to their house, are trustworthy etc.

People are understandably cautious. If you approach it like a business, people will be reassured.

Littlemeadow123 · 01/02/2020 19:35

YABU. You need references for pretty much every job going these days. A friend/neighbour could give you a character reference.

TimeForPlentyIn2020 · 01/02/2020 19:35

I would assume she didn’t like the look of you, and used that as an excuse.

FruityWidow · 01/02/2020 19:37

You're going to need to get used to the rejection in the self employed world.

category12 · 01/02/2020 19:38

Pinksoda, please get insurance. If you accidentally cause damage, or someone fell on a floor you'd mopped or anything goes wrong at all, you could be in a mess.

user1494182820 · 01/02/2020 19:59

She is completely reasonable to expect you to have references, dbs check, insurance etc... You are unreasonable to expect to just stroll into someone's house and be given a job with nothing to support that you may be trustworthy.

SonjaMorgan · 01/02/2020 20:02

You might have to work for free a couple of times to get references and you need insurance.

Northernsoullover · 01/02/2020 20:03

I am a cleaner of 10 years. I have never had or been asked for a DBS check Hmm. I guess if a client thought I had stolen something they could report it. I do have insurance though.

pinksoda35 · 01/02/2020 20:07

@Northensoullover could you point me in the right direction to look at insurance etc???
Have you ever needed to use it?????

mnthrowaway202020 · 01/02/2020 20:07

Yeah it’s more than just your cleaning skills, it’s your trustworthiness, tardiness etc. Maybe she’s been stung by a dodgy cleaner in the past so wants to be extra careful this time around? I’m sure there’s someone who will take you on.

Oakenbeach · 01/02/2020 20:27

@pinksoda35

Google “public liability insurance” and take it from there.

TooManyPaws · 01/02/2020 20:46

Someone I know has her own cleaning business and started off with an agency. Before starting with the agency, she asked if I would give her a reference; they then rang me for it. I had no idea what her cleaning was like but was happy to tell them that I had known her since she was a teenager and I was in a position of authority, and she had always been fair, honest and hard working, even as a sometimes stroppy teen! I would be happy to have her in my house (though I'd be too embarrassed at the state of it!). The agency was very happy with the reference.

It's not about the standard of cleaning but trustworthiness to be left alone in someone's house.

Cheesespreading · 01/02/2020 21:23

I get her refusing due to lack of references etc but did she actually say you had a job that day? If she did she was rude to turn you away when you were expecting to work. When I was looking into getting a cleaner, there was always a meeting first to discuss things.

Nearlyalmost50 · 01/02/2020 22:54

I've had several cleaners over about 20 years, and never bothered asking them anything about insurance, if I slipped on their wet floor I would consider it my look out and be sad but I wouldn't be looking to sue anyone! Damage- home insurance. They are not alone with my young children so why would a DBS be relevant?

Anyone can fake a reference anyway with a Word doc and get someone they know to sign it and you have no comeback if it turns out they are untrustworthy. It is fairly meaningless.

I've usually gone on personal recommendations and word of mouth, but I would also just take someone and see for myself if I thought they were decent. I can see if they turn up on time all by myself.

I see if you are working with a large firm who absorb those costs in a higher price, then it's something you might expect as standard, but it's not something I'm looking for or would expect. I just think pieces of paper don't tell you what you need to know in these situations and they don't guarantee anything.

Thehop · 01/02/2020 23:08

@WeHaveSnowdrops I’m 40, and have a degree and have a senior position in an early years setting. I have a DBS. And I earn minimum wage.

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