Please help me respond to this cleaning client!!

[cleaningdilemma11]

I’ve just started my cleaning business, going to see my first client on Sunday. I normally charge £15 an hour, but because she’s my first client I have agreed to do it for £10 an hour for 4 hours, and then it will be £15 an hour. She didn’t even ask, I suggested it in return for a review/reference. She wants a regular 4 hours clean every week so I was ok with it doing it for £10 for a first clean.

Now client 2 has just texted me asking if I can come for a “trial “. She asked how much I charge, and I said £15 an hour but will do it for £10 in exchange for review/reference, she then said that’s out of her budget but if I’m willing to do it for £10 an hour for her she will recommend me to her sister who also needs a cleaner?

She lives 45 mins from me, I don’t drive but we both live in London. So I don’t know what to do, do I say yes and take what I can until I get enough customers to be picky or do I just stick with my price and tell her to fuck off?

I give discounts hoping I can get reviews on my Facebook page and build up enough credibility to get more customers, I don’t know if that’s right though? Can anyone help me?

Guess who just got a new client? and he lives in the same area as me. 5 mins away.

How will you get everything you need to clean the houses?
Hoover, mop and bucket, cleaning products etc?

I think if the clients are providing all materials, then £15 is to much....

Great stuff.
Just be careful advertising on gumtree.
There are usually reputable sites for advertising I'd be wary but then I watch lots of crime stories..

@cleaningdilemma11 Did they still pay you?

In my own home (and I do this every day) I clean sink, bath and taps etc with a non-scratch sponge (the sort you get in packs of 6) sprayed with bathroom cleaner after wetting it first. Then rinse with plain water and dry off with small square such as old dry flannel then microfibre or J cloth.
Believe me, I'm fussy even in my own home and clean to the 'white glove' standard.
Remember to clean door lintels (top bar of door frame, not the actual door) and skirting boards as you do each room and vacuum under beds and under sofa cushions with the crevice tool.

I wouldn't do it. Be firm with your prices and the areas you cover from the start. Advertise on local Facebook groups. Good luck

@Diverseopinions
If there are children in the home when you are working there, an EDBC can be asked for by some clients and basic DBC is always a plus so that clients have at least some assurance of your trustworthiness and honesty.

Even if the client is in the home, she is not behind you all the time or even in the same room. Who's to know what a cleaner could nick besides, some clients may be out some of the time and it's as well to have one for those who ask.

One of the many things I learned after being a cleaner was to choose an area and keep the clients that live in a small radius of that area for one chosen day of the week, and another area for another day. That way you aren't all over the place all the time.

I also learned to look out for the signs of a nightmare client. And dump them off pretty quickly, the lady you cleaned for today sounded a bit of a nightmare.

I also used local community groups on Facebook to get customers rather than Gumtree.

And yes to cleaning tips from YouTube.

In no way drop your price. It will just go on and on as they will tell their friends etc. £15 in London isn’t expensive as I pay £10 in a much cheaper area. Stick to your guns. A good cleaner is worth every penny. People will always try to take advantage.

Can you post a link to your gumtree? I’m in London and am looking for a new cleaner desperately. I’m an easy client too.

I wouldn't get a cleaner based on facebook. Every cleaner I've used is from a personal recommendation, and I've never been offered a 'trail deal'.
Stick to your price. If you want say you will give a 10% discount first day only (better than the third off you are considering!). But don't base it on a good review or recommendation. If you are good they will have you back at your normal price point and word will get around.

@Livedandlearned can you show me an example of these local fb groups? Can’t for the life of me figure out what these are. I’ve never seen one.

@RainbowRaine yes they did, £40 for 4 hours which felt like 400 hours. I was so tired, hot and thirsty. But I knew it would be hard, so gotta stick with it.

@modernmystery where in London are you? I can PM you.

Stick with £15 if you're good you will get new clients and be able to charge this.

South east London. Yes please!

say 'really sorry I can't travel that far right now'

Stick to 15 £ per hour as that is reasonable and what the going rate is where I live and it is in the outskirts of London in the 'burbs.

Is it generally better to spray the cleaner on the damp cloth, or just to spray it all over the sink/ work top, etc?

@modernmystery just sent you a PM.

@modernmystery we have loads locally

I pay my very reliable and obliging cleaner £11 p/h because that is what she charges all of her customers. I do give her a good Xmas bonus and birthday gift. I have given her a reference and recommended her too. I am in West Midlands and have her 4 hours each week and occasionally more. She sews on child's tags into school clothing too.

Wet dry buff thats my mantra!
Clean glass with a wet cloth just water no product and use a piece of towel to dry it thenNother piece of towel to buff it up.
Same for stainless steel radiators.
Use a product for sinks etc but still wet dry buff.
Also the best stuff for stainless steel is Cif cream . Clean using that then rinse it off with a wet cloth then dry then buff.
Good luck with your business do your best and be honest. Use lots of microfibre cloths and old towels cut up are best for drying and buffing i put used cloths in a pillowcase then they can be tipped into the washer with the pillow case. Saves using lots of plastic bags.x

@Luddite26 thank you so much ❤️