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?

45mins journey is too long for 10/hr. I would suggest sticking to the price.

So client 2 has just texted me back asking if I can come today for a 1 hour trial? . I've texted her back saying she needs to book 2 hours minimum, trial or not 🙄. Wow .

@CharlieBoo Jesus you're a saint. I would clean that in a hazmat suit, it is a very worthy job for the person when it is complete.
I watched deep cleaners in the UK it is very sad how people allow the place get in such a state and others can't help it through disability.

what a vile person you sound swearing like that. Glad your not my cleaner!

See, client 2 has already got the idea you're a pushover. Asking anyone to come the same day for a non-emergency issue is pushing it. Lesson is to think about your limits and standards for all future clients.

@dottypotter
Oh darling I know it's simply impossible to find quality staff these days

@dottypotter, or alternatively a fine person who is under stress and driven to the brink by selfish entitled people? Possibly?

She's just texted me back this after I said she has to book 2 hours minimum.

"I’ve had many cleaners all which don’t match my cleaning requirement and therefore unfortunately I can’t pay for two hours yet until I see the trial run".

Where in the world is she going to get a cleaner to come down for a 1 hour trial? I'm confused, didn't know such thing existed. Never heard anyone do that

Just write back saying feel free to send me a detailed list of your requirements when you book your slot

I'd say as a new cleaner you need to be a bit cheaper. I used to clean and I did it for years with a good reputation. Some of my regulars weren't too happy when I put it up to £12 from £10.
And I'd say no to this lady, I wouldn't tell her to fuck off though, not good business

@cleaningdilemma11

She's just texted me back this after I said she has to book 2 hours minimum.

"I’ve had many cleaners all which don’t match my cleaning requirement and therefore unfortunately I can’t pay for two hours yet until I see the trial run".

Where in the world is she going to get a cleaner to come down for a 1 hour trial? I'm confused, didn't know such thing existed. Never heard anyone do that

Do not clean for her!! She is taking the piss and after a few clean. As soon as you've done she'll find something wrong and not pay you, I'd put money on it. Run away!

a free I won't do hourly jobs, not worth it.

I’d swerve her. She just sounds like a nightmare, she’d be picking over your work and finding reasons not to pay.
Just hold on for some better customers.

@cleaningdilemma11

She's just texted me back this after I said she has to book 2 hours minimum.

"I’ve had many cleaners all which don’t match my cleaning requirement and therefore unfortunately I can’t pay for two hours yet until I see the trial run".

Where in the world is she going to get a cleaner to come down for a 1 hour trial? I'm confused, didn't know such thing existed. Never heard anyone do that

Sounds completely reasonable to me.

And you sound really disorganised & unsure of how you'll actually run your business.

I genuinely don't like the tone of the posts referring to your potential clients. They're asking for what they want; sure, say no if you what but no eye rolling / exasperated face needed.

@EarringsandLipstick.
Have you done many free trials, before being offered employment.
Have you tried that tactic with electricians, plumbers ? Or Is it only those lower down the pay scale that have to offer their services for free.

Op, she’s cheap. I’m self employed, not In your line of work, but same principle applies. Do not work for cheap people. Value yourself.

@gingerwhinger0

Apologies if I missed this but in relation to your comment:

Have you done many free trials, before being offered employment.

Where did OP say she was being asked to do a free trial? I read it that the potential client asked her to come for 1 hour (for which she'd pay her)?

If she was asked to do an hour for free, that's not ok but I didn't read it like that.

@gingerwhinger0

And re the question 'have I tried that approach', me personally, absolutely not. I've never had a cleaner. If I had, I'd pay for their time, obviously; like I would for anyone.

I didn't read it that she wanted OP to work for free though.

Havent Rttt but wow, there are alot of posters getting worked up about a cleaner daring to charge £15 an hour!

I'd say try £15 an hour, if you're reliable and thorough then you will get loyal customers. If you find you arent getting any, then try the lower rate...

"I’ve had many cleaners all which don’t match my cleaning requirement

You'll be another of these. That does sound to me like someone who'll never be a happy customer. Not what you're looking for.

The client is asking her to work for 1 hour for free, at her own expense.

You have stated that seems completely reasonable to you.

You also appear to have a problem with the op being less than overjoyed at the prospect it ? I think some times our natural responses to someone else’s unreasonable behaviour, are perfectly reasonable.

Lastly, If you wouldn’t work a free ‘trial’ shift for a prospective new employer, why do you think it’s reasonable for someone else to ?

What is it exactly is it in the post you quoted that you believe is reasonable ?

I pay my cleaner £12 and hour and she comes eith her own mop, vacuum and cleaning products. Are you expecting your clients to supply everything?
The 1 hour trial woman sounds like she's going to flake out on you.

@Verite1

I live in London and usual rate is £12 an hour and customer provides cleaning products. If my cleaner wants to use anything in particular (product or mop or cloths etc) i buy it for her.

This, going rate is £11-£12 an hour, you can probably increase by £1 after 6 months / a year, but mention it FIRST with a couple of weeks notice to say ‘my rates are going up’ vs after which comes over as ‘I’m treating myself to a pay rise whether you think I’m worth it or not’

PS - no way would I pay £15 even if you were Kim & Aggie combined

I used to date a joiner, and he said over the years he got very good at knowing who was just going to be a pain in the arse. Not a sixth sense - just experience! I’m sure his alarm bells would ring at this one!

I would expect a new cleaner to meet with me at their own expense to discuss my requirements and price up the job - not for a one off, for a regular clean. But I wouldn’t expect them to clean during that time.

As a client, you take the risk that someone is rubbish. You have three choices - only employ someone with references, or be prepared to hold back the money at the end and refuse to pay (if genuinely fair), or accept that you might lose money.

I can’t say cleaners don’t do free trials, as I’m not one. I’d be surprised though!

I don’t offer an hours service, it isn’t worth it, you have to factor in travel time/costs/loading/unloading equipment etc. I have quite a few elderly clients who live alone and they pay £20 for an hours clean. There houses are mostly unused apart from lounge/bedroom/toilet/kitchen so an hour or just over is plenty. These are good business and they often will pass their details to their friends who need a little extra help too. First cleans on these are never an hour though so offer 2 first and then drop to your minimum call out. It’s nice chatting to them and making them a cuppa.

Many old people won’t have social media so a leaflet drop is perfect for these. Then word gets round and before you know it you’ll have a few and you can do them all on the same day.

I wouldn’t go for the trial. Set your boundaries/ your rate and stick to it. You also haven’t seen the property. Highly unlikely you will make much of an impact in an hour.

£15 is NOT too much. Remember you are offering your TIME and your hard work. You probably won’t have insurance yet but you will need to look into this. You live in London too so I think it’s perfectly reasonable. People will see you’re new to it and will try it on, like this lady is. I would say it’s too far and decline politely. Focus on your local area, leaflet drop, post pics on your FB page, even a before and after if your own bathroom/kitchen/dirty blind etc. Ask people to like and share your page. Good luxk

@Emeraldshamrock This was a bad one! They were a young married couple with professional
Jobs, but had mental health problems which meant they hadn’t kept on top of the cleaning. Honestly some houses we do are stunning and then there are these! However it’s satisfying at the end when it looks lovely.. and when I can get home and get in the bath lol x