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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To remind you to pay your cleaner…?

224 replies

honeyandbutterontoast · 27/04/2022 06:12

Ive been working for years as a self employed cleaner. I charge a reasonable rate, do an excellent job but am really struggling to get clients to pay on time.

I understand it’s easy to forget to have the cash or not to bank transfer right away, but clients don’t seem to understand that I work because I need the money! If it’s not in my account I can’t pay my bills!

Already this week I have two clients who haven’t paid. Last week it was four in total I had to politely remind on Friday to pay me. Two of those had done the same the previous week.

Is there a nice way I can remind people? I’m wondering if it’s best just to drop those jobs and find new clients for their slots.

If you have a cleaner, how would you like her to broach this with you?

OP posts:
SmileyClare · 27/04/2022 08:32

I sympathise Op. I'm a self employed cleaner and often have to chase money owed from a couple of clients. Sometimes the money's wrong or they'll leave nothing and promise to pay double the following week. Unfortunately, I'm only just covering my outgoings, and its a real blow when money I desperately need is outstanding.

I find it humiliating to keep asking for money owed and would be really embarrassed if my clients knew how much I'm struggling for money.

TweetTweetMF · 27/04/2022 08:33

Can't you charge a late charge fee? I was self employed for something else years back and had the same issue I started to charge a late charge fee for 7 days after it was due and never had the problem again.

I would drop them though and find new clients if it's a regular thing.

Original poster
honeyandbutterontoast · 27/04/2022 08:34

It is humiliating. That is exactly it.

OP posts:
daffodilandtulip · 27/04/2022 08:37

Send a message out to everyone or post on your website or whatever "due to repeated non payment, two missed payments will mean I move to the next person on my waiting list. Thank you."

simplesooze · 27/04/2022 08:38

Oh wow, i leave cash for my cleaner. If I forget, ill to cash machine and get it there and then or put through her door that same day

If i didnt leave money, I wouldnt expect her to stay

SpiderinaWingMirror · 27/04/2022 08:39

There are no excuses.
We have a dogwalker we pay £20 a week to. The day she has done the last walk of the week to, the money automatically leaves our account into hers! I think we now have a week in hand cos she missed a couple but that just means that if our payment doesn't go through, she will still be square.

YouHaveYourFathersBreasts · 27/04/2022 08:40

Seems like clients should come with references/recommendations too, not just the cleaners/tutors/whatever.

Foolsrule · 27/04/2022 08:43

Where I am, decent cleaners are so hard to find that you’d have a waiting list. I’d just find someone else to clean for. They know exactly what they’re doing, they’re not absent minded or disorganized or a bit dippy. They simply don’t value your time and skills enough to pay you for your work. Nasty people.

SpidersAreShitheads · 27/04/2022 08:47

I'm a self-employed writer/editor/proof reader and it's always a bloody pain in the arse getting clients to pay me on time. They always act like they're doing you a favour by paying the invoice too, even when it's late. Or there's a little laughing emoticon "oh, what am I LIKE?! Forgot to pay you for 5 days!!". Just fuck off. It's been like this for over 10 years. And even the ones who start off paying on time eventually start to piss around and pay late. It's infuriating. I'm supposed to get paid by one big client towards the end of the month - I have to leave extra money in my bills account because I never know if it's going to arrive on time. It's just shitty.

SweetSakura · 27/04/2022 08:48

My cleaner Sends a text each time before she comes, to check all ok to come, that's my prompt to transfer the cash to her. Do you accept bank transfers? I have found it far easier since I didn't have to remember to have cash on me!

Eggshelly · 27/04/2022 08:56

honeyandbutterontoast · 27/04/2022 08:34

It is humiliating. That is exactly it.

It's them who should be embarrassed frankly. Move on to the next clients on your waiting list of you have one. Personally I would allow one late week if they were apologetic about it.

Eggshelly · 27/04/2022 08:57

Foolsrule · 27/04/2022 08:43

Where I am, decent cleaners are so hard to find that you’d have a waiting list. I’d just find someone else to clean for. They know exactly what they’re doing, they’re not absent minded or disorganized or a bit dippy. They simply don’t value your time and skills enough to pay you for your work. Nasty people.

Exactly this. They would pay a hairdresser at the time of the haircut.

Yellownightmare · 27/04/2022 09:02

honeyandbutterontoast · 27/04/2022 08:28

The thing is I’m sure in their minds it is only a small amount. And (no offence meant by this) they are always the kind of people who probably don’t realise what it’s like to have earmarked that money for the petrol I need that day, or the pet food I need to buy on the way home.

Right I need to toughen up I think and start sending reminders and then dropping clients. There is lots of work at the moment out there.

And yes it’s usually the really messy houses too. There’s obviously some kind of pattern there!!

For the regular late payers just say you have changed your paying structure and you can only clean now for them if they've paid by the time you've arrived.

Glenthebattleostrich · 27/04/2022 09:06

As a self employed childminder I absolutely feel your pain. I pay my cleaner at the start of the month when my invoices have been paid.

As an aside, I have a family wondering when our next trip out will be (usually do loads of groups and activities) as we seem to have been home lots this week. I smiled and answered when she pays her bill I'll be able to take the kids out because I don't take money from my salary for outings, that's a separate pot of money from invoices.

DrDetriment · 27/04/2022 09:08

SpidersAreShitheads · 27/04/2022 08:47

I'm a self-employed writer/editor/proof reader and it's always a bloody pain in the arse getting clients to pay me on time. They always act like they're doing you a favour by paying the invoice too, even when it's late. Or there's a little laughing emoticon "oh, what am I LIKE?! Forgot to pay you for 5 days!!". Just fuck off. It's been like this for over 10 years. And even the ones who start off paying on time eventually start to piss around and pay late. It's infuriating. I'm supposed to get paid by one big client towards the end of the month - I have to leave extra money in my bills account because I never know if it's going to arrive on time. It's just shitty.

Same problem here. I have 2k of unpaid invoices and am really struggling.

TheChurchOfEli · 27/04/2022 09:08

honeyandbutterontoast · 27/04/2022 08:34

It is humiliating. That is exactly it.

Why do you think it’s humiliating? It’s a struggle many self employed people face when dealing with clients? I used to work in a university and we would hire artists to run local art clubs for children as part of our outreach remit. Accounts were snails pace slow in processing invoices and they would be forever chasing with me as point B of contact. It was 100% more embarrassing for me to have to apologise for the fact they have been paid, it turned my stomach as I knew they weren’t in positions to let a week or two go by with no payment Blush please don’t feel embarrassed if anything your clients should

5128gap · 27/04/2022 09:08

Foolsrule · 27/04/2022 08:43

Where I am, decent cleaners are so hard to find that you’d have a waiting list. I’d just find someone else to clean for. They know exactly what they’re doing, they’re not absent minded or disorganized or a bit dippy. They simply don’t value your time and skills enough to pay you for your work. Nasty people.

This. OP, you hold the cards in these relationships and also the moral high ground. Tell them anyway you like and if they're offended, too bad. They should pay what they owe, and if they can't afford it, do their own cleaning. It's not your job to subsidise them.

prescribingmum · 27/04/2022 09:11

Not a window cleaner but I used another service where payment was via bank transfer and transfer was done at the end of the session and she confirmed she had received it plus the amount was correct. I don't think there was anything wrong with this - she had provided the service and deserved to be paid. Another option as PP have suggested is automatic payment or a week in advance. A subtle way of saying they must not need your service if they don't want to pay is a very good idea

I personally would forget so I always make a point of paying when the person is leaving. I hate chasing anyone for money so go out of my way to ensure no-one has to ask me a second time.

Fleur405 · 27/04/2022 09:12

I would just tell them that if it happens again you will have to find someone else for their slot as it’s a perfectly reasonable position - I forgot to pay my cleaner once (my son was seriously unwell and I was distracted) and I was mortified. I set up a standing order so it wouldn’t happen again. Obviously I’m aware she doesn’t come round and clean our house for 3 hours for fun.

I actually think pps idea of getting a little
mobile card machine is a good one (assuming it’s inexpensive).

EvilPea · 27/04/2022 09:16

I know they take a percentage from you. But could you get a card machine? Then they pay as you leave?
i don’t know how feasible that is.

EvilPea · 27/04/2022 09:16

Ahh see someone. Beat me to it.

have you cancelled the cheque yet 🤐

Flakjacketon · 27/04/2022 09:17

Can you offer an incentive such as pay in advance for 10 or 12 cleans and get one free.

5128gap · 27/04/2022 09:17

SmileyClare · 27/04/2022 08:32

I sympathise Op. I'm a self employed cleaner and often have to chase money owed from a couple of clients. Sometimes the money's wrong or they'll leave nothing and promise to pay double the following week. Unfortunately, I'm only just covering my outgoings, and its a real blow when money I desperately need is outstanding.

I find it humiliating to keep asking for money owed and would be really embarrassed if my clients knew how much I'm struggling for money.

There is no link between your entitlement to the money and how much you may or may not need it. They're not paying you from charity, they are paying because you've provided a professional service. It's not humiliating to be paid for your work. It is however humiliating to keep accepting the services of someone while avoiding paying for them.

EveningOverRooftops · 27/04/2022 09:17

honeyandbutterontoast · 27/04/2022 06:37

It was never an issue pre-Covid as people would be out at work so leave me cash. If ever I went into a house with no cash (or note saying they would drop it to me that evening) then I would text them to say “hi just got to yours and my money isn’t here, presumably you don’t want me to clean this week, do you want me next week?” or similar. It then never happened again.

but now, people are wfh, they say goodbye when I leave and that they will go and transfer me my money, then they don’t do it!!! Like I say, I can understand getting distracted for a couple of hours with work or whatever but it just seems so rude to forget for days.

Perhaps present them with a paper invoice with your bank details, hours worked and the total every visit. If they ask what it is just say you’re changing how you record and receipt clients to make your tax returns easier for your accountant

Onlyforcake · 27/04/2022 09:21

New (financial) year, new policy? Write a letter to your clients that you're keen to embrace the popularity of online payments as it is more convenient for your clients.

Payments to be made by x am on the day of a clean, late payments not accepted. Anyone wishing to carry on with cash, to leave envelope ready as previously. Thanks all.