To increase this clients charge ?

[Boomboomi]

I have a very awkward situation . I am a cleaner and I took on a lady a year ago who had a difficult situation.
I also look after her cat when I am when she is away and there is an agreement that I care for the cat as she knows me

At the time for my own reasons and her then limited financial situation - single parent , I agreed to work for her add hoc for way below my charge.

We have become friendly.

With the cost of living and I said that I would need to nominally put my price sessions up , but that they would still remain below the going rate , v significantly

This appeared to have caused upset on a personal level for which I am sorry
She has said things like ‘ I thought we were friends, and that she struggles with money Although I know that she works hard she does not have what I would see as a frugal lifestyle as she does go out for meals , has nails done regularly, etc.

I think that I have ‘ offended’ her and she has indicated that I am less of a friend but being transactional.

I absolutely see that lines between business and friendship have been blurred .I have tried to say that my need to increase the charge slightly in no way means that I care less for her or her pet - the latter being the crux of the matter as I have agreed to care for him in her will .

was i bu? And any advice?
My plan is to keep repeating that I genuinely care for her pet but also need to earn .
( Every session I do means that i get paid less than my normal wage - this will continue with the increase- but I would just earn a little more to make it more manageable).

The boundaries are crossed she has taken this personal in that she see's the friendship not that you ate earning a living.
She can change her will thats no biggy.
Id walk away completely find a new customer and keep boundaries firm.
Just learn from it be professional not over friendly .

I did this 15 years ago and today I am still only getting paid £20 for cleaning a whole flat 🤣🤣🤣I’m out of my house 4 hours for this exact reason , we became friends . Never again , my lady is 94 now and I just suck it up but never ever again

And THAT is pure manipulation

dont fall for that. That’s the low blow that has you bringing out the red card

Say you’re happy to look in and care for pet while she’s on holiday…

(when’s the last holiday YOU took btw @Boomboomi ? )

…but in future you’ll be a friend only and not a cleaner. It’s too much muddying of the waters

She is completely unreasonable to expect a discount in the first place and should accept an increase without complaint. You have to pay your own bills and it's totally reasonable to put your prices up given the huge rise in the COL. I would never expect a friend to do work for me at less than the going rate. Don't let her emotionally blackmail you when you see her - tell her you simply cannot afford to use your valuable time to work for low pay. Good luck - it's not you, it's her!

Not asking you before putting in her will that you would look after her pet is a massive cheek. Does she pay you to look after it now?

Shecsounds massively selfish and entitled.

sack her off she is using you

In what way are you friends? Or is it a friendly chat when she is following you around whilst you clean?

I don’t know how much you charge her, obviously, but have you pointed out to her what minimum wage is and how your hourly rate compares to that? Explain about tax/NI, pension, overheads (transport, cleaning products), etc.
Maybe ask her how many days paid annual leave she gets, and what sick pay she gets, then point out that you don’t get that, you just get £x per hour.

This....

I would honestly say that, because you value her friendship you are going to step away from the cleaning now and get another client. That you are doing this to keep the friendship. Whether she wants the friendship is then up to her. Whether she can afford another cleaner or not is up to her. If she truly valued your friendship she wouldn’t be acting the way she is. You can still be in her will for the cat. You don’t deserve to de value yourself to please her.

She’s upset and annoyed because you’re realising she’s what I call a taker. She’ll use you while it suits her and think it’s ok, and not worry about treating you in a fair way. Step away from this friendship, she uses people.

Personally I never expect ‘mates rates’. I prefer to know that I am supporting a friend rather than a stranger.

I would love to be so hard up that I could only afford a mate's rate cleaner!!! Unfortunately I have to do mine myself 😥

Will invariably sound harsh here, but it's likely the cat will die before she will. So, you're probably safe from inheriting a cat!

Business is business and you have to earn a living too. So, you need to tell her firmly, but kindly that those are the rates going forward, cat or no cat.

Update - I requested to meet up this am to discuss.
She arrived but said she had to go as had a domestic problem and could not stay. First day back frm her holiday.
i said Ok - I do need to talk to you .
Within half hour I get a message saying ring me but I am very busy due to domestic issue. Please confirm booking s. I said I would hounor the ones in diary I needed to talk ... there were things we need to discuss, there are issues , and an awkward situation .
Her reply was nothing is awkward - I have booked you for …. Dates …
See you soon etc .

I will follow this up after a few days away .

She knows full well you need to increase your prices. Just tell her "my hourly rate is £x, please confirm this is ok or you will have to find someone else"

Has she booked you at the old rate or the new rate?

Just reply as of 1st October (or choose a date) my prices will increase to £15 per hr
Or £17.50 if you dare!
Thank you for your continued support of my small business.
That way youre making it look like a generic text sent to all your client, if she says she cant afford it, just say 'ok thats fine' don't go into he said,she said why fors or where fors. Just OK fine. Xx
Ps good luck with the cheeky fucker

I would reply and say just to confirm
going forward from your next clean the new price will be £x please let me know you are happy to proceed at the new price . I wouldn’t leave it and just turn up id defo get this sorted beforehand

Great text.
She is preparing to play chicken with you as she thinks you will bow down.

You are no more her friend.
You are a convenience to exploit.

Just another CF.

She knows exactly what she is doing. She is being disrespectful to you and your business.

I think you need to press on with doing this by text. Tell her you are putting your rates up for bookings from X date onwards.

Request payment in advance.

Tried to speak to you today in person but you were too busy. I am reassured that you dont find anything awkward. I have informed you of the increase in rates which is effective from 1 September 2026. Once you have confirmed you are content with the hourly rate of £xph I will confim future bookings. It is not anticipated to be any rises before 1 April 2027. (Or whatever date you see fit) keep it open that there may be rises in future.
Good luck.

Who the hell does she think she is.
She is so rude dismissing you like that.
I would find your anger OP she’s taking you for a fool.

She is completely taking the piss