Is this client request for a cleaning proposal a normal expectation?

[ByAlertGoldGoose]

Hi,

I'm a domestic cleaner and just need a sense check if you have a cleaner or you are a cleaner.

I received the following message from a client I started with last week. For context the home is a bedroom, 2 bathroom house

"Hi XXX, I’d like to come up with a plan for the next 6 months. I like the idea of having a full clean on Tuesday and then a once over on Friday. Regular bed sheets changed and towels. I don’t know if you do general laundry and ironing, otherwise we can do the laundry and maybe find someone to do ironing.

Could you write me a proposal of your thoughts and ideas and goals for the house. And then we can make an agreement going forward.

Also, just before the beginning of each new season, a deep house cleaning, getting everything ready for the next season.

Sounds good?

All of your thoughts and ideas on the setup of the house, any systems we should put it place etc.

Write everything down so I can have a look through"

I've never had such a request so wondered if this a one off request or is this the expectation going forward?

Personally, I think the OP making a template/list of tasks and frequencies would be worthwhile not just for the current request, but for other clients to, as a template/pattern of work so both client and cleaner can see what's to be done, and when, and more importantly to highlight things that aren't agreed to be done, such as very infrequent jobs that are maybe only every 3 months or yearly. Always best to have the detail to manage expectations.

I have a cleaner for 2 hours a week. I have a spreadsheet with a weekly section showing each room and a list of tasks I'd like done in that room. Each week, I tick the jobs I'd like her to do. There's also a monthly section that works the same way.

She's happy with this as and I get the jobs done that are most important to me. Not all rooms are used regularly, so I swap things around depending on what's needed. It works really well for us.

It sounds a bit grandiose but I don't think there is any harm in a client who wants to work via a regular plan. I agree that using Google or one of the AIs to generate a list of tasks based on what the client has told you would be a good beginning. Then you can give her a time frame and prices for the required jobs.

I set a series of tasks for myself each day (although I don't always get through them). My cleaner comes once a week and I text her a list in advance of what I want doing. Or we discuss it the week before so she can come prepared. The same with my gardener. That way they can just get on with things. without any input from me.

Agree. I’d read that and bin it off. Not worth the hassle that you know is coming…

She is looking to remove all mental load from her brain with this request.
This is housekeeper territory.

Tell her she can plan it or you can plan it but it will be charged at £25ph and a minimum charge of £100.

I'd break it out into 3 sections

1. Regular cleaning

a. tuesday clean 4 hours and list of jobs
b. Friday clean 2 hrs friday and list of jobs

1. The clothes washing and ironing however many hours and proposed day

3.Deep clean 8-10 hrs id suggest 3 x per year sept, early Dec and april (pre-easter)

use chatgpt to help make the list of what you'll do.

If shes not willing to pay for at least 10hrs per week dont even start..
I also love thet she want YOU to find someone to iron her clothes. 😅😅😅

I wouldnt ve doing that but if the home is near / convenient might be nice to have a regular gig thats nearby / convenient

I agree with this, especially the part about making it clear in writing from the start as to what’s IS included in the services and price, in order to to define what is NOT included in your services or not priced into her services.

A list of what is included can be used at a later date to remind her if she tried to get cheeky with add ons she’ll try not to pay for (I think they she will!)

Your thoughts and ideas and goals ? 🤣
wtf ?
Nah as another poster put it they want PA Housekeeper on the staff for the price of a cleaner.
Thoughts and goals indeed 🙄

This looks like a great idea!

Also, don’t forget as well, that if you agree, you are now moving into ‘housekeeper’ territory so either way, whether you charge the ‘hourly’ rate or you use the ‘per job based on the scope’ model, you still want to be charging at what works out as a premium loaded hourly rate, to compensate for the additional mental load that housekeeping will bring to you!

There’s a few pitfalls you could fall into unless you handle this very carefully from the start!

I agree. “Goals for the house” sounds like this person had spent too much time consuming social media garbage.

If it’s just a one page plan why not just do it yourself I don’t understand why people recommend chat gpt for small tasks such as this ?

Oh behave...

I’d run a fecking mile!

My cleaner and I have this arrangement…
clean bathrooms, kitchen and bedroom change sheets.
hoover.
use the rest of the 3 hours to do what you think best. Swap rooms each visit….

Because if she wanted to write up documents she’d get an office job, surely the beauty of working g as a cleaner is that you turn up, do the work and leave without having to fill in paperwork in triplicate!

But she's self employed, not an employee, and paperwork/admin etc IS part of being self employed. It's why self employed charge more than a hourly wage rate.

She seems to be approaching this in the way she might manage a project at work.

Write back and say

"As the client it's your job to tell me what you want doing. For a weekly clean I could suggest, dust, hoover and mop throughout and clean both bathrooms. You could then leave a list of other jobs to complete if time allows. E.g. wiping down skirting"

Not all cleaners get involved with sheet changing and washing that depends on how many hours you're doing.

In terms of routines. Leave the house tidy, floors clear so it can be cleaned is standard.

It sounds like she wants a housekeeper not a cleaner.

I agree @ByAlertGoldGoose - not necessarily time and a half but do charge for your time.

Apologies all, here are answers to some of your questions:

This family consists of John, Sally and 2 sons (16 & 9).

No pets.

John works from home, Sally works in a pub.

House is kept very tidy.

John appears to rule the roost and I deal solely with him.

From the few conversations I've had with John, Sally knows where everything is and what's going on in their home.

Got the impression having a cleaner is a new experience for him/them.

We're in Surrey.

On Tuesdays I'm there from 12.30 to 16.00

On Fridays I'm there from 13.30 to 15.30

I have a morning clients so can't start earlier and he wants me to finish before his sons come home.

Oh just to clarify, when I meet a client, we'll do a walk round where they tell me what they want me to do and then leave me to it.

I make notes and reminders in my phone for things I don't do regularly eg cleaning the fridge and oven,descaling the shower head.

Once again thank you for all your responses, they've definitely given me loads to think about.

ChatGPT is made for this sort of stuff (and given people post answers from it in response to questions where it is really not appropriate to use I'm surprised no one has used it here!). I built a prompt based on your original post, and then asked it to refine the initial answer with timings and I've pasted what it gave me:

Six-Month Professional House Cleaning Plan
Property Details
Property Type: Three-Bedroom House
Bathrooms: Two
Cleaning Schedule: Two Visits Per Week

• Tuesday: Comprehensive Weekly Clean
• Friday: Freshen-Up Maintenance Visit

Contract Period: Six Months

Service Overview
This six-month cleaning programme is designed to maintain a consistently high standard of cleanliness throughout the home while ensuring seasonal deep cleaning is completed before each change of season. The schedule combines thorough weekly cleaning with a second maintenance visit to keep the property fresh, hygienic, and guest-ready at all times.
Estimated Time Requirements
Service
Estimated Duration
Tuesday Comprehensive Clean
4–5 hours
Friday Freshen-Up Visit
2–3 hours
Seasonal Deep Clean
7–9 hours
Total Weekly Cleaning Time
6–8 hours
Total Six-Month Cleaning Time
Approximately 165–210 hours
Estimates are based on a well-maintained three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with standard occupancy levels and may vary depending on the level of cleaning required.

Weekly Tuesday Comprehensive Clean
Estimated Duration: 4–5 Hours
The Tuesday visit focuses on a thorough clean of the entire property together with regular housekeeping tasks.
Kitchen (45–60 minutes)

• Clean and sanitise all worktops and surfaces
• Clean sink, taps, and splashbacks
• Wipe exterior cupboard doors and handles
• Clean exterior of appliances
• Hob cleaning and polishing
• Empty bins and replace liners
• Vacuum and mop floors

Bathrooms (Both) (45–60 minutes)

• Clean and disinfect toilets
• Clean baths, showers, screens, and tiles
• Clean sinks and vanity units
• Polish mirrors and chrome fixtures
• Empty bins
• Vacuum and mop floors

Bedrooms (Three) (60–75 minutes)

• Change bed linen as required
• Make beds
• Dust furniture and accessible surfaces
• Vacuum floors and rugs
• Empty waste bins

Living Areas (60–75 minutes)

• Dust furniture, shelving, and accessible surfaces
• Clean glass and mirrors where required
• Vacuum carpets and rugs
• Vacuum upholstery as needed
• Mop hard flooring

General Housekeeping (30–45 minutes)

• Change and replace bathroom towels
• Dust skirting boards and window sills
• Remove cobwebs
• Tidy and straighten rooms
• Check and maintain overall presentation standards

Weekly Friday Freshen-Up Visit
Estimated Duration: 2–3 Hours
The Friday visit maintains cleanliness between the main weekly cleans and prepares the home for the weekend.
Kitchen (20–30 minutes)

• Wipe and sanitise worktops
• Clean sink and taps
• Empty bins if required
• Spot clean appliance exteriors
• Vacuum and mop floor

Bathrooms (Both) (30–40 minutes)

• Refresh toilets, sinks, and showers
• Polish mirrors and fixtures
• Replace towels as required
• Empty bins
• Mop floors

Bedrooms (Three) (30–40 minutes)

• Light dusting of key surfaces
• Bed making and room presentation
• Vacuum high-traffic areas

Living Areas (30–40 minutes)

• Light dusting
• Vacuum main traffic areas
• Tidy cushions and furnishings
• Spot clean visible marks where required

General (15–30 minutes)

• Empty internal bins
• Refresh entranceways and hallways
• Final presentation check throughout property

Seasonal Deep Cleaning Programme
Estimated Duration: 7–9 Hours
A comprehensive deep clean will be completed immediately before the beginning of each new season during the six-month service period. This can be undertaken as a dedicated full-day visit or split across two visits if preferred.
Kitchen (2–2.5 Hours)

• Interior and exterior cupboard cleaning
• Interior refrigerator clean
• Interior oven clean
• Detailed appliance cleaning
• Degreasing of surfaces and splashbacks

Bathrooms (1.5–2 Hours)

• Deep descaling of fixtures and shower screens
• Detailed grout and tile cleaning
• Exhaust fan cleaning
• High-level dust removal

Bedrooms (1–1.5 Hours)

• Deep vacuuming including under beds
• Wardrobe exterior cleaning
• Detailed dusting of furniture and fixtures

Living Areas (1.5–2 Hours)

• Detailed dusting of all accessible surfaces
• Upholstery vacuuming
• Deep clean of skirting boards and woodwork
• Internal window cleaning where accessible

Whole House (1–1.5 Hours)

• Light fittings and switches cleaned
• Door frames and doors wiped down
• Window sills and ledges detailed
• High-level cobweb removal
• Deep floor cleaning throughout
• Seasonal decluttering and presentation preparation

Seasonal Schedule
Late Summer / Early Autumn Deep Clean
Preparation for cooler weather, increased indoor living, and autumn housekeeping requirements.
Late Autumn / Early Winter Deep Clean
Preparation for winter, festive entertaining, and year-end home presentation.

Service Benefits

• Consistently maintained home environment
• Fresh bed linen and towels throughout the year
• Reduced build-up of dust, allergens, and dirt
• Seasonal deep cleaning to maintain long-term property condition
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate homeowner requirements
• Professional presentation of the property at all times

Service Duration Summary (Six Months)

• Tuesday Visits: Approximately 26 visits × 4–5 hours = 104–130 hours
• Friday Visits: Approximately 26 visits × 2–3 hours = 52–78 hours
• Seasonal Deep Cleans: 2 visits × 7–9 hours = 14–18 hours

Total Estimated Labour Requirement 170–225 hours over six months

You can further refine it for example, by asking it to be more goal focused (because she has asked you to outline your goals for her house) to get something like this:

Six-Month Home Care & Cleaning Programme
Property Details
Property Type: Three-Bedroom Home
Bathrooms: Two
Programme Duration: Six Months
Service Frequency: Twice Weekly

• Tuesday: Comprehensive House Care Visit
• Friday: Weekend Refresh Visit
• Seasonal Deep Cleans: Conducted prior to each new season

Programme Objectives
The purpose of this six-month programme is to ensure the home remains consistently clean, comfortable, organised, and ready to enjoy throughout the year, while reducing the burden of household maintenance on the homeowner.
The programme is designed to achieve four key objectives:

1. Maintain Exceptional Everyday Living Standards

Ensure all rooms remain clean, hygienic, tidy, and welcoming, creating a home environment that is always comfortable for residents and visitors.

1. Preserve the Condition of the Property

Regular cleaning and preventative maintenance help protect fixtures, fittings, flooring, bathrooms, kitchens, furnishings, and fabrics from unnecessary wear and deterioration.

1. Deliver Hotel-Style Comfort

Fresh bed linen, clean towels, beautifully presented rooms, and attention to detail ensure the home feels consistently cared for and ready to enjoy.

1. Prepare the Home for Seasonal Living

Dedicated seasonal deep cleans ensure the property is refreshed, decluttered, and prepared for the changing demands of each season.

Service Delivery
Tuesday Comprehensive House Care Visit
Estimated Duration: 4–5 Hours
Goal
To reset the home each week and establish a high standard of cleanliness, hygiene, comfort, and presentation across all living spaces.
Key Outcomes

• Bathrooms remain hygienic, fresh, and free from build-up.
• Kitchen surfaces and preparation areas are sanitised and ready for daily use.
• Bedrooms are refreshed with clean linen and professionally made beds.
• Living areas remain dust-free, organised, and welcoming.
• Floors throughout the property are thoroughly cleaned and maintained.
• Towels and household linens are regularly renewed.
• The home presents at its best following each visit.

Friday Weekend Refresh Visit
Estimated Duration: 2–3 Hours
Goal
To maintain standards achieved during the main clean and ensure the property feels fresh and welcoming for the weekend.
Key Outcomes

• High-traffic areas remain clean and presentable.
• Bathrooms and kitchen are refreshed and sanitised.
• Beds and bedrooms remain neat and inviting.
• Floors, entrances, and principal living areas receive attention where needed.
• The home feels ready for family time, entertaining, or guests.

Seasonal Deep Clean Programme
Estimated Duration: 7–9 Hours
Goal
To undertake a comprehensive property refresh that addresses areas not typically included in routine cleaning and prepares the home for the next season.
Key Outcomes

• Removal of accumulated dust, dirt, grease, and hidden build-up.
• Deep cleaning of kitchens, bathrooms, fixtures, and appliances.
• Improved appearance and longevity of furnishings and finishes.
• Enhanced indoor air quality through detailed dust removal.
• A fully refreshed, organised, and season-ready home environment.

Seasonal Focus Areas Autumn Preparation

• Refresh living spaces ahead of increased indoor living.
• Prepare guest areas and bedrooms for the colder months.
• Deep clean kitchens and bathrooms following summer use.

Winter Preparation

• Present the property at its highest standard ahead of festive entertaining.
• Deep clean high-use family spaces.
• Refresh and reset the home for the winter season.

Time Commitment
ServiceFrequencyDuration
Comprehensive House Care Visit
Weekly (Tuesday)
4–5 hours
Weekend Refresh Visit
Weekly (Friday)
2–3 hours
Seasonal Deep Clean
Twice during programme
7–9 hours
Total Estimated Labour Requirement
170–225 hours over six months

Expected Results
By the end of the six-month programme, the homeowner can expect:

• A consistently clean, comfortable, and welcoming home.
• Fresh bed linen and towels maintained throughout the programme.
• Reduced accumulation of dust, dirt, limescale, and household clutter.
• Improved longevity and presentation of household fixtures and furnishings.
• A property that remains ready for family life, guests, and entertaining with minimal homeowner involvement.
• Smooth transitions between seasons through proactive deep cleaning and preparation.

Gut feeling? I'd try to fill your hours elsewhere unless they are paying you well enough to put up with this level of expectation. (Thorough cleaning expectation is fine, but written thoughts and "goals" for their house etc is OTP.)

Good luck, I fear you will need it.

I've had three different cleaners over the last three decades. With each one of them we've had a walk around the house and a chat about my priorities and what is practical within the time. Then I've left them to it.

This person's expectations, and some posters' responses, are mind-blowing to me.

Write a proposal? Goals for the house? six month plan?

This is completely nonsensical and this client will likely be a nightmare to deal with.

I would just send him an email with a reminder or your rates as a cleaner and a line about how from the description of the work he has described you estimate it will take x number of hours weekly/monthly to do the job and that this can be reviewed after the first month.

Don't waste anymore of your time on this.

Have you used their real names ?
You’ve given their location, kids ages and work info .
I knew as soon as I ready your OP it was a man writing to you.
This ‘ hopes’ and ‘goals’ nonsense is just so cringe , he needs to catch himself on .

I think on balance i agree with pp who said to not take this on, I'd just leave them to it.

It's all too weird, and as a solo cleaner, there are SO many other normal clients out there to fill your schedule, why should you have this unnecessary stress?