Self-Employed as a Cleaner. Can Anyone Help Please?

[CleoSmackYa]

I've been thinking about becoming a self-employed cleaner, as there doesn't seem to be much else out there for me (single parent on jobseekers. No family for free childcare). I'm being hopeful that I could be flexible with my hours (Am I wrong?) I've done cleaning before (In a bar, years ago) I have a few questions if you've ever done this please!

-Public Liability Insurance (How much) and CRB checks (I have one from my daughters school. Would this be okay)

-Is self-employment worth it? I tried years ago. I earned £5 a week (Avon), and got £10 a week taken off my benefits, and had to pay National Insurance on top. It crippled me!

-Do you have to register first and hope you find work, or find work and then register?

-I don't drive so would be hoping for the local area, or rely on public transport (Very busy area, and lots of transport)

-How are you paid, and how much? How stable is the work? Do you supply your own cleaning products?

-Would I still get help with childcare for school holidays if I was working 16+ hours?

-How do you make sure you're safe going into strangers homes?

And anything else I may have forgot! Thank you in advance

To answer a few of your questions

most people that employ a cleaner want her to come at the same time every week - so hours poss not as flexible as you think.

If you are going to work for private individuals there are unlikely to be CRB checks - although most will want some form of reference. If you work for a cleaning firm they will perform a CRB check. They'll do this themselves - you don't have to worry about it.

I pay my cleaner £10 an hour £8 to £10 ph is going rate. Most private employers will pay cash.

The employer provides the products - not you

Thanks for replying so quickly!

Hi Cleo i'm sort of in the same boat as you. But i've already taken the plunge, got off benefits and registered self employed. I dont have any customers yet as i'm not due to start advertising until two weeks. Just having to do a bit more start up work first.

HVe om'd you cleo

I have had cleaners in the past from both companies and people working for themselves. My last cleaner varied her days. She also brings her dd with her sometimes, which is fine with me. I do not supply her materials and have never had a cleaner who has not brought all their own equipment/products; both individuals and companies.

My current job requires that I go into homes of people I have never met. I usually ring someone before I go in with the details and give them a time I expect to be out. If I am not they ring. Or I give them a quick text once inside that everything is ok - certainly not a 100% safe plan but not sure what else you could do.

I pay £12 an hour. She also does ironing which may be worth offering as an add on.

I pay my cleaner £10 an hour and provide cleaning products but i think she brings her own cloths. I'm happy to be flexible with her hours - Im out at work, even if she wanted to bring a LO whilst she worked I'd be fine with that as long as LO wasn't trashing the place!

I think - find your closest nicest area and stick some leaflets through doors or put up notices in shops/news agents. Be honest and get everything agreed up front - ask clients to leave you a note if they want something different doing that week.

Don't sell yourself short - £10 an hour has to be better than being on benefits - if your in London, your reliable then I'd say go for £12 an hour.

hth