My vacume cleaner "died" a couple of weeks ago when I did this lady's house. So the only thing that didn't get done was 1/2 of her bedroom and the rest of the upstairs. Everything else was done. She is the only person who wants me to bring my own vac, she has one in the closet and I assumed it was broken. Well, she docked my pay stating that I only did 75% of the work. According to her, 25% of my time is spent vacumming, which is not the case. Also, she has asked me to do extras like, letting the dog out, making her bed and cleaning out the vents. I don't normally do this kind of stuff, but I liked her and I didn't mind. I never charged her for this stuff. I went out and bought a vacumm cleaner to do her house with, which I don't need. I have all wood floors. In the note she stated that next time my vac breaks, to use hers in the closet. Well, why is she making me haul mine? I did call her and tell her I will no longer be cleaning for her. She pays me for 3 hrs. Takes 4.
2007-02-16 15:47:02 · 17 answers · asked by Jen 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
I'm also a house cleaner...if she told me that...I'd tell her to "pound salt"....there are way too many people who would love for you to clean their homes...move on.....people dont want you to use their vacum (usually) I've found...it's wear & tear on their equipment....so...it's good to own one for your cleaning business...even if you don't use it personally....but do be clear BEFORE you start a job with a new client....on price...what is to be done etc....then there can be no suprises!!! Good luck.
2007-02-16 16:37:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
She is trying to jip you out of the reasonable amount of pay that you should be recieving simply because you are a housecleaner. Personally, I don't look down on you as an occupation in any way, shape, or form. I know how much work it is and how beneficial the end results are for families. However, I was very glad to hear that you stopped cleaning her house. She is simply being ridiculous. She is probably making you haul a vaccum for a really bad reason...she thinks that yours is better, she doesn't want you to break hers, etc. I don't think you should've ever cleaned her vents, or taken out her dog unless she paid you for doing so, but I certainly commend your efforts and work ethic. I think that before you take on a new house, you should clearly lay out on the table exactly what you are going to be cleaning for a certain price, and then how much each extra chore will cost. Good luck, and be sure that you are assertive...after all it is your buisness. Best of luck!
2007-02-16 15:59:08 · answer #2 · answered by .:Blair:. 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't sound right to me. If this lady has a working vacuum cleaner and yours broke, in HER house, why on earth did she not suggest that you finish your job with her one? I don't think you need to work for people like that and you did the right thing in quitting. Also, maybe things are different in your area, but in the UK, we pay per hour of work. So, I pay my cleaner for two hours each week and she just does what she can in that time frame. She has a general list of things to do each week but if I have more ironing one week, it may mean that she doesn't wash the kitchen floor, for example. Some things don't need to be done every week. Going forwards, you should draw up a list of jobs and have the client prioritise what they want you to do and how frequently..and from that, agree how long it will take, each week. Then set your charge per hour. Once your time is up, you're done unless the client want to pay for another hour, that day.
2007-02-18 01:20:36 · answer #3 · answered by Strudders67 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, you work for yourself and if she is paying you less than you are working and you don't want to do it anymore, the only person you are really hurting is yourself, until you find another client. She can find another housekeeper and you can find another client. If you want to keep her as a client, you will need to renegotiate your contract. If she isn't amenable to the renegotiating and you aren't agreeable to working the way she wants it done then kiss this client good by. Sounds like a non issue since you have told her that you won't be doing her house anymore.
2007-02-16 23:41:13 · answer #4 · answered by Wealth of useless information 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe she used you.
I charge a flat rate and an extra $10. per/hr for things that are not part of that flat rate.
I also have a chart that I leave behind that I fill out as I clean, it states exactly what I have done and what I'm charging them for.
Hope this helps.
2007-02-16 22:32:52 · answer #5 · answered by eyes_of_iceblue 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She was trying to nickel you!! I am sure she does this in her everyday life and I am SO PROUD of you for leaving her. That kind of business is not worth your time and energy. You can now get 2 clients to make up for the time she took!!
Good Job! You did the right thing.
2007-02-17 03:14:58 · answer #6 · answered by Kerr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does sound like she was completely out of line and you did the right thing but dumping this client, she obviously wanted a little more than just a housekeeper, slavery is illegal.
2007-02-16 17:18:46 · answer #7 · answered by LesHug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is being unreasonable. You should have charged her extra for using your vacuum. And she should pay to repair it since it broke while you were cleaning her house. She is cheap and nasty. I'm glad you quit.
I appreciate having a good cleaning person and I am extra nice to her.
2007-02-16 15:53:23 · answer #8 · answered by notyou311 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
she is being a wicked witch!!!!! i would also let her know what you were letting her get away with and why: that she was being super cheap and rude. she needs to be called out on her inappropriate behavior. better yet, leave her a note... stating she only did 75% of her part...
2007-02-16 17:28:31 · answer #9 · answered by christy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems unfair, but unless you have a specific agreement, you've got nothing that's guaranteeing your full pay.
Some things, you just learn by doing. I'm sure, next time, you wont have any issues rejecting that sort of requests from others.
2007-02-16 15:53:17 · answer #10 · answered by interlude 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋