Housecleaning service?

Question

My sister and I have a cleaning service and I would like to know How much you pay your cleaning service and what do they do ? How do you feel about cancels at the last minute. I just had a client cancel on us at the last minute and this is the second time in a row. I feel like getting a real job in the real world. Not that this isn't real work but it sure feels like we get clowned from some people who obviously do not take cleaning as serious as we do. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

make rules. thats what makes you look more professional. add fees if the client changes times or cancels.
the opposite happens to me, sometimes our lady just wont show up.
i also had ones that i would pay a certain amount per room, but then they wouldnt clean very well, but still make the same amount of money. so my new lady is paid hourly, 20 dollars an hour. i live in a small condo,which i like very clean, so she doesnt 'half-***' it, because she gets paid by the hour.

Answer 2

I had a great cleaning service that were very thorough and had a wonderful cleaning plan. I had them in one day every two weeks for which I paid $125 a visit. Their first two cleanings however they charged $150 each. Each visit they cleaned everything as usual but had a different heavier deep cleaning concentration per room. This was on a rotation. The service had the key to my house and a special code for our alarm system and they knew to be careful of my cats and I knew their day to be in was on Tuesday.. The only time I needed to cancel was when we were to be on vacation. I don't like anyone but the petsitter in the house when we are traveling. If your clients won't let you enter the home when they aren't there, I suppose you will continue to have cancellation problems. Frankly, I looked forward to having them.

Answer 3

This is a competitive buisness.What I suggest have a contract with client cancellations not given in 48 hours will be a $50.00 fee that will stop that also lock outs etc.I would stick it out it will pay off in the end you should cancel the client due to this.She will have a hard time finding a co for her needs.

Answer 4

I live in Minneapolis, MN and pay $22/hr for 3 - 3 1/2 hours of work. I have never cancelled last minute on my cleaning lady, so I dont know what the penalty is or should be. Seems like you work in a very competitive field. If you try to collect or ask for deposits, there's always going to be someone else providing the same service that will not charge for cancellations. You may lose the client altogether! Instead, you should immediately tell your client of your availability for rescheduling, so they can see you are #1 flexible and #2 you can make up for the lost revenue.

Now, if you have so much business and you wont miss losing one client, then tell your client that, due to her lack of understanding for your time and committment, you respectfully decline to clean her home again...and part ways as amicably as possible.

PS! My home is approximately 1700 square feet. Here is what I have my gal do.

Living Room/Foyer

Open and dust all blinds
Dust TV and TV Stand
Wipe down all tables, shelves and flat surfaces
Sweep and Wash the floors. (Paying extra attention to underneath and behind furniture)
Vacuum couches

Dining Room

Open and dust all blinds
Dust and polish chairs and table
Sweep and Wash the floors
Wipe down all other affected areas

Kitchen

Open and dust all blinds
Scrub countertops, table, stove and sink
If there are items in the dish rack, put them away
Toss dish towels under rack in washing machine
Check dish washer. If its clean, put items away
If dishes in washer are dirty, please start it up
Wipe down side of fridge and stove/oven
Wipe down wall in back of trash can, back/side of stove and outside cupboards
Clean microwave inside and out
Sweep and hand scrub all floors using bleach or other antibacterial cleaner
Examine and clean all visible areas
Empty trash

Stairs

Thoroughly vacuum all stairs
Wipe down railings and clean walls where there are marks

Upstairs Common Areas

Thoroughly vacuum all areas
Dust for cobwebs on front/back of doors and walls
Open and dust all blinds

Upstairs bedrooms

Thoroughly vacuum both bedrooms
Open and dust all blinds
In Master bedroom, make bed
Dust and organize tops of dresser
Empty trash

Upstairs office

Thoroughly vacuum
Please don’t touch desk! It's hubby's work area.
Empty trash
Open and dust all blinds

Bathroom

Open and dust blinds
Scrub shower, countertop, sink
Sweep and hand scrub floor using bleach or other antibacterial cleaner
Clean toothbrush areas and outside of medicine cabinet
Scrub and clean all areas of toilet using bleach or other antibacterial cleaner
Scrub tile surrounding toilet using bleach or other antibacterial cleaner
Clean all other visible areas
Toss area rug into washing machine
Empty trash

Basement

Vacuum stairs and lower landing
Clean railings and walls where there are marks


Total House

Go to all areas and inspect for complete job
Please remember to lock front and back doors!

Answer 5

well I say you need to make a policy up about cancellations and give to your clients. I clean for a living and I get 12 dollars an hour. I sweep,mop and dust and take out the trash.