[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by Verbal

I do that. I do absolutely no housework all week. They day before she comes I put things in order.

I do an elderly lady once a fortnight Im there for 2 hours I swear its the cleanest bungalow Ive ever seen. I have to clean things that are already sparkling. Only things that get remotely dirty is the bottom of her shower and she likes her sofa hovered. Ive started doing her friend and shes almost as clean now. 1st lady I know does it all before I get there except the shower and the sofa lol

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..oh sorry lol..I'll have to start reading threads...hmmm, I guess it varies in different areas but someone I know pays £10 an hour....

Thanks ammi that's very helpful although we wont charge by the hour it will be by the house.

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

That's ridiculous the agency I work for its a minimum of 2 hours. A flat yes Id say easy 2 hours @ the most depending on the size of the flat. Id never refuse to do a room.

I was quite lucky really, they had it in the small print of their contract that you could cancel it within the first month if you put it in writing. So I binned them. Or I would have been stuck with them for 6 months. I had one of them even refuse to clean my flat full stop! I guess they're used to cleaning the big luxury houses and not pokey two bedroom flats.

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Mizzy I would say about 7 to 8 pounds an hour would be a reasonable rate.

As there will be two of us doing it we will charge by the house not by the hour. Thanks though.

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by Verbal

I was quite lucky really, they had it in the small print of their contract that you could cancel it within the first month if you put it in writing. So I binned them. Or I would have been stuck with them for 6 months. I had one of them even refuse to clean my flat full stop! I guess they're used to cleaning the big luxury houses and not pokey two bedroom flats.

SNOBS! that's just bloody cheeky!

[mizzy25]

So £30 to £40 depending in what needs done isn't unreasonable?

[smudgie]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

Im in the north east, Newcastle. I know what the agency charges who I work for but then I also know what I do in the 2 hours Im given and its mainly just the basics without windows etc. Like I say it will be 2 of us so wont take as long. I guess Il have to see what the house is like, what she wants done and how often. it might be weekly which would be fab, fortnightly or monthly. Ive had a look online and the only agency that gives a price is the one I currently work for. I have a friend who does it herself she has done for 7 years now, but shes not much help to me, just says depends on the size the house etc

I used to do either two hourly or three hourly stints. Set out from the start what you will or won't do. I refused point blank to do ouside windows or cookers.
Decide on your hourly rate, then work at a steady pace, do not work flat out. Some weeks may vary from others, washing down paintworks etc. I used to finish the work and then stand and Iron until my time was up. Had very happy customers and done it for about 8 years until I packed in through health issues.

People do tend to tidy up a bit beforehand so that the cleaner can actually clean.

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by smudgie

I used to do either two hourly or three hourly stints. Set out from the start what you will or won't do. I refused point blank to do ouside windows or cookers.
Decide on your hourly rate, then work at a steady pace, do not work flat out. Some weeks may vary from others, washing down paintworks etc. I used to finish the work and then stand and Iron until my time was up. Had very happy customers and done it for about 8 years until I packed in through health issues.

People do tend to tidy up a bit beforehand so that the cleaner can actually clean.

Ive got one that doesn't clean @ all inbetween me going fortnightly its a single bloke lol

[smudgie]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

Ive got one that doesn't clean @ all inbetween me going fortnightly its a single bloke lol

charge him double...it will take twice as long to clean. This is why you need to charge by the hour. If two of you are doing it, it takes only half as long but you need to double the hourly rate.

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

So £30 to £40 depending in what needs done isn't unreasonable?

Looking around after a quick google search £10 an hour seems to be the going rate. If you're charging per house I would do a flate rate of £40/50 per job. It would largely depend on where you live though, as others have said. Someone in London would probably pay 3 times more than someone in Wales or oop North without batting an eyelid.

[Verbal]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

Ive got one that doesn't clean @ all inbetween me going fortnightly its a single bloke lol

Do I know you? lol

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

As there will be two of us doing it we will charge by the house not by the hour. Thanks though.

Oh okay I have had a cleaner in now and again after we have had building work done, they charge by the hour, if you charge an hourly rate you could be more flexible in that if once a month or so they want the oven or the windows done then there is no more negotiation just the number of hours worked would increase.

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by smudgie

charge him double...it will take twice as long to clean. This is why you need to charge by the hour. If two of you are doing it, it takes only half as long but you need to double the hourly rate.

makes a lot of sense so if I have a vague idea of how long it would take me ie if I thought it would take me 3 hours it would take 2 of us an hour and half so Id say £30 for 3 hours just for me but with 2 of us an hour and half but we still charge £30 + £15 each for an hour and a halfs work. Its either going to be £30 or £40 I think.

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by Verbal

Do I know you? lol

lol I hope not

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by Cherie

Oh okay I have had a cleaner in now and again after we have had building work done, they charge by the hour, if you charge an hourly rate you could be more flexible in that if once a month or so they want the oven or the windows done then there is no more negotiation just the number of hours worked would increase.

I do see your point, but what if it was a really easy day and we had said we would be there 3 hours but for some reason we were finished within 2 hours, we would have to stay the 3 hours. I know my mate whose done it for 7 years charges by the house not the hour and some days she has an easy day other she doesn't. I suppose its like when you are a boss @ work on a good wage but you don't get paid overtime etc but you do get paid a good salary. Il have think about it though Ive got till Tues, heck she may not even want us.lol

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

By the way I am the cleaner, I work @ the moment for an agency but Im branching out with my sister and I have a quote on Tues. Help.

Do you drive mizzy? if so I say go for it branch out on your own. My niece has her own cleaning business, scout about for grant/advice/help with start up costs.
You could message some established business out of your area, if your not in competition they might give you a few pointers.
I will message my neice and ask how she quotes new clients, think it's minimum 10hrs £10ph no half hours but not sure...
Just keep everything! things you buy for the business, get and give reciepts for all transactions.
Good luck!

[mizzy25]

thanks kizzy, yes I do drive, Im still working for the agency as well until I can get a few customers of my own, sadly I cant take theirs as I signed a contract saying I wouldn't lol

[Cherie]

If you charge by the house, then it is like asking how long is a piece of string really, as it may be minimilist or packed to the rafters with nick knacks, if they have dogs or children or dogs and children etc...at any rate it sounds like you are doing the right thing to branch out on your own good luck.

[Josy]

The agency you work for atm is probably charging around £10-£12 per hour for you and then paying you about £6 - £7.

Working for them saves you from having to pay your own insurance, buy your own cleaning products and tools etc.

So if you are doing it for yourself you need to pay your own public liability insurance (you can get this for less than £10 per month) and your own tools & cleaning products.

Work out how much you want to work for per hour, factor in the cost of your insurance and cleaning tools/products then figure out a realistic quote, don't cut yourself short just to get the contract or you will regret it in the long run.

You will also need to inform the tax office that you are self employed and keep all receipts, bank statements etc for when you fill in your self assessment.


I forgot to add - A lot of cleaning companies work out quotes by the size of the property.

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by Cherie

If you charge by the house, then it is like asking how long is a piece of string really, as it may be minimilist or packed to the rafters with nick knacks, if they have dogs or children or dogs and children etc...at any rate it sounds like you are doing the right thing to branch out on your own good luck.

aha I never thought of that. I have 3 dogs that live in the house so I see where you are coming from. Thanks.

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by Josy

The agency you work for atm is probably charging around £10-£12 per hour for you and then paying you about £6 - £7.

Working for them saves you from having to pay your own insurance, buy your own cleaning products and tools etc.

So if you are doing it for yourself you need to pay your own public liability insurance (you can get this for less than £10 per month) and your own tools & cleaning products.

Work out how much you want to work for per hour, factor in the cost of your insurance and cleaning tools/products then figure out a realistic quote, don't cut yourself short just to get the contract or you will regret it in the long run.

You will also need to inform the tax office that you are self employed and keep all receipts, bank statements etc for when you fill in your self assessment.


I forgot to add - A lot of cleaning companies work out quotes by the size of the property.

Although I work for an agency I am classed as self employed so the tax office already know this. Thanks for the advice Il bear all this in mind when I do the quote.

[anne666]

Hope you don't mind me joining in. The main thing is to undercut the opposition in business. If you know the hourly rate the agency charges that's your guide.

[mizzy25]

Originally Posted by anne666

Hope you don't mind me joining in. The main thing is to undercut the opposition in business. If you know the hourly rate the agency charges that's your guide.

Of course not anne any jhelp is much appreciated. Ive been having a look @ the houses online as they are new you can view them. They look pretty much a similar size to my own and I would personally pay between £30 and £40 to have mine cleaned. So I think if its weekly she wants Il be quoting £30 to £35 fornightly will be a bit more possibly £45 and if its monthly Il have to think about it.

[michael21]

Originally Posted by mizzy25

Serious question.
If you were working full time and didn't have time to clean your house. How much would you be prepared to pay a cleaner (or 2 cleaners) to come and do the hard work for you?

£30 per week

[mizzy25]

thanks michael