Hourly rate for domestic cleaner?

imtight

I have just taken on a cleaner for my 2 bedroom flat in Devon. (November 2011). I am paying £10 per hour which is what she requested. Seems fair to me. She whizzes round & does a good job.

clinchtech

Does anyone know the going rate for cleaners in the Red Lodge/Newmarket area, if so, is there any one out there who would like to take on a job for a professional single man? duties to include all usual cleaning usually for 2-4 hours a week, plus some ironing.

cobbingstones

Hello all,

I'm trying to start my own cleaning company in the cotswolds and I thought that with petrol, using my own cleaning supplies, insurance etc etc £10 per hour would be a good rate. However, the two possible leads that I have followed up both thought it was too much to charge. I'm now thinking of £8 per hour to get some work, what do you think?

fleetco

I'm also looking at setting up my own cleaning company and have been doing a lot of research on everything - never sell yourself short on pricing - if your rates are £10 an hour for one person, don't reduce it to £8 for another - sell the added value of the service you are offering, make them need your service and impress on them just why they need to pay you £10 per hour... it's YOUR living. If they insist on £8 an hour, move on... Would an electrician or a plumber cut his rates just to get the job? Would a driving instructor cut a deal just to fill the seat in his car?

Good luck!

kirsty822001

For the last 4 yrs I have been cleaning in Cardiff, I charge £10 hr, most of my cleans have been with me since I started, they are all v happy with the work I do. I also clean properly, get stuck in around the loos,showers and cupboards, If I have time I do inside of fridges, washing machine drawers (my fav ). I like doing windows,door frames & skirtings. It is so satisfying, some houses are v tidy some are not, I dont care what state they are in, I am not there to judge, there to 'help' I like tidying and organising, I agree sometimes I would love to get stuck in to organising and de cluttering/paperwork but not there for that!
I like to know that when they come home they will think ' yey she has been' I will stick the washing out if I know it will dry, I have minded sick kids,animals,whilst they pop out, not often but its happened. I have listened to their troubles, adviced when asked, (usually about kids, I have 3 myself) I have been in house during arguments (awwkward!!) Discovered a burglar and been a witness at court.
All my cleans are just lovely, some are in some are never there, some leave me stuff anything from magazines to clothes,furniture and even out of date cake! I have taken over from previous cleaners and found when I move chairs/couches or tables old newspapers etc, so I know there are good and bad cleaners like any job, someone I know who also cleans told me I do too much but I really enjoy it, I like to get stuck in and see a difference.

Stericlean

kirsty822001 wrote: »

For the last 4 yrs I have been cleaning in Cardiff, I charge £10 hr, most of my cleans have been with me since I started, they are all v happy with the work I do. I also clean properly, get stuck in around the loos,showers and cupboards, If I have time I do inside of fridges, washing machine drawers (my fav ). I like doing windows,door frames & skirtings. It is so satisfying, some houses are v tidy some are not, I dont care what state they are in, I am not there to judge, there to 'help' I like tidying and organising, I agree sometimes I would love to get stuck in to organising and de cluttering/paperwork but not there for that!
I like to know that when they come home they will think ' yey she has been' I will stick the washing out if I know it will dry, I have minded sick kids,animals,whilst they pop out, not often but its happened. I have listened to their troubles, adviced when asked, (usually about kids, I have 3 myself) I have been in house during arguments (awwkward!!) Discovered a burglar and been a witness at court.
All my cleans are just lovely, some are in some are never there, some leave me stuff anything from magazines to clothes,furniture and even out of date cake! I have taken over from previous cleaners and found when I move chairs/couches or tables old newspapers etc, so I know there are good and bad cleaners like any job, someone I know who also cleans told me I do too much but I really enjoy it, I like to get stuck in and see a difference.

Thanks for this this has given me another world view on cleaning, would you mind telling me how you got your first customers who weren't known to you?

cobbingstones

Best ways to advertise are yell (free ad), google ( again using free codes) create some professional business cards from vista print and just pay for postage. Advertise on shop windows, noticeboards etc. The most affective way once you are up and running is word of mouth.

Good luck

rac0107

Hi to everyone on this forum

I have been a self-employed cleaner for three years now, and I can tell you that it is hard work. It is also rewarding - you can pick and choose who you clean for, meet some great people, earn money for yourself; better than working for a grumpy, inept boss.

I found the best way to start is to advertise on free sites - such as Gumtree - I find them a brilliant way of getting work. I also set up email alerts from sites advertising for cleaners, including Gumtree.

Be straightforward, explain clearly what you are able to do -if you are not very good with computers or putting together wording which makes you look professional, rope in someone you know who can help you out.

Don't be put off if you do not get responses straight-away, replies to ads are like buses; none for ages, then two or three come along at once.

Once you are up and running, give yourself a couple of months to make sure you are happy with what you are doing. If you decide to carry on with the cleaning and building your own little empire, make sure you register with the tax. This is really easy to do (if I can do it, anyone can) and is free.

Word of advice here - check out the HMRC website (taxman) and read everything you can about what you can and cannot do.

Must go - I have got another cleaning job to look at -but if anyone wants any more advice, just post your question on here and I will do my best to help.

P.S I charge £9.00 per hour, and most people are happy with that.

Rachel

mermaids

Hi my name is Barbara and i have my own cleaning company my rates start from £9 per hour my advice is dont drop your rates too low because of the expense of insurance,advertising ,travel expenses i think some people dont appreciate the extra costs involved.Hope this helps.

mavvymoo

I live in North Norfolk and I charge £10/12 per hour on domestic cleans and £15 per hour on holiday lets ( which we have a lot of here :T)
So Friday and Saturday I am always on holiday lets
I have a waiting list at the moment of about 6 clients. I work alone as my standard is really high and other people find it hard to work with me as I am so fussy with how I clean and leave a property .

But I feel I am earning good money and clients should get the standard and service they pay for .

My one word of advice is not to sell yourself short and always charge at least £10 per hour.