[silverclean]

Just wondering. Do any businesses prefer their cleaning to be done through the night? I.e. 23:00-06:00. Does anybody do this? Just I have a day job but would like to clean. The only thing is it's going to be through the night. I'm also struggling to make ends meet, so would like to earn extra cash. I work all hours in my day job, but I never work through the night.

I'm thinking it would be good for businesses as there are no cleaners getting in the way. The only limitation I can see is key holding. But as many small business cleaners start at say 06:00 (before the office staff arrive), then companies must trust them with the keys.

I know there is a safety aspect - not great being alone on a darkened trading estate, but I'm looking to offer customers something that fits around them. Also, if I did this full time, I could clean two properties on one morning. Doing one at say 04:00-06:00, and another at say 07:00-09:00.

Can anyone give me some advice?
Thanks.

[Paolo]

Hi,

70% of our work is key access and has to be done outside of working hours.

Your biggest problem will be getting the work in the first place if you work full time.

Paolo

[silverclean]

Great. I think it'll be hard to get customers, I just need a couple really. A few night a week would do me. Although I work full time, I get a lot of standby days and late starts so if I worked early morning I would be able to fit it around my job. And some of my shifts in work can be as little as 3 hours.

I've always wanted to work for myself, and like cleaning so I am hoping this will be a good basis to start 

[james44]

I dont think the neighbours will be happy you hoovering between 23:00-06:00

[JUST GUTTERS]

also wouldnt like to book carpet to be cleaned for 19.99 then get hit with a call charge and booking fee..your carpet clean now costs nearly £40

[BDCS]

I also looked at the price page - the add ons confuse, are you offering to work nights @ £10/hour ? Whats your day job ?

[silverclean]

Hey, sorry for the confusion. I'm meaning offices and business only - I would be severely annoyed if my neighbours had a cleaner in the middle of the night! 

Originally I had a partner working on this with me, but that didn't work out as he moved away and now it's just me left to pick up the pieces. Getting to grips with new website and all.

Originally we were going to have some kind of agency but it didn't work out. Right now I just want a simple business. Just me, cleaning - simple! No employees, agency, subcontractors etc etc.

I agree on the pricing - needs a lot of work and simplifying. Don't like the idea of add-ons, callouts and the like. I like simplicity, so I am going to change the pricing. Also, no carpet cleaning is offered no more. The website is very much a work-in-progress (a confusing one at that!).

Sorry for the confusion. PS - on the subject, does the website look ok? What about the colours and the like?

[Pristine Clean]

Hi Silverclean

The site looks good. Its a shame you don't offer carpet cleaning any more as  EOT cleans want that a lot. Maybe you could look at subbing that out.

the price of £10ph is very competitive, not sure about your area.

Also the site looks more aimed at the domestic market and not commercial offices. But it looks good.

As for cleaning offices at night or early morning that should not be a problem at all. Most of our work is carried out "out of hours". Either after they have closed from about 6pm or we can clean early morning as long as we are out of the building by 8am.

Some companies operate a 24 hour shift pattern so you need to check prior wasting your time to quote if you cant be as flexible as they need you to be.

The office cleaning world is generally in "split shifts" early morning - mid day - evening - late night.

We have many staff but I still find myself doing an early morning cleans then the rest of the day off and back out again in the evening till late. At times it can get very tiresome and can get you down at times.

Its not the number of hours the gets you its the going back out in the evening. Especially after you have done a very early morning like 3am - a carpet clean during the day then home for a bit then back out to clean offices in the evening till late.

The keys - not a problem. Its a good idea to have key insurance in case you lose a key to a building as it could prove costly.

Yes most of the cleaners are given a key to enter the building(s) and are trusted. Get them to sign for the keys and have a clause in the contract if they lose the keys they have to pay for the loss(deducted from there pay - get them to sign that clause separately again in the contract). This generally keeps them from losing the keys.

As for working alone - that is allowed. But I would take care as if you have an accident as no one will know. Larger companies have a system if the cleaner has not text in by a certain time they call the cleaner to check. After a certain set time if no response they have an action plan.

If you want the work for cleaning offices - the work is there even in this recession cold call and cold call and be competitive. At the moment it is all about price

People say don't under cut. It not good. Ask yourself this "Who is it not good for?" Providing you can earn a profit get the work that is business. Its better off in your pocket than someone other companies pocket.

You may also be surprised to learn that there are lots of back handers so some work you will not get no matter what you do.




 

Dave

[silverclean]

Hey Dave - thanks very much for the info and tips. I really appreciate it