[Ali_D]

Hi

I'm going to be moving from Swansea to Cheltenham soon and will need to look for another job.  I'm thinking about being a self employed domestic cleaner, but would need to fit it in between the school runs until the kids are older.  Do any of you have experience of this?  Would I get much work this way?  My partner's an oven cleaner so he can hopefully recommend me to his customers if I do take the plunge.  The only thing worrying me is am I too limited with time?  We're not moving for at least two months so just getting clued up at the moment.

Thanks
Ali

[andrew chrysler]

As long as working customers trust you to work while they are out, you should have no problem.

After all, nobody wants the noise of the vacuum while they are in the house.

Our cleaner always used to come at 7 in the morning, and if I didn't put the radio on loud she would forget I was in and "surprise" me!

After a few years, she was more like a member of the family and used to bring me tea and toast in bed..... but that's a different story!

[CMS]

I would think that those hours would suit fine.

Who wants a cleaner around when they're trying to get ready for work/get kids off to school etc.?

[lisa123]

we only work 9-3 unless its a big clean or an out of hours office clean.
so it can definatly be done. you will have no problem.
good luck!

[lynngc]

Ali,
is your other half called neil.

lynn

[Ali_D]

I'm also wondering, b eing a one (wo)man band, how to go about taking time off if you have regular weekly cleans.  Do you think this would cause a prob?

Thanks for the reassurance so far by the way.

Ali

[Ali_D]

Yes.  Hi Lynn.

[lynngc]

ali,
get neil to give u my number, pop up to my house, well have a chat.

tell him he missed a bit. LOL.

no, not really, well done neil for the good job on the cookers, client was most impressed, so was i.

lynn

[Ali_D]

That would be great Lynn, thanks.

We've got the plumbers in at the moment (what a nightmare!),  but I will definitely ring you soon.

Ali

[lynngc]

okay ali,
 neil did say  you were busy with the house.

speak to you soon

lynn

[lisa123]

if you want time off, you are going to have to cover your hours, and cleans, people will have paid you well, and its an inconvenience if you keep changing their cleaning.
You may have to hire a casual helper, like a family member or a friend, or employ someone casually.
Thats the best way. Never mess your customers about, there are plenty of other cleaners they can get instead of you.

[domestic bliss]

I work on my own house cleaning 9-3 as i have kids too.  When i take holidays they are unpaid but thats being self employed.
I have no problem getting work infact most of the time i struggle to fit it all in so i have to be careful not to take to much on.
Most of my customers work and trust me with a key and to do the job and lock up after myself.  The odd occasion kids are sick or i am customers are fine as long as i let them know, however all of that is stated in the contract wich they sign and fully understand occasionally that i can't make it.
Go for it!!

[Ali_D]

Hi Domestic Bliss

What kind of contract do you have?  Do you find that a contract puts off some people or do you have a trial period?

Ali

[Jan K]

when i started up 2 yrs ago i worked 9 - 3 no problems, i don't clean myself any more but the girls who work for me work 9 - 3, and sometimes till 5 if required
you won't have any problems, most people want you in after they go tow rok and out before they home

[Ali_D]

Jan

How long did it actually take you to get to the stage where you don't clean anymore?  Was it hard getting the business at the start and what kind of advertising/marketing did you do? (sorry to bombard you with ?s)

I'd love to be hand-offs within two years because I also do the admin for my partner's oven cleaning business.

Ali