Housekeeping survey

[madow]

I want to know what does people really think that should be a fare rate per hr to pay for a cleaner that has a license, is bonded and has insurance.

Also that is a legal resident of US and speaks English.

And please keep in mind that a house cleaning is a hard labor job

What kind of add do people care for?

Grocery add

Craig list add

News paper add

On line add

Mail box drop off business card or flyer

Word of mouth

Thank You for responding

I am a hard working woman trying to make a living and wondering where I should, put the energy on.

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[waterworld]

Maria: I don’t know for sure what kind of license or bond you are talking about. I have never heard of a specific license for “housekeeper,” nor have I heard of any bonding requirement. (Maybe I’ve just never hired anyone who had those things.) I do think it’s important to have a general business license and insurance if you are working as an independent contractor. If that’s what you mean, then I think the insurance in particular might increase what you could charge.

As for advertising (and I think it’s abbreviated “ad,” not “add”), I have only ever hired housekeepers based on word of mouth recommendations or recommendations from other people on this forum. I particularly don’t like, or respond to, flyers that people leave on my doorstep. If I wasn’t able to find someone my usual way, I would probably go next to online ads, such as a sponsorship on a blog like this one, or a webpage. I would bet that newspaper ads don’t reach people the way they used to. Craigslist ads for in-home services make me nervous. There’s such a wide variety of people advertising there, you never know what you might be getting.

I don’t necessarily know what a fair rate is — I assume it varies a lot, but I really don’t know. My general idea of fair rates for a good housekeeper is anywhere from $15 to $25 per hour.

I am interested to hear what other people say!

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[Carson]

I would never hire someone from a cold call or ad. I have a cleaner, every other week, maybe 5 hours and $90. I asked several neighbors who they use and who’s opinion I trust. Most said the woman they use has a waiting list for new clients.

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[anonyme]

I agree with waterworld on two key issues: please do not leave flyers on doors or mailboxes, or attach them to utility poles. This really ticks people off, and the item goes straight into the trash. I also think that $15-25 is reasonable, perhaps $15 to start and the higher end as you gain experience and clientele.

Licensing and bonding is a good thing for any occupation that requires access to private property. I don’t think it has to be specific to any and every job title.

Good luck.

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[Smitty]

We pay $100 every two weeks for “roughly” 4-5 hours of work. Word of mouth is your best marketing plan. You just need to get that first couple of clients, so maybe Craigslist to start.

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[ellenater]

Maria,

I agree with everything that has been said here, and I would add that it might be a good idea to come out with some kind of coupon for new customers; maybe offer a buy one get one free deal or 2 hours free cleaning. You could get cheap add space in lieu of flyering or you could coupons. I would be more willing to try someone new with a deal.

It might help to use greener products. I would, personally, be more likely to use someone who relies on green products.

Good luck!!

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[wundrgrrrl]

I always look at the bulletin boards in the local bakery, cafe, neighborhood joint, etc., which often have cards/pull off tabs for services.

I’m drawn to businesses located in West Seattle, and of course insurance and bond is important too. An introductory offer sounds like a great idea as well.

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[madow]

Thank You, very much for all the comments and ideas it really helps to know what people think.

I have moved to this area for 11 months now and instead of trying different ways to get to people me, decide to focus in just one way to advertise. If, I make the investment better do it in a way that it will have more results.

Do in this was a very good way to help me understand the actual dynamic of the whole thing.

As a fare rate people has a good idea of a realistic cost for a service like the one I provide.

I really appreciate all the comments.

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[thansen]

Maria – Please post your email address or phone number.

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[sarelly]

Hi Maria, I pretty much agree with what others have said here, but I wanted to mention I think it’s important to establish a comfortable working relationship with clients, and reassure them. People want someone in their house they can trust, who understands their routines. I don’t think there is a job much more intimate than being a housekeeper. You end up knowing A LOT about who those people are, their physical health, their habits, interests, fears, relationship and family issues, etc. and if they’re home when you’re working, they’re also seeing you grunting and sweating and crawling around. Everyone pretends not to, but everyone sees. Aside from worrying about whether the housekeeper is going to steal, slack off on the job, or break their stuff (and you can’t take any of that personally cuz it’s natural for them to feel that way) it’s important to convey, probably more in how you act than in what you say, that you will protect their privacy, safety, comfort, and emotional space. It’s way different cleaning for private residential clients than it is through an agency, hotel, or office building, in my experience, because there is no anonymity for anyone, but you still kind of have to pretend there is, and walk this line of being friendly but keeping it professional.

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[madow]

I am been doing this kind of business for a while now but, here it seems harder to get clientele.

I am trying to keep my business local but, since most jobs are passed by word of mouth is harder.

I keep my job professional. I have worked for a very well know house cleaning business and believe me they are not cheap.

I decide to have all the requirement meaning license and all that because I taught will help; ironically I don’t feel it has been the case,

To include my email or phone number here. I, taught was against the rules here. So, I am not sure that is ok.

Any way thank You again for the all comments.

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[JoB]

Marie..

it isn’t ok to post asking for a job..

but when someone requests your info it is ok to post an email address…

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[madow]

JoB,

Thank You

Thansen,

here is my phone

206 574 8944

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[thansen]

JoB – Why isn’t it OK to post a notice looking for work? And is that your opinion or is that the rule?

Finding work when you’re self-employed is very hard, so if someone has the initiative to post their services on a blog, good for them.

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[Diane]

we just went through all this a few days ago

https://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/housekeeperhousecleaner-2

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[JoB]

thansen…

it’s just the rules…

if someone posts looking for …

a housekeeper.. or a rental.. or a massage therapist…

and you happen to be a housekeeper… or have a rental… or be a massage therapist ..

you can answer them.

on the whole it works fine

it wasn’t that long ago that someone posted looking for a housekeeper…

and a rental

and a massage therapist…

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[redblack]

maria: you might ask WSB what they charge for a tile ad, as seen on the right side of the screen. it may be the best local way to attract eyeballs and get your business rolling. after all, you found your way here, right? :)

from the “advertise” link in the banner:

“With 27,000+ homes/businesses visiting at least once weekly – including 9,000+ that visit at least once daily – West Seattle’s only 24/7 news source is also West Seattle’s #1 news source. “

and…

“Want to talk about growing your business with sponsorship exposure on WSB? Call WSB’s business-development director Patrick Sand @ 206/293-6302 or e-mail patrick@wsbsales.com — thank you!”

it can’t hurt to ask what their rates are, anyway.

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[madow]

I think that is the way to go if, I want people to know me here, in West Seattle.

I have to make the investment to see better results.

Increase my credit card valance but, maybe worth it.

Thank you so very much!

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[Sue]

Maria, I always like looking at business websites just to get general information/prices before I call, if possible. You can create a website on one of the free blog sites that is very basic and very easy to do even if you know nothing about websites. Also, if you don’t already have them, business cards would be helpful too – Vistaprint.com has free business cards, if you don’t mind a Vistaprint logo on the back, or a fairly reasonable cost if you’d prefer not to. You could leave them around coffee shops/bulletin boards, etc. (if you’re not already doing this).

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[madow]

Sue,

All those are great ideas. I like the website too. I may ask a friend to do that for me

Coffee shops and bulletin boards has not been an effective way so, I feel like I was just wasting business card and flyers

You all, are so kind to provide all the comments and suggestions every one much appreciated. I believe that you will get wonderful things back to you in return.

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[madow]

redblack,

I did send an email to the person you have had suggested but, he, did not responded and it has been a while. Will call the number next.

I did got a very nice calls because this

Thank you!

And I am adding my email as someone requested

llsdowell@yahoo.com

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[madow]

OK, Talked with Patrick

Thank You!

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[Author]

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