Firstly please all read my thread 'Newbie introduction and thanks!' as this is mainly directed at the people on this thread as has been a great source of help to me. I have to say how nice it is to find a MB of people so willing to share their expertise and tips in all the different areas of the cleaning business as a whole
Anyway I would be really grateful if any of you could pm or email me with examples of flyers for Domestic cleaning. Like Jan I plan to prepare and print my own flyers and so far have my logo and will be using quality paper as I personally feel that is important. I took note from Jan that it took months to set up and I am not going to rush into this, however I plan to look at uniforms, cleaning suppliers and preparing a flyer as soon as I can, I have some ideas but it is getting the message across that I will exceed expectation....well thats what I hope anyway
Focusing on quality etc.
I had set out to charge £7.50 based on a friend of a friend charging this in another town, with four cleaners working for her, she started out on her own with a card in a shop window........thanks to reading this thread, I definately will not be making that mistake!
I will be starting out doing all the cleaning to begin with and am happy to work a 30 hour week, which I have just seen from Jan's post will be what I will need to be doing anyway if doing it alone (well once I get some customers that is
probably more like 2 hours a week in the begining
). I don't aim to be mega rich, I just don't want to go back to a stressful career as since being self employed for two years I have had a much better life, even if it is a little stressful moneywise when business is quiet (My previous thread explains what I have been doing).
I noticed on a previous post that £12 is the going rate in Peterborough (35 miles from Bedford but larger). I am 50 miles from London and I aim to go for £12 - £14, although I don't know if this is realistic in Bedford?
I will be calling future competitors to gain knowledge of the area but I am hardworking and want to be paid what I am worth. I am not afraid to inform a client as to why I am worth this rate, however like Jan I can also relate to those feelings of guilt and we have to believe in ourselves. I think that comes from knowing some people pay very little for a cleaner and so quoting at £12 to £15 is likely to come as a shock, however I doubt they get the best service. A friend of mine is never satisfied with her cleaner, yet she keeps her because she is cheap.....you get what you pay for in my opinion
My friends laugh as when I leave a hotel, I tend to clean up, I don't mean getting out my feather duster like but I do clear up putting all the rubbish in the bin, wipe round the sink, even make the bed, he, he. Although saying that I once swept a chalet me and my friend had stayed at before we left and she was moaning saying 'come on thats the cleaners job'
Anyway sorry I did go on a little there and thanks again for all your great advice.......watch this space
Sarah