[domestic.diva]

I have been asked to do some domestic cleaning and wondering how to set prices (apart from the obvious calling the competition).

I guess I am thinking at the moment it is me on my own covering my costs but what do I do if I take someone on? I woudl need to factor in their wage as well as my cut to cover costs and hopefully make a profit.

I am about to embark on Business Link coaching and advice but nothing like chatting to those that have been through it!

Also, do you supply the cleaning products or do you use the clients?

Cleaning  Insurance - Been offered a basic quote around £65.00 for domestic cleaning in poeple's homes - not sure if this includes ironing.  Does anyone know a company that covers me taking other people's ironing.

Risk Assessments - do you do one for each new clients home?

Final question, as I used to live in Australia if I used my own electrical equipment in people's homes, such as a vaccum cleaner, does this need to be green tagged and tested as it did there? I assume if I use my clients, this does not have to happen.

Any advice is most welcome.

Yours
The confused domestic diva lady!  :-/

[Len Gribble]

Diva

No matter what field you are in, you are contracted to perform a task so all the HSE regs come into place be it a one-person band or you employ staff.

If one uses the customers cleaning agents you will need data sheets on products, not that you will get one from Tesco’s own brand, regarding customers equipment I would use my own and have it pat tested and documented.

There are more qualified people in this field than I but I would say domestic = commercial no difference.

Risk assessment I would also look at the flip side of this what is breakable and it worth if you know.

Good luck in you venture, just make sure you x the t’s and dot the I’s as there is always a croc to bite you

Len

[domestic.diva]

Diva

No matter what field you are in, you are contracted to perform a task so all the HSE regs come into place be it a one-person band or you employ staff.

If one uses the customers cleaning agents you will need data sheets on products, not that you will get one from Tesco’s own brand, regarding customers equipment I would use my own and have it pat tested and documented.

There are more qualified people in this field than I but I would say domestic = commercial no difference.

Risk assessment I would also look at the flip side of this what is breakable and it worth if you know.

Good luck in you venture, just make sure you x the t’s and dot the I’s as there is always a croc to bite you

Len

Thanks Len, I take it the HSE would give me pointers in this direction.  As for Data Sheets - the maufacturers, are they obliged to give you the information?

Pat testing? I assume this is done by a specialist? What would they be listed under in the yellow pages? As I mentioned we tagged and tested in Oz, so a little green on that one.

Advice is appreciated.

DD  

[Len Gribble]

Data sheet are supplied by seller from where you get your cleaning agents, they have to supply automatically, but they don't so you need to ask them, we are not talking about the likes of Tesco's here but if push come to shove they would have to also.

By the way if you leave any agent on site they must have the data sheets

Pat testing this is a bit of strange one; any competent person can test a machine using the correct equipment, I would go for one who has been trained by the supplier and has a certificate to that effect, so check!

HSE are defiantly not pointers.

Hope this is some help.

Len

[domestic.diva]

Len

I really appreciate your guidence.

Best regards

DD