Hi there,
I don't normally post, just lurk, but I run a domestic cleaning business and have approx 8 staff cleaning houses for me. I have about half my staff with their own cars who all work approx 20+ hrs per week. Others use public transport, and I clean with one staff member who I drive everywhere. This is ok, and I pay a higher hourly rate for people who have their own cars to prevent having to worry about mileage.
I also pay a lot of attention to their requirements, where they live and how they are going to get to and from jobs. This makes them feel valued, as I want to ensure I know whereabouts they all are and roughly what time they are travelling to and from jobs. If they ever have problems getting to places, I just drive a bit further!
If I had to employ a driver I don't think it would be worth my while to do this to be honest. And I still sometimes wonder with the price of fuel if it is worth me doing it either! I live in a rural area so most of my customers require some kind of travelling, usually by car.
I am lucky enough to have found some great staff over the 2 years I have been doing this, but staffing never remains stable and people always move on in this business. I am finally coming to terms with this an dealing with each mini crisis a lot better now than when I first started out!
It just takes a lot of organisation and planning, but can be done! I do wonder how the bigger franchises make money when they provide 2 cleaners with a car. Another local domestic cleaning business actually gave up just as I started out because it wasn't worth their while providing a van etc, and they charged a lot more than I do.
Just some thoughts anyway.
Lucy
