[charlady]

Hey guys,
I'm looking for some advice.
Been working for my sister-in-law for a couple of years and I now want to start my own business.
She works mostly in the west-end of Glasgow and charges £20-£25 per hour for a basic clean, and from £35 per hour for spring clean etc. There is always two cleaners present at each clean.  She has plenty of work, and doesn't have a problem with her pricing.
I am hoping to focus on Milngavie/Bearsden as this is where I live. I have been out to a few houses to give quotes but when I tell them the cost they run for the hills. My sister-in-law has been with me for the first few, and she did her usual sales pitch.
What do you think is a fair price to charge? I supply my own cleaning equipment & chemicals, and am extremely thorough.
All advice greatly appreciated.

[shelton]

£20-£25 per hour for a basic domestic clean?   

I think I'll move to Glasgow!

[jjames]

I Think They mean £25 per hour for 2 cleaners which would be about £12.50 per hour each so about right i would say

justin

[suffolkclean]

Hi Charlady - Are you talking about one off cleans at £25 pr hr for one person? If so, give your customers the total price, not an hourly rate. 

[charlady]

Hi,
No these are her regular weekly customers. She charges them £20-£25 per hour.
I have said £40 for for two cleaners for 2 hours, and they think its too expensive, or they say I only need you for an hour, so the charge will be £20. I tell them I think they need 2 hours, and they disagree. Don't want to lose business by charging too much.

[suffolkclean]

Are you saying 2 hours in total (1 hr each) = £20 per hour or 2 hours each = 4 hrs £10 per hr

[charlady]

Hi Suffolkclean,
I say the charge is £20 for 1hour or £40 for 2hours (£10 per hour per cleaner).
I agreed on 2 hours to clean a luxury flat - 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, kitchen and large hallway, and a half hours ironing included. It took over an hour just to clean the bathrooms (they were very dirty) whilst the other person hoovered and dusted. When I got to the kitchen I had to just give it a quick wipe. The customer said that she didn't realise I was going to be so thorough, I told her that is how I clean every house. She ended up whittling me down to £35.
Just want to quote them a fair price and get the business to get me started.