[maclock cleaning]

hi all

we have quite a large number of clients, most of which are domestic clients.

recently they have been going away on their holidays for one or two weeks (sometimes longer!!) and therefore we have not been needed.  which means we have not been getting paid! 

most of them have been very apologetic about not needing us and as most of you will know when you are self-emplyed and there is little or no work that means little or no money!

my question is....do we have to just grin and bear it when they go away then start again when they come back? or should we ask for some sort of money from them, say 50% of what they would be paying so they can carry on with our services once they get back?

the holiday season has not even started yet!!

 

[texas girl]

I have a small janitorial and housecleaning service.  My main business is window cleaning, but the other 2 areas come in handy.

I know exactly what you mean about the last minute cancel and losing the payment for that clean.

The only fair thing that I can think of is to charge an initial clean fee when they return and you in essence start over or at the minimum have a bit more time involved in the return clean.

In addition I hear you when you say that their time slot is reserved and when that slot comes and goes with no monetary reward yet it still must be saved it is a loss for you.

You may want to consider what policy would be the best.

I have heard some contractors say that when their clients leave for vacation they do a "deep" clean.

Extra things that normally would not get done. (Refrigerator/oven clean); ceiling fans; carpet /floor scrub, hard to reach areas, etc.

I think you should consider all these things and adopt some options so your income will remain steady. Surely your customers will agree to a policy you adopt.

Hugs,
Texas girl

[dustycorner]

Hi.

Sound similar to what childminder experiences in the summer hols, most charge the parents 50% of normal rates to hold the childs place. hope this analogy helps

Cheers Mark.

[Unique]

I'm not sure on this one.  i have the same problem plus bank holidays. 

Not only does it effect the business but the cleaners wage as well.

I have thought about paying hol pay and explaining to the clients that the rate is based on 52wks of the year.  To keep your regular cleaner which most people want, this is what it will take.

If they agree? Who knows,  I let you know

Sharon

[maclock cleaning]

hi all

thanks for the replys.

they were good ideas which i think we will be trying in the future!!

[maggie67]

Hi there

Another suggestion. I try to encourage my clients to book a spring clean while they are holidaying (although it is not often in the spring). We will wash down paintwork to windows and door, emulsioned walls, oven interiors, kitchen cupboard interiors etc., This usually equates to the cost of a fortnights cleaning or more

In regards to bank holidays our clients are happy for us to we carry out our clean the day before or after.

Regards

Maggie

[Jan K]

Hi guys!

I must admit this one is a killer. I have had 3 Clients this week cancel their cleans at last minute due to holidays/visits to hospital! What can you do other than the above suggestions!. The deep clean one is a good idea, but I can't see any of my Clients wanting to pay even a fraction of their fee for no service at all.

[maclock cleaning]

hi all

we put some of your suggestions to our clients and told them there were various things we could give a thorough clean to like ovens, fridges etc while they were on holiday.

To tell you the truth most of them thought it was a brilliant idea doing jobs like that so we could resume to our normal work once they get back....and i think they thought we were the ones helping them out by suggesting it !

so hopefully in the future we wont be losing out on too much money if most of them go for that idea so thanks to everyone who suggested it!