Some of you may consider this tacky but...

[C.Ann]

I really, really want to get a job cleaning houses! Years ago I used to clean offices and I actually loved it.. Believe it or not, I especially love it when a place is REALLY dirty and I can see the fruits of my work after I'm done.. Just love to see everything all sparkly and shining..

My friends best friend has been clenaing houses for a number of years now.. She makes $20 an hour (unless they want really heavy cleaning done, which is extra) - makes her own schedule - and picks and chooses her "clients"- etc.. This would work out well for me because of my DH's doctor appts. and such and I could also manipulate the amount of hours I work so as not to go over the amount the VA allows in order for my DH's health benefits to continue..

Even after taxes, I would make a whole lot more than being stuck somewhere at $8 an hour or so..

The question is - how do I get that first client? Newspaper ads are a dime a dozen so I don't see how anything would stand out about the services that I'm offering compared to others..

Any suggestions here?

Thanks!
C.Ann

 

[Kimberle]

You're HIRED!! Can you come to CT?

You don't mind cleaning up cat hair, do you?

 

[jrydberg]

Print up some good looking, informative flyers and distribute them around the area. I did some window washing as a summer job once and had good success with putting flyers in mailboxes. You don't need a large response rate.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Word of mouth, you will be surprised by mentioning this to people you know who may take you up on your offer, or know someone who needs a house cleaner.

We live not far from you (Vermont) and my sister has been cleaning houses getting $25 an hour! She has really nice homes and does a tremendous job.

I think it's a great idea! I know what you mean, there is nothing like a clean, sparkly, smelling good home.

 

[monkeyboy]

Just avoid working for people you know

They may feel uncomfotable about people they know, seeing how they really live

 

[KimR]

I don't understand how anyone would consider that tacky? Good housecleaning help is extremely hard to find around here. Either they do a lousy job, are unreliable, or both. I hate to clean house and I'd be happy to hire you if you lived closer (only you'd have to promise not to post on the DIS how messy my house is)

 

[DoeWDW]

I'd hire you in a minute if you were in PA!!

I'd let your friend know that you're going into business. I'd bet she's got clients who know people who are looking for someone!

 

[taylor1293]

My mom cleans houses/offices. She also charges $20 an hour. She sets her own hours and can accept or decline offers as she wishes.

She started by putting an add in the paper. Not the main newspaper, but a small freebie one. It's worked out really good for her so far.

Unforutately, I didn't inherit her "cleaning genes " and I HATE to clean even my own house! Otherwise I'd do it while my kids are in school for the extra money!

I wish you the best of luck!

Teresa

 

[snoopy]

I love to clean! Should I ever be out of a job, I could clean houses, I'm an expert cleaner. Too bad if anyone else thinks its tacky, I say an honest day's work is just that.

Anyway, does your grocery stores have a free bulletin board? My sister wanted to make a few extra bucks and advertised babysitting services on her grocery store's bulletin board and got more calls than she could handle. Perhaps that is an avenue? Its free so you wouldn't have to pay for advertising.

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by C.Ann
Believe it or not, I especially love it when a place is REALLY dirty and I can see the fruits of my work after I'm done.. Just love to see everything all sparkly and shining..

I believe you because I am the same way!! LOL!! I don't have any advice, but I think it's great you want to do that. Good luck with it!!

 

[mickey4ver]

Will you travel....you'd have a field day at my house....LOL

 

[CEDmom]

My friends and I have talked about doing this if we ever get laid off. I think it's a great idea. Could your DD be of help with this? Do they live in an area with lots of families? If so, ask her to spread the word among close neighbors. How about at church, if you belong to one? Does your DGD go to daycare? If so, see if the director would let you leave some flyers there. You could also try offering an introductory rate to get started with the understanding that it will increase if the client is happy. Good luck. BTW, if you relocate to NJ let me know because I'd hire you.

 

[Beth76]

cafes and coffee shops usually have community bulletin boards, or maybe your church. Our YMCA has one too. I've also seen ads in our community newspaper (not the major city newspaper) and posted around the neighborhood. All it takes is one or two clients and then usually the word spreads.

 

[C.Ann]

Wow! Maybe I should become a "traveling" cleaning lady because everyone on these boards would hire me - LOL..

Anyone interested in me traveling for a one-time DEEP cleaning?

So glad you guys didn't think this was tacky.. I know some folks tend to "look down" on those sorts of jobs..

 

[C.Ann]

One other thing.. I knw all of you are really creative thinkers, so how about a catchy name for my housecleaning business?

And do you know if there is someplace that I can buy blank business cards that I could run through my computer printer?

Thanks all - you've REALLY given me some encouragement here!!

 

[liznboys]

Originally posted by C.Ann
So glad you guys didn't think this was tacky.. I know some folks tend to "look down" on those sorts of jobs..

"Those folks" aren't DISney worthy.

 

[mickey4ver]

Originally posted by C.Ann
Wow! Maybe I should become a "traveling" cleaning lady because everyone on these boards would hire me - LOL..

Anyone interested in me traveling for a one-time DEEP cleaning?

So glad you guys didn't think this was tacky.. I know some folks tend to "look down" on those sorts of jobs..

hey, an honest days work at an honest job...nothing tacky about that...just like G-Men, someone has to do it!!! LOL

 

[Jcricket Fan]

I am proud to say I am a House Cleaner! I did this when I was in college and always kept the possibility of doing this work if I was ever without the type of work I trained for. Well, I'm usually not working at what I trained for so its housecleaning for me.

I was working as a party planner and did a wedding at someones home that was a friend of the family. I cleaned up their home first to get the house ready for the wedding and they were so pleased they asked if I would clean on a regular basis for them. It snowballed from there.

I have never advertised for business. All my customers are word of mouth. If you do a good job people are very happy to recommend you to others. I have never lacked for work and have had to turn work away. I love the freedom of my schedule.

My customers know that they can trust me to keep confidential anything I may know from being in their homes. Several of my customers are related to each other and I have made it clear that I never discuss any of my customers with anyone. They all know that I keep my word and in my opinion you are only as good as your word. I never give anyone reason not to trust me.

I have been cleaning for some of my people for over 9 years and they evidently believe that I will be doing this until I am old and pruned up because most don't even own a vacuum anymore because they know I will be there to do it for them!

If you really clean (some people say they do but they just move the dust around) it is tough work some days but I also love the satisfaction of seeing the job done well and being a neat freak & organizer it just makes me feel great!

Let me know C.Ann if there is anything else I can tell you. Good luck with this!

Colleen

 

[danacara]

MOVE TO NYC. We'd hire you in a second.

 

[MinnieM21]

It doesn't sound tacky at all! I say, if you want to do something..go for it!!