Need some more advice

[tcmb04]

I seem to be having problems with getting more jobs. Seem be getting the ones that are cheating me. Example this one i cleaned last weekend i quoted her a price and she compared my price to another company and i eventually went down $5.00 because she had cut back on doing 1 bedroom and bathroom and when got there she had me doing like a deep clean and when i told her i was done she said still have plenty more to do She had wanted once a month cleans i had to suggest to her to find someone else because was not going to work out.

Two other places i have cleaned this week was just like doing deep cleans in them. I don't like leaving all the dirt on baseboards, window ledges, etc. beginning to feel i am being taken advantage of. I could not do a walk through on these because of them living out of state and out of town. Any suggestions on how i need to be talking to these people in aresponsile professionally way?

I have been putting out door hangers, hanging flyers, and cards. I am still having hard time presenting myself in office cleaning where i want to be. Need them before summer is over because of the seasonal work out here.

Tina

[Pages Personal Cleaning]

Hi Tina
When I first speak to a potential client I let them know that we charge more for the initial cleaning because we give the home a thorough cleaning (baseboards,etc to get it good and clean. We charge 125.00 to 150.00 for the initial and I let them know this upfront. Then I let them know what is involved in the maintenance cleanings. Just make sure when you talk to them the first time that you let them know what is done on the initial visit and what is done on the maintenance cleanings and what you charge for each. Also you can make 2 forms on your computer stating the tasks that are performed on the initial and tasks that are performed on maintenance cleanings. There will always be those clients that try to take advantage.
Patti

[gailm]

Patti's right - when I started out I went through the same type of people.

You will see a big difference in the types of jobs you get when you use professional business forms that state your rate and what the service includes. It's on paper, that means you don't negotiate on price - ever!

When it's not on paper, people see you as a non-professional just making part-time money. They also think you will be grateful to get whatever they pay you!

Stick to your guns and soon you won't have time for those cheap clients you don't want anyway. You'll be too busy with real paying clients the universe is sending you because you opened up to the idea of getting paid what you're worth.


Gail

[ultimatemaidsvc]

My first time cleaning fee is 150.00..

When I get a call, or Email from someone wanting a quote
I tell them our first time fee is 150.00, and that I'll email them a list of what we will clean on the first visit, Then I also email our Ins. Lic. Bond, and a client info sheet, That they can fill out, and leave for me on their first scheduled appointment....

I also tell them if they use our service again, Then they get the discounted fee, which is
75.00-95.00....Depending on the size of their home, How dirty the home is, and how often we are to service their home..It works great, When you can back up what u tell a client..They love to see it on paper..GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE WITH QUOTES...

Do u have a list of items u clean? Do u use a client info sheet?

[tcmb04]

ultimatemaidsvc,

Do you stay at the same price for 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms? I like your idea i never have used anything like that yet. I usually just tell them they get a thorough clean the first visit and i tell them the things i do in the first visit and then they say i don't need all that and goes from there and never get a call back. I will start using your ideas I like them.

Thanks

[ultimatemaidsvc]

Yes..All my first time cleans are 150.00..

There are people who say, That is high..
They can just go find another cleaner, Because we are good at what we do,
and anything less than 150.00 is not acceptable to me...

When I first stated giving quotes I was NOT charging that first time fee..
I had to learn to get what I was worth...There are times I'll make the exception,
But not too often..I need to make money, So I can grow, and afford to pay for
good help..I still find myself douting the quotes I give, But there are people
who are willing to pay for good cleaners...You have to weed out the good/ bad clients...

When I first started...BOY I'd take anything I could get...If someone said I was too high,
Then I'd lower it..I think it takes decipline , and experience to know how to deal with different types of clients, But it'll all come eventualy...Just know you are worth the asking price..
We have to make a profit or we will fail at this business...

Will you please tell me what all u
clean on your first visit?
I'll send you my list, That I email to my clients...

I'm also sending my client info sheet....

Use as you see fit...If you want

[tcmb04]

I clean just like i am doing a deep cleaning on first visit. I am just starting to discipline myself as you say to get what i am worth by charging more for first cleans.

Have been working on doing a folder up with all of information on what i do for regular/deep cleans/move ins/outs, etc.

any input is always appreciated. Think i am starting to become more confident now. Business out here has slowed too far done for me right now so i am working on new flyers and certificates maybe it will help with the competitors in my area.

Tina

[Pages Personal Cleaning]

I agree with ultimatemaid. When I first started out years ago I didn't charge for the initial clean. Those cleans often take so long because no one has given the home a good cleaning in quite some time. You have to charge for that time. If you run into someone who wants a thorough initial clean for maintenance cleaning rates, you don't need these kind of clients.
Patti

[2Sisterz Janitorial]

Ultimatemaidsvc, would u care to email that to me also?

Thanks, Linda

[jdinstl]

ultimatemaid, I would be interested as well -- if you wouldn't mind. I'm just starting out, and still in a lot of research mode. When I do get rolling, I realize I'm going to have to compromise in some areas of policy in order to secure an initial customer base. But I get a strong indication that the initial deep cleaning appropriately priced is a must. It appears to me to establish a number of things.

1) The site is brought to your standard. This is a have-to-have for I'm thinking subsequent cleanings are maintenance of this deepclean at the very least -- and a building point for further work. In either case, establishing the baseline is clearly critical.

2) It establishes the baseline relationship with the customer. Expectations are defined and set. Tolerances established and policy defined -- both sides of the equation. Professionally, nicely -- yet clearly.

Expecting someone to clean when they have pneumonia? Now that's a real beauty. Be thankful you weren't pregnant. You might get 15 minutes to get out to your car, self-deliver the infant, then return to your duties. She didn't happen to work for an HMO or Managed Care Provider, did she? Sounds like the type...

Cheers,

John

[gideon]

Hello, ultimate maid.... can I ask you to please email me also your list of items to clean and client info sheet?

It will greatly help me too. I will appreciate it very much.

Melody

[Mandy's Mer-Maid Cleaning]

Ultimate Maid i am new in the business and can use all the information you can send me, my e-mail address is [e-mail]

thank you

Armando

[gay]

ultimate maid i am also new to the business would you also email me your list of items to clean and client info sheet, hope you don't mind. thank you so much. [e-mail]