Newbie - help with rates

[tara]

I cannot begin to tell you all how inspiring and informational this board is!!

I am a new (8 weeks) stay-at-home-mom. I currently work part-time (25 hrs/wk) from home doing a brainless, unflexible job that I hate. My MIL and a good friend of mine have cleaned homes for a living while still being able to be "stay-at-home-moms". I'm not looking to build into a full-time business yet, possibly in a few years when my daughter is in school. I just want to do this in order to make a decent income working part-time and having some flexibility.

Anyway... I've been reading A TON on here and member's websites to get ideas on pricing. I live in a suburban area of Kansas City. The average income for 2 working adult families in the area around here is approx. $60-75K. Obviously in a few of the different neighborhoods, the income is much higher - approx. $90K +.

I know the prices will vary once I see the place that I'll be cleaning, but I want to get some approximate prices down to give people. This is what I'm figuring so far:

Base: $30 for kitchen/dining room combo, living room, & 1 bathroom

$10.00 for each addtl. room.

What do you think??
Also...any tips or advice for a newbie is greatly appreciated!

Bi-weekly cleanings - add $20
Monthly cleanings - add $40

[Linda]

I tried pricing by the room and it just did not work for me. Now I have a minimum of $65.00 wkly, $65.00 bi-wkly, $90.00 monthly. My first clean starts at $150.00 for the initial. There have been times I have come down a little on my price. Depends on the circumstances. If it is a really small home I will bring my initial down to $125.00 and I have one lady I charge $50.00 wkly. I am trying to keep it at $65.00 minimum though. Depends on the circumstances.
Anyway, hope this helps.

Linda

[earthlydream]

Hi Linda!

How come you charge $65 minumum then it jumps to $90? I charge $75 for a one bathrm size & up from there depending on size & how often it's cleaned etc.

Some people here in New Haven Ct think $75 for one bathrm is too high!

[Linda]

$65.00 minimum for a weekly and bi-weekly clean and

$90.00 minimum for a monthly clean.

If someone wants me to clean on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for say a one bedroom apt the charge would be $65.00 but if they decided they wanted to clean on a once a month basis rather than a weekly or bi-weekly basis then the charge would be $90.00 of course it could be higher, depends on the shape of the apt.

Hope this helps,
Linda