What should I charge?

[hipchix]

I have a woman who has a 7 bedroom house, 6-1/2 baths, 3 stories......
I quoted her a price of $250 for the initial cleaning....
What should I charge her for a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning?

[Kevin]

$250 seems way low for a inital, is the house in pretty good shape?Any Idea of the square feet?

[sweetnessnow]

Hi Karen:

I agree with Kevin that the estimate you gave is way low, I don't know what the going rate in your area is, but I'll estimate the house is around 6500+ square feet, your initial rate should be $370 give or take!

Your followup visits should be around the $250 range bi-weekly.
Anyone disagree?

[AmofOhio]

I'm with everyone else. Too low!
I would be around $350 for intial.
around $240-250 bi-weekly
around $200-210 weekly

sqft would help a bit.
Any animals,kids,flooring type?

[Kathleen]

I have a house about that size...6700 sq ft 5 bed, 6 bath, combination of carpets, hardwoods and ceramic tile. No pets and 3 boys...also 3 floors... They are not messy people - just a large home...well with lots of toys ..perhaps too many. House is less than 5 years old. I charged $350 for the inital. and $230 Biweekly. I believe I charged just right....happy with my choice..of couse I had help from of a few of the IJSCA members ..I can't forget them.- thanks

[hipchix]

Thanks everyone for your input.....this woman acted like $175 bi-weekly was way too much....I guess she wants a cleaning lady...not a "service." I'm passing on this job, even if she accepts my offer.......I can tell already that she would be way too hard to please.

[sweetnessnow]

Good for you Karen! Alot of times we "underbid" a job in the beginning of our business; but you'll kick yourself for it later!

Use your instincts about this business, they will NEVER steer you wrong!

Good luck...

[Linda]

Need a little advice A lady I clean for from time to time called and asked for a price on cleaning just her main floor. The home is 1700 sq.ft. altogether. She only wants her Living Room, Sitting Room, Kitchen, Dining, Half Bath (sink, toilet), and hallway cleaned. She calls every couple of months. Lots of dust and her kitchen cabinets and kitchen linoleum is always a task, but things are always in its place. Neat & Tidy. Since she is only wanting the main floor cleaned should I stick with a minimum of $125.00 or do you think $100.00 would be fair? I really hate to even charge her that much It always takes 2 hours 2 ppl to do her main floor 5 hours to do an initial on the whole house 2 ppl. Her kitchen and bath are always a task and lots of clutter.

Thanks,
Linda

[kim]

So you basically know how long the job is going to take. Just ask yourself how much do you want to make an hour. 2 people 2 hrs. 120.00 2 people 3 hrs !80.00 I would not give her a break because she only calls you once in a while. Maybe offer her a break if she wants it done on a reg basis. Otherwise stick to your min. at least. I say this because I have one that calls once in a while. I gave her a break , now I regret it every times she calls.

[Linda]

I charged her $90.00 and she tried to get me to do it for $60.00 This lady is a handful sometimes let me tell ya, but a sweetheart at the same time She just started referring me to others. She was hoping I would go ahead and deduct the referrals from her payment. I had to explain the deduction came after the first clean from the new client We are still cleaning for her next month though It shouldnt take that long to clean for her, but always does. Im not complaining though lol. They are nice ppl.

Thanks,
Linda