Estimating cleaning times

[Catherine Horrocks]

Hi. I’ve very recently just started my own domestic cleaning company and have my first customer. I want to do some more advertising through flyers and postcards, but I could really do with some advice as to how I estimate the number of hours required to clean a new customer’s home when I do the preliminary visit.

My present customer initially had a fixed budget of £25 per week (has now been increased to £30) that I had to work to and I am charging £10 an hour. Three hours sounds like a long time (particularly to a client!!), but I am finding it passes really quickly and despite working my socks off, I usually end up working longer just to get everything done. It’s a large and busy 4 bedroom house and in this time I do all the downstairs and both bathrooms. I didn’t mind at first as I was allowing for any shortcomings I might have being new to the job, even though I have been cleaning my own home for 30 years. Because of this, I never find the time to fit in other jobs like windows that I know need doing.

Before I take on any more clients I need to be more confident giving a quote to do a home. Would you allow on average about an hour for a large kitchen and 20-30 mins per bathroom and 30-60 mins for a lounge depending on floors and furnishing and about 20 mins per bedroom. Presumably you also need to make an allowance for the type of household as well i.e children, pets etc.

Any advice would be most welcome.

 

[Joe Hatton]

hi Catherine, and as this is your first post - welcome to THE forum

You can have 2 houses exactly the same next door to each other, but its whats on the inside that differs and often does. Depending on this, and what the client wants you to do, sets the time.
I have done 4 bed/2 bath homes (with a downstairs loo) in 3 hours, and others in 3 hours.
Its your experience that will set the times, very difficult for anyone on a forum to set a time for you, sure you appreciate that.
Around 20-30 minutes for a bathroom with 3 pieces and lots of tiles, more if there is a separate shower.
Go into a house for the first time and could take longer,but I prepare the client for that by agreeing more time for the first couple weeks.
Kitchens can be a nightmare - I dont figure in oven cleaning, either they do it, or extra time whenn neede. Ovens can eat time.
Windows - not practical to do every window every visit. Do just a couple, so over a 5-6 week period they all get done. Window in kitchen near sink will need cleaning more then others. Watch out for glass paneled doors, and mirrored wardrobe doors.
I dont clean kitchen nor bathroom tiles top to bottom every week, parts of these rooms will need cleaning every week though - splahback behind sinks, behind top burner rings for example.
If you "volunteered" or were asked to clean out fridge/freezer every week, that takes a chunk of time, factor it in.
The times you suggest for various rooms are ok, but rooms vary accord to usage so there is no had and fast rooms.

If a client can only afford £x per visit, and your estimation is you cannot do a whole house, get the priorities from the client and do what you can, in order, to suit the time you have. Guest bedrooms can be left for a few weeks unless used, and then may only need quick dust over.

I would always over estimate when talking to clients, then watch their facial expression when you give the price/time. Then you can talk down on time, by compromising on what gets done. Dont forget to ask for more time in the first couple of weeks until you get on top of job. The client has probably called you after they have got behind with the job, so most times it is catch up - dont be afraid to mention that, most clients will agree with you.

Dont get into the habit of washing their previous evening pots and pans. Some take advantage of you. Fine if they want to pay for it, most want it as a freebie, and you work yourself ragged in the meantime. Dont do it.

To be fair, most clients are good. Some have said "if the childrens rooms are a mess - leave them", others "if kids room is a mess, the floor full of toys, dump them on the bed, and then vac up - kids will have to sort before they get into bed".

I never "volunteered" changing beds - takes a chunk of time again. Some asked, they got the service but at a price.

I used to walk through rooms with the client, and agree verbally what they wanted to be done, then worked out the time/price.

One offs and end of tenancy are a different thing again!

 

[Catherine Horrocks]

Hi Joe. Many thanks for such a detailed reply. I think I have learnt a lot from my first cleaning job and your reply has given me a good indication of what I should be asking and looking for when I do any future quotes. I suppose there is always going to be a bit of guess work involved until you get to know the family and their habits, so it's a good idea to be clear about what expected from the start.

 

[Joe Hatton]

Just read my reply again, there is a few typo errors as I am sure you appreciate, but you got the jist I am sure.