Does Anyone Clean Other People Houses?

i've thought about it, since my skill-set is completely obsolete in this techno-age.
but since i don't even like cleaning my own, it seems less than ideal.
i'd gladly pay you that amount though!
:) khairete
S.

I think its a great so long as you realize- it is physically exhausting work. I don't say this as a homemaker, I say this as person who cleaned other people's houses for my college job and as someone who has hired and fired multiple cleaning services since. In the brief time I have, let me give you my top three things:
No. 1- with the ultimate goal of working for yourself, first, work under an established co. to learn efficient cleaning techniques and business practices (you may think its cut and dry and you may think you know how to clean, but be open to learning things you never thought of to make you fast and efficient and a better business woman
No.2-- in doing number one, watch out for noncompetion clauses.
No. 3-- figure out what kind of cleaning you will offer- basic (just surfaces, no dishes, laundry) or more of a maid service where you do it all.

and here are a few tid bits I would not have known had I not done this:
don't park in people's driveways
provide all cleaning products and equipment unless otherwise directed
Don't use any harsh cleaning products, bleaches, fragrances or abrasives unless you want to replace peoples sinks, faucets, stones....(look into Shaklee's for abrasion puddy)

I think its a great way to be self employed and work part time. I would never want to clean full time, I'd be pooped! I say go for it.

ETA; I was always treated well, but I can tell you that people's attitudes changed when they realized it wan't my life's work, but my earn extra money in college work. It probably is true you won't get a lot of respect, but in my experience, its not just rich people who hire housekeepers, its busy people- and busy people leave you a key and are not there anyways.

I helped a friend clean a few days when our kids were in high school and she built it up from scratch herself and employed only one other person, I was filling in for that person. She got about 5 houses or so a day and made a lot of money. She took her own vacuum, and mopped the kitchen, cleaned bathrooms, dusted and that was it for the main price. Other things, such as I helped clean blinds one day, was extra and the only thing done that day. She won't touch a house for less than $75 no matter the size and of course it goes up from there. She did an amazing job though. It was hard work but like you say it appeals to you. Start early and if you get keys you can be in and out quickly and home when the kids are as that is what this friend did. You could get quite a bit in one day if you do many houses.

I suggest you go to work for a cleaning agency and see how you will like the work. No point in delving into your own business, with all the cost involved (insurance, taxes, etc...) without knowing what it will actually be like. I've done it on my own but never as a regular gig. I liked it, but it was under the table and they were friends, it sounds like you want something more.

My "old" mom has a house keeper that helps out. She cleans my moms floors, blinds, bathtubs, toilets, changes the sheets on her bed, vacuums and mops.. she pays her a 100 bucks a month and she actually comes about 3 times a month on average.
Main thing is you have to be trustworthy.... people dont want to worry about being robbed.
My mom calls me often and thinks the housekeeper has taken something.... so you have to be prepared for that.
You need to be bondable.

I cleaned houses when I was in college. It was the best job! The people loved me, I basically set my own hours (while they were at work) and I earned WAY more than if I were working at a different job. Back then, I earned $10-15 an hour.

I learned a lot from a friend who had already cleand for about 25 years. First of all - if they people look/act like they can't afford it, it's probably not going to be your favorite because they tend to resent paying you - even though they hired you. Next - go through the house with them and figure out what they want room to room (now, when I hire a cleaner for a business, I have a checklist that we go over together and I have them keep). Next, charge by the job, not by the hour. You will have good days and bad days as far as speed. The going rate in my smaller town is about $20/hr for a quality cleaning person. So, guess what it will take you, multiply and tell them that is your first estimate, but that you want a trial period (you may find it takes you 2 hours more or 2 hours less than you thought and you want to be good and Fair). Next, bring your own rags and take them with you - a) you will have good clean rags that you like and b) your people won't have to deal with it. If you find you have several homes with big cluncky vac's or vac's that don't work well - ask if they are considering buying a new one - if not, maybe you should get one you love and take it with you (I did because everyone had a stinking kirby! I bought a panasonic with attachments on board and cut my backache and time down tremendously - vac'ing blinds and baseboards makes things go well! Next - I cleaned everything! I even dragged a trash sack around with me and emptied all the trashcans in the house.

Try to find pet free homes (less to clean) and even homes with older kids. They will be easier than pets and young kids (more toys everywhere).

House cleaning can be worth way more than what you listed. I would start by asking around. If you know someone who cleans, they usually have long wait lists, maybe they will give you a few. Once you get some really good clients, mention to them that you are looking for more. Remember, you're in charge of your job and you can tell people it isn't working out too.

Christmas was always the best, I could not believe how generous people were! I have maintained very friendly relationships with nearly everyone I cleaned for in college.

It's easier to clean someone else's house that it is your own. They pick up the clutter, you clean. At home, you have to do both and the clutter is what slows you down (or consumes you!!)!!

If it appeals to you, I think you will do well!

I cleaned houses during graduate school. I loved being able to set my own schedule. I didn't charge that much, about 20-25 an hour, or 60-90 a house depending on size. I'd just do a house a day, and I got all my houses by word of mouth. It was great.

I enjoy cleaning, as I do my best thinking while doing physical activity, so it really was a perfect job for me. I supplied a vacuum (a good kenmore canister with tons of attachments), and I brought my own paper towel, but I usually just used their cleaning supplies.

I did a much better job than any service, as I deep cleaned the house, doing different rooms each time I came, so the house was always amazingly clean. I even washed the blinds in one house because they had so much dirt on them you couldn't get the dust off. She did give me a bonus for that.

I would only do it if you enjoy cleaning and are a good cleaner.

I don't know anyone that gets more than $60 for about 4-5 hours of work. If you do 2 houses per day that might be a nice income but a lot of people are out of work and simply are going without stuff just to meet their bills each month. If you get a couple of people to let you do this then start doing them and keep trying to build a business. It can work but it may take years to get more than just a couple per week.

it is hard work , another idea that I had passed around is a merchandiser. Revlon, Am Greetings, Hallmark, Lays Chips, etc... all are venders and you can apply on website and be a part time merchandiser. It is okay money if you have many stores you go to to stock the product. Self employeed kinda, your own hours , log on a computer, check if inventory is in on the compt. Was a good job for me for about 3 yrs.

House cleaning can be very lucrative once you have established clients. I know a young lady who started a house cleaning business a couple of years ago and she's doing very well. In fact, just two weeks ago she was telling me that she's got clients on a waiting list!

You have good answers here. Talkstotrees has a good idea - to work for a cleaning agency and see how you like it. And like grandmaT said you have to be trustworthy, not only because people have to trust you won't rob but also that you'll get there when you say you will every time and do the same quality work every time. They also have to feel comfortable with you and how you go about it and where you put things and not touching what they don't want you to touch. You kind of have to build a repore (sp) and a reputation.

You really have to like the work and okay being a servant because this is how you'll be viewed, no matter how nice they may be. People that have maids or house cleaners can't help but see them as the help, even when they arent rich. I've seen it too many times. Not only from my own experience but others. I have four friends that do this kind of work and through the years I've watch all but one come to resent it because of the way they're treated even though the people they work for were nice (except one) it was just the feeling of it more than anything and the way they were talked at instead to. The one that didn't become resentful was the type that just laughed and would always say, 'dirt is my business.'

Long ago my sister and I had a business doing houses but we didn't like the way people treated us. Then we did a cleaning business for businesses in the small town we lived in, we worked at the newspaper, car dealer things like that. Man it was hard work. We did it for a few years and it was nice in the sense that we were by ourselves and did it as we pleased with no one hanging over us. But it was at night and after a while it was time to change things in our lives. My brother took it over from us.

Whatever you decide the very best in every way to you and I hope you're successful.

I do not enjoy cleaning my own home so I would not look to do it as a business. With that being said, I do have a girlfriend who has built her own business doing it and has been very successful over the past 20+ years. If there are any specific questions you'd like me to ask her, PM me and I will see if I can get you some answers.

This has never been my business, but I have hired several over the years. Here are my two cents:
- Get the client's perspective first. The best cleaning lady I ever had asked me "Do you want me to clean everything every time or just what's dirty?" Although this seems like a simple question,she was our regular for years whereas I only hired the anal-retentive neat-freak cleaner one time. We have three kids, so the first window had fingerprints again before she even finished the last window in the room ;)
- If you're efficient, you can charge by the hour. People will pay for hard work.
- I recommend asking clients to provide their own consumable cleaning products (building this into your pricing). This way, you won't be accused of damaging a surface because of the product you chose. Of course, if they make a choice that you know is bad, it's OK to suggest an alternative.o
- Don't insist that you clean the same each time. Before kids, what worked best for us was a bi-weekly schedule with the bathrooms and kitchen getting a clean every time. The other rooms were on a rotating schedule, since many got more limited use. I would then have a list of any unusuals for the week (think, wipe out the silverware and other drawers, vaccum under the couch cushions, clean inside medicine cabinet, or other things that needed infrequent cleans) if she had time.
- If you are cleaning while someone is home, save the chit-chat for the end (unless the homeowner engages you in conversation). It definitely gives the impression that you there for the work first. We had someone who was a hard-worker, but she was really a talker. I felt like I had to find somewhere in the house to hide to get her to get down to business (she only charged for her hands-on time, but I had more important things to do with two babies who needed loads of care).
- If the homeowners are not going to de-clutter before your arrival, ask what they want you to do with everything. It takes a lot of time to put everyting away, but if they're paying you by the hour...
I guess my big question is whether you have potential clients in mind. I always preferred to rely on word of mouth rather than an agent, but that often made it hard to find someone. If that's the case in your area, then start with one or two clients that you trust to see if it's a good fit for you. Best of luck~