Does anyone clean houses for extra $$$$?

[mommyto5]

I have been babysitting since the beginning of summer for extra money and am just watching one baby now because school is back in. I have been thinking about cleaning some houses here and there for some extra money when my husband is home. My sil teaches on Thursday nights and she is single and works a lot of hours during the days too. She said she might be interested in me doing it on Thursday nights when she is teaching. (the baby would be gone then and my kids would be settled in ) I was just curious how people charge for this and what all they do. Thanks for any responses.

[dolphin]

It sounds like a good idea. I don't clean houses for a living or for extra money but am thinking of getting into it. From what I have seen here in my hometown, house cleaners are needed badly. I'm going to be checking into it also. Just hoping that my body will hold up to the hard work. lol

I do know that here they charge $5.00 each to clean a ceiling fan! Practically anything above your head (taller than you) is extra to clean. My boss pays $50.00 every two weeks to have her house cleaned. She has 3 bedrooms (two are not used) and two bathrooms, large living room and kitchen. It takes the girl about 3 to 4 hours at the most.

The cleaner will not clean or dust things that are in hutches or display cabinets as these are ususally personal memorabilia (sometimes very expensive) and will not be responsible for breakage. It is something you would have to negotiate with the homeowner.

The housecleaner supplies her own cleaning agents, rags, vacumn cleaner.

You will need to be ready to say what you will charge and make sure you have covered your expenses and your time. You don't want to get locked in at a price that later you feel is just not worth it.

I know there is at least one person on this board that cleans homes for extra money. I would sure like to get some tips from her also.

In the meantime, do some more research. If you like to clean I bet you would enjoy it better than having to stay at home and babysit. I know I would.

[Jenlee]

Around here, they charge by the room. That appealed to me because my bedrooms are usually offlimits.

I think the kitchen and great room were $10, and each other room was $5. So, a standard 3 bed/2 bath house would run about $45 w/o a dining room and $50 with - if you had the entire house done.

[debbiepete]

I do, I have 2 house I do every other week, Its very easy good money. And it gets me out of the house.

[mommyto5]

Debbiepete..I would love to get some information from you like what you charge and what you will and will not do. I was just curious and trying to get an idea. I know that different areas probably charge different rates. Do you do laundry and dishes and stuff like that? Or is it strictly vacuuming, dusting and the bathroom? Thanks, Amy

[~Sherry~]

And how did you come across your clients? Newspaper ads, word of mouth?

[PennyPinchinPam]

I've been thinking about doing this too. I'd be very interested in any advive or tips. Don't you have to be bonded (insured)? What about charges of theft? I would like to get 2 or 3 clients and then keep a waiting list going. With the military people move all the time so I'd have a higher rate of turnover. This is something I really want to look into.

[debbiepete]

Well I found both my houses thru word of mouth. The first house the lady is meticulous, so I really have to be vareful not to forget anything or I will be told next time about it. But the house is very clean and only a husband and wife and a dog live there, so I charge 40.00 it takes me 2 1/2 -3 hours to do.
The 2nd house is a guy that use to work for my hubby. He is living alone now due to divorce, so the house is very easy since he's never home. Its a 3 bedroom 2 bath house but only 1 bed and 1 bath gets used. I get 45.00 and it takes me 2 1/2-3 hours.
I dont change linens or do laundry and both homes supply all the cleaning supplies. all I bring is my rubber gloves.

[dolphin]

Debbie, do you get paid the day you clean? Just wondering. The girl that cleans my bosses house mostly asked for her money that day cause she has 4 children and can use the money.

Pam, I think if you got the jobs through word of mouth, I wouldn't worry about being licensed and bonded but if you are going to put an add in the paper and take on clients that you don't have any connection with, then I think I would do it. A business license here is $100.00. Don't know what it cost to be bonded though.

I had a neighbor who cleans homes and most of her clients are the elderly from her church. She only charged $30.00 to $35.00 a week. She was so fast. I could never clean like she does.

You might also try posting on free bulletin boards at stores and leaving a short ad and your number.

I just haven't made up my mind what I want to do yet. Still getting organized around my house. It is taking me forever but I'm trying to do a lot on my days off and it is looking better.

[PennyPinchinPam]

I've really been checking in to this. I've got a friend who said she love for me to come in to her house. She sees how I keep mine. I told her there wasn't enough she could pay me to keep her house the way I keep mine. I'm thinking of charging $50 a week and I'll go in either once a week when no one is home or either 2-3 days a week for a couple of hours each day. My Dd will be coming with me. I may also have a second client lined up. I think 2 is enough for now and that would be $100 a week. I'll be happy with that. Right now I'm just reseaching all the details so I'm not sure when I'll start. Debbie would you please make a list of everything you do. I'm thinking of just the basics. I don't want to do dishes or laundry.

[debbiepete]

I clean all the bathrooms. tub, toilet sink, floor etc.
Dust the entire house.
Clean kitchen flats surfaces and inside the microwave
Sweep, mop vacumm.
Anything else the customer wants which usualy is nothing major.
They always leave me either cash or a check on the counter.

[PennyPinchinPam]

Thanks Debbie! I'm really excited about this. I'm going to just start out with one house and then maybe do 2. I don't want to over do it. Plus I'll be bringing my Dd along. I've got a friend who will watch her for me if I need her to. Maybe in a couple of weeks I'll get started. I appreciate your help. If there are any other tips you'd like to share please do. This house I'll be doing has 3 full bathrooms, a dining room, kitchen, 2 living areas, stairs, and 4 bedrooms. What would you charge to do what you do now. I don't want to shortchange myself and become resentful.

[debbiepete]

The house I charge 40.00 is a 3 bedroom 2 bath. Its a very clean house so very easy to maintain.
The house I charge 45.00 is also a 3 bedroom 2 bath/garden bath. Its harder to clean, so thats why its more.
Both houses supply everything.
Good luck let me know If I can help in any way!!

[milach]

I used to do this when ds was first born. I'd bring him with me (all he did was sleep). The house I cleaned was huge- 3 BR's, 2 1/2 baths, 2 home offices, a family room, formal living room, dining room it was only 2 people and they used every square inch. The good thing is that they were always out of town for work, so the house was meticulous to begin with.

In the kitchen I cleaned any horizotal surface, any fingerprints/spatters on the cabinets and fridge door. On the rare occasion, I'd put away the stray dirty coffee cup or utensils in the dish washer. I also washed the floors, windexed dog nose prints off the glass sliding patio doors and on the windows next to the front door. It was pretty much the same for the bathroom- and of course I did the tubs, toilets, sinks, mirrors. The rest of the house just got a vaccuum and dusting. If one week, I flew through the house, I'd get the odds and ends like switch plates, baseboards, dusted the chandeliers. I was usually there a good 3 hrs and got paid $50.00 cash- the money was always there waiting for me on the kitchen counter when I arrived. I think it's a good rule of thumb to be paid BEFORE you start cleaning- that way you never get stuck cleaning for 3 hrs and then come to find out they don't have any money for you that week.

One of my friend's mom cleans peoples houses and she told me to never EVER do laundry, dishes, change beds etc- even as a one time favor, becasue then they always expect it and not pay you to do the extra work. Also feel free to refuse to do windows. I think my moms friend does- but she only cleans what's at an arm length and charges about $10.00 per window.

Just make sure before you commit yourself to cleaning anyone's house- go check out the house first and find out exactly what they expect done. You shouldn't have to pick up junk around the house before you start cleaning. Around here- the going rate is about $15.00/hr if the customer supplies their own cleaners and vaccuum and $20-$25/hr if you supply everything.

Hope this helps! Good luck with it- it's definitely easy money if you get the right customers.

Laura

[PennyPinchinPam]

Thank you Laura! That was very helpful.