Pricing opinions

[titch]

I need a bit of help with business planning.

So imagine you have an elderly reative who lives alone, too far for you to pop over and help. You are concerned that theyre struggling to keep on top of everything and you hear about this service:

Weekly; basic clean, ironing, washing up and putting bins out
Fortnightly; mow lawns, clean outside windows, sweep path
Monthly; deep clean incl, wiping skirtings, handles, switches, clean inside windows and mirrors

how much on a monthly direct debit would you expect to be quoted for this? Do you think this would help your relative to remain independent for longer? There would also be changing lightbulbs etc.. as and when these things pop up.

What do people think in general?

 

[titch]

should a full on laundry service be included?

 

[Rowesb]

I paid £8 an hour for my cleaner.....
Is there no end to your ideas?????????????????

 

[titch]

haha! sort of an opportunity came up so Im looking into the profit margins!

Does 175 per month sound too expensive? considering is mowing lawns, window cleaning, ironing and full on cleaning and washing up. its about 17 hours work per month

 

[Me, My Girls & I]

I'd say about £8-10 an hour, if you could estimate on hours! It would defo help keep older relatives at home longe tho! Although you'd have to be careful you didn't become relied on too much, ive seen first hand how quickly "light duties" can change xx

 

[titch]

yes well its not for me to do the actual dirty work a girl I know is doing a bit of cleaning and wants to work more, too frightened to set up a business. And OH is going to set up the gardening/handyman thing anyway so I thought about how it would be advertised etc... she said she'd rather take minimum wage that be self employed add a window cleaner subcontracted into the mix and youve got a full package to keep a household running. I did wonder about a service wash option too, just use a local laundrette and negotiate a rate with the laundrette so I profit the discount. The cleaner could pick up and drop off the clothes, she'd need me to give her a lift anyway.

 

[Rowesb]

Could you may be split it into sections say weekly cleaning, odd jobs/gardening, deep clean? I know my grandmother is probably more like to pick up on part of that service, big clean/gardening but rather try and keep up to the weekly clean herself iykwim x

 

[titch]

great minds think alike, Ive just done that

Housekeeper personalised package
Weekly - basic clean, 1 deeper clean per month
Optional weekly extras;
Lawn mowing
Changing bedding and towels
Service wash of clothes (1 bag)
Ironing (1 bag)
Window cleaning
Washing up
Food shop delivered to your door

 

[Little_angel]

When I read your OP I had in mind £180 per month, as I estimated about 18 hours work at £10 per hour.

It depends where you are as you would certainly get more in London, and probably more generally in the south than the north.

Bear in mind that if you employ this girl, you will need to do PAYE and pay ENIC. You will also need to set up an employment contract and ensure that things like health and safety assessments are carried out.

 

[LikeJohnnYoko]

Just a thought that you'd need to CAB check your employees.

 

[titch]

When I read your OP I had in mind £180 per month, as I estimated about 18 hours work at £10 per hour.

It depends where you are as you would certainly get more in London, and probably more generally in the south than the north.

Bear in mind that if you employ this girl, you will need to do PAYE and pay ENIC. You will also need to set up an employment contract and ensure that things like health and safety assessments are carried out.

thanks, I have a council based business mentor so Ill go to her for this type of advice before taking any action. Nowhere near london, Im in wales.

 

[titch]

Just a thought that you'd need to CAB check your employees.

yeah my sister just pointed this out on the phone. Wondering whether she declares herself self employed and sub contracts at an agreed rate the window cleaner wouldnt be an employee, gardener is OH who'll be a partner so I could avoid all the PAYE nightmare by getting her to invoice us every month.

 

[Little_angel]

It's certainly easier if she is self employed and you contract her. Cuts out a lot of the red tape and responsibility for you. But didn't you say she didn't want to be self employed?

 

[titch]

yeah but she is now, but she doesnt see it like that

I think shes freaked out by marketing, pitching to clients, pricing etc....

Maybe if it was just me who she knows saying, right i can give you these jobs and will you agree x price for doing them this week? It might seem okay? I could give her monthly statements so her tax return would be easy.

 

[titch]

she had PND and her LOs gonna be 3 soon, shes in counselling, her confidence has taken such a hit but she's totally capable and I like the idea of supporting her to get more work. Hopefully her confidence will grow from it too.

 

[Little_angel]

I've contracted and the tax return is pretty simple, so is the NIC situation. As long as she is disciplined enough to put the money by for the tax, it's not a problem.

 

[NinjaKitty]

The only thing I'd add to that s a sliding scale of charge for things like the cleaning and gardening depending on the size of the house. It's just I know some cheeky beggars around here that would expect the same rate for a small bungalow even though they rattled around in a huge mansion.