When it comes to getting a first professional cleaning, a house’s level of cleanliness and number of rooms count. Many housecleaners charge more for an initial scouring, but is that a good idea?
A typical initial cleaning — getting the house in shape from top to bottom — can cost 30 to 50 percent more than follow up visits. Opinions vary, but several experts weigh in with pros and cons of charging more for a first house cleaning.
It Makes Sense to Charge More if:
Seasoned housekeepers, such as Adina Sweitzer, known as the Rag Mop Maid, believe you should charge more. “There should most definitely be a higher charge for the first-time cleaning,” Sweitzer says.
- The home has not had a professional cleaning in the recent past.
- Multiple, extensive tasks are required, such as moving furniture to dust underneath, scouring kitchen appliances, such as the oven and refrigerator, washing exterior windows and dusting off ceiling fans.
- The home has not been cleaned for some time. Holt suggests asking the client to rate the cleanliness of their home from one to 10, with one being the dirtiest. “Very few people are overly dishonest, and as a general rule of thumb, any client measuring their home below a six absolutely requires an initial deep cleaning,” he says.
- Closet, basement or attic cleaning is required.
- Vertical surfaces such as baseboards, cabinets and trim will be cleaned.
- Any extensive, out-of-the-ordinary tasks, such as cleaning chandeliers or washing rugs is required.
Lisa, founder of the top management blog, Domestic Life Stylist, has been on the receiving end of the practice of charging more, which she feels makes it harder for consumers to afford a professional cleaning service on a regular basis. “Consumers sometimes are simply moving from one cleaning company to the next, in the quest to find a good match,” she says.
Acknowledging that some clients may be turned off by being charged more for this initial go-round, Sweitzer, now retired, came up with a solution. “I always offered a discount on the next visit and following visits and used an ad for one-time cleaning job discount coupons as well.”
Do Not Charge More if:
“In some cases, there is no reason to charge a higher fee for the initial cleaning,” says Ron Holt, CEO and founder of Two Maids & A Mop. Some of those reasons may include:
- The home has been extensively or professionally cleaned within the last one or two months.
- The client is requesting light, surface cleaning instead of deep cleaning.
- The home is small, such as a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
House cleaning jobs are as varied as houses themselves and different regions may have different protocols for first-visit costs as well. When in doubt, it may make sense to visit the home first or have an in-depth phone conversation before establishing a price. Keeping in mind that people may fudge their answers (after all, who wants to admit they haven’t scrubbed the toilet in a month?), asking specific questions about the state and number of each room and the client’s expectations can help you to establish a price that is fair to you and your customer.
Do you charge more for a first-time cleaning? How much more? Share your habits in the comments section below.
Corey Whelan is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn, New York.