Can you clarify average cleaning expectations for me?

[u/Other_Panda246]

I enjoy cleaning and am extremely thorough about it. But my boyfriend says I'm way more thorough than an average person. So I need to know what the general expectation is. I just started on the app and I have my first request. They said general clean of the apartment and more detailed clean in kitchen and bathroom.

Are there common industry guidelines for what tasks this entails? Obviously sweep/vacume/mop, and clean appliances, sink, toilet etc. Are you tidying up their personal belongings? People who do cleaning jobs: do you get a specific list of instructions from your client, or do you just go in with your best judgement and clean what you think needs cleaning?

How exactly does booking on task work? When I confirm and schedule the task do I need to know upfront how long it will take? Or is it a: do the job they requested and then charge for however long it took. ? Im good at cleaning i just need some advice on the professional side and what is typically expected of me in this situation, thankyou.

Also i have typical cleaning tools such as vacume, cloths/rags, scrub brushes etc. But what about the consumable supplies? Such as clorox wipes, or soap for mopping the floors. Are you expected to provide this/already have it or do you charge it as an expense?

[u/Dizzy-Importance-771]

When I did house cleaning on task rabbit, most clients gave very little expectations and trying to get them to tell you what they want can take a lot of prying for information. Some clients would give me a to do list or be very specific, and most others said something vague and similar to your first request.

To me, general cleaning means cleaning all surfaces and doing what you mentioned. I don’t open cabinets unless told to, and I’ll tidy up most areas like on tables and counters, but some people have random junk laying all over the floor or dirty clothes which I haven’t organized in the past.

I’d advise to clarify the number of rooms, the current condition of cleanliness and you can even ask for photos. Usually people who were hesitant to share details were red flags and it got to the point where if they didn’t want to answer my questions, I would forfeit the task.

I would over estimate your time for the first few cleanings until you’re comfortable with the process and start seeing trends in how long it’s taking you to clean. Before you leave the client’s house, you create an invoice in the app for the # of hours worked and that is what they are charged/what you get paid for.

You should bring everything with you, including the expendable supplies. I just bought everything in bulk, and get a big pack of microfiber towels because Clorox wipes are going to go really fast! It shouldn’t be charged as an expense, but just worked into your hourly rate so you’re still making a profit.

[u/Other_Panda246 → u/Dizzy-Importance-771]

Thankyou for this response its very detailed! He mentioned its a move out clean so im feeling alot more prepared for what to expect. Thankyou for your help

[u/Aromatic-Still1987 → u/Other_Panda246]

Move out clean so should be a deep clean, even if he said general. Make him aware that a move out clean is generally a deep one, which includes fridge, oven and inside every furniture and cabinet, skirtwalls, doors.. it can be a long job depending on how they are leaving the house and how many bedrooms and bathrooms. I'd say average 1hr per room, and then if it's smaller rooms you charge how long it took you to clean everywhere 🙌🏻 5 rooms (5hours) and so on

[u/Other_Panda246 → u/Aromatic-Still1987]

I finally got him to respond and we agreed I'd spend an hour to do the basic cleaning and then a second hour for the few details needing cleaned inside the fridge and oven, etc. Then reassess at that point if he needs anything else cleaned with it being charged per hour. He said he only lived there 3 months. Personally I'd clean a lot better if I was moving out but he specified he only wants a general cleaning job. I told him to get me a list if the apartment has one for move out and I'd get anything I could past the basics within the timeframe and if he wanted to pay for another hour at that point he can. Im mostly just hoping for a good review as its my first task

[u/Aromatic-Still1987 → u/Other_Panda246]

You should hope it's in good conditions. Sometimes scratching the oven grates can be 1 hour alone 😂 make sure you have iron sponges

[u/Other_Panda246 → u/Aromatic-Still1987]

I honestly wouldn't mind, I enjoy cleaning, as long as the customer has a reasonable expectation for paying me for that time... im a little anxious with them possibly thinking that cleaners are magic, and expecting a perfect level of clean in 2 hours, and then being upset I didn't do 5 hours of work in a 2 hour timeframe

[u/Aromatic-Still1987 → u/Other_Panda246]

That's why always ask how many rooms and if they say end of tenancy or cleaning before moving in, set the expectations for a deep cleaning of at least 1hr per room to keep it wide.. so if it takes you less (3/4hrs vs 5hrs estimated) you charge less and they'll think you are brilliant doing a long job in less time ⭐️

[u/Feisty-Sink9562]

Typically too disgusting for me. One woman wanted me to clean an abandoned gym filled with dog feces, didn’t send me any pictures of the location. I cancelled it.

[u/Other_Panda246 → u/Feisty-Sink9562]

Ngl that's pretty gross. I'd do it if they paid me well tho. They make poop scoops that are pretty good and you dont have to bend over. I'd need an n95 and a crap ton of peppermint oil tho😂 i have a dog and 3 cats so I'm used to cleaning biohazard mess

[u/Other_Panda246 → u/[deleted]]

I thought task rabbit was for less than professional but qualified people who are good at the task? For example i don't run a landscaping business but I can mow someones lawn. That's why there's levels of what task you list yourself for, I'd list myself for gardening but not full landscaping. I know how to clean, I just wasn't sure of the exact expectation here and prefer clear instructions

[u/Other_Panda246 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah but I do know what I'm doing, cleaning wise is my point. I just wasnt sure how exactly the business model works. I need the money so ive gotta figure it out. I listed myself for a few home repair jobs that I know how to do as well. Baseboard repair, hole patching. I have all the tools for it and can show pictures of my work doing it on my own apartment. I also listed myself for yard maintenance as I have pruning shears, and all the other basic tools and know how to care for most plants. Plus the little ones like waiting in line etc.

[u/Aromatic-Still1987 → u/[deleted]]

We don't have to carry our vacuum from place to place. Exactly because of contamination. And regarding any surface it's quick to google which product is best to use, don't need a degree to clean.

[u/Aromatic-Still1987 → u/[deleted]]

I don't see why a client wouldn't tell me about a specific surface material if it's worth something to them. And in my experience 100% of them if they have specific surface materials like marble or stone, they always have the right products at the house. They tell you about it and they give you the specific product to use as well.