I am in the beginning stages of starting up a cleaning service. Thus far, its only been family. Do you usually clean while the person is at home, if not how do you go about getting into the house? In this day and age people are so skeptical (and I don't blame them) is it distressing to suggest having a copy of the key? Maybe a good jumping off point is to start by suggesting that they leave a key somewhere... mailbox,doormat, etc. I used to work for Merry Maids (long time ago) and I can't remember.

Hi, EarThGirl!

The old saying is that "the customer always comes first". If someone wants to hire you, then discussion happens as to when to cleaning will occur. It's best to be as accommodating to the customer as possible while still being polite and negotiating with them as to how the schedule for the cleaning can be mutually accommodating between you and the customer.

Whether you get a key or not, will depend on the customer, and the customer will know if you need to have a key or not. So, it's probably best to leave that issue up to the customer. If it's obvious that you are going to be needing a key, and the customer is overlooking that point, that is when you can bring it up.

The important thing to remember is that you have secured some kind of employment that you can build upon in the future.

People clean when people are home and when they aren't. It all depends on the needs and desires of the customer.

There's a ton of information available on this site about starting, operating, maintaining, marketing and advertising a cleaning service of just about any kind.

If you search for the two words, Clough, Cleaning via using the search function at the top of this page, then you will find a lot of links that you can click on to find helpful information for you.

If you would like more information about customer relations, marketing and advertising for your cleaning service, please let me know. I have a number of small businesses that I run. Most of my business comes from the free advertising that I've placed on the Internet. This is something that you could do too!

I can help you in many regards. If there is something that you need to know that I'm not quite sure about, then I know just the right people to bring onto this thread to assist in answering the question.

I do wish you well in your new business venture!

Thanks!