Do you voluntarily raise rates or wait until asked? How often - annually, every two yrs? We have a couple of sitters in our rotation, but one that we use 90% of the time, primarily for date nights about once every 3-4wks. She's been babysitting for us for about 2-1/2yrs. Since it's mainly evenings, the kids are asleep more than half the time she is here. She's never mentioned it, but our cleaning lady asked for an increase, mentioning that other clients had already raised her rates twice. It seriously never occurred to me, but i also didn't realize how quickly the years pass. Thanks in advance!
My husband and I both get annual raises. I know not everyone is as fortunate, but if you can afford it I think it's a good idea. Shows the person you value the job they're doing.
When we had a sitter, we raised the rate after a year because she was just awesome and we wanted to make sure she felt appreciated. We told her we were giving her more because she was so good with the kids.
A friend used to clean houses and rate increases were every year, but this was set by her, not by the client.
I had a cleaning lady that I paid by hour. She raised her rates $5 an hour twice. I replaced her.
I think sitters rates should go up as years go by. I'm actually getting ready to raise my rates. I've been with the same family for almost 4 years. I have not raised them in that time however I have been given paid vacations and paid off and the hours I work went down while still having the same weekly pay. But it's been a long time and hey I'm worth it.
I need to add in here I was not opposed to giving the cleaning lady a raise. but she was doing less work and less hours but making up the difference by charging me more. so off she went.
I consider cleaning people small business owners so expect them to set the rate. Mine have always told me of an annual increase... Occasional babysitters are like independent contractors so I also would expect them to say they are raising rates. But - it can be awkward for them I'm sure so I'd likely give a raise on my own after a year or so but get when the job gets easier, that's not always necessary. With our nannies who are full time, I give the annual raise. They're employees.
When I went back to work when my son was 6 weeks old, I left him with a SAHM in our neighborhood. I asked her what she wanted to be paid and paid that amount. It was a wonderful environment for my son. When I found out that I was seriously underpaying her (by finding out what other people paid for childcare) we gave her a big raise which was in the low range of what others paid. At the start of the next year, we raised her rate again (she did not ask for it) because we appreciated her so much. Then she started keeping another child too and asked for the same amount we were paying her at that time. When we had babysitters, we kept the same rate for a while (because the kids were less work when they were bigger). But we rewarded them occasionally with a thank you card (made by the kids) and a cute gift card to Starbucks or something we knew she would like. That was in addition to their hourly pay.
When we had a nanny, we had raises built in bi-annualy to her contract. It made it easier on my budget to do it more gradually, and she got the money sooner.
Our morning sitter who does 2 hours 5 days a week (max), no, we haven't given her a raise and have had her for 5 years. We talked about it, but she said what she makes is MORE than fair. Plus when she started the agreement was she would get paid only the days she works - we have paid her for every single day whether she works or not, because she deserves it. Plus we always overpay her for date nights.
I really think it comes down to needing good communication, that's all.
i'm such an airhead, i always assume i'll be informed if the rates need to go up. but many small providers like sitters aren't comfortable having that conversation (although they should) so it's nice that you're thinking about it.
i just gave my farrier a raise. he's been coming to do my old mares' feet for a decade and never raised his prices. they're relatively simple, since i don't have them shod, but they're getting increasingly arthritic behind and it's becoming more and more challenging to get those hind feet up to be worked on. so this time around i just tacked on some more to the check and will keep it at that rate until further notice.
i think it would be nice to give your most regular sitter a raise, every year if it's feasible, at least every couple. but kudos to your cleaning lady for being upfront about it!
khairete
S.
Our neighborhood teen babysitters are very polite, and if I ask them how much they charge, they just say "Whatever you want to give me is fine." So for them, I try to keep up with what the going rate is, and pay them accordingly.
Our cleaning is done by someone with her own small business. She has a number of clients and she sets her own rates. If she decides to increase her rates, I assume that she'll tell me.
My daycare provider hands out a rate sheet with the annual contract we sign that includes annual increases.
I have a friend who starts low (in my opinion) for sitters and then gives raises.
It's according to the person's qualifications. I am referring to my handymen as I don't use sitters or cleaners. If the handymen don't speak English and I have a hard time communicating with them, hell no.
A S
Do you not have a contract in place for the services you receive from these people?
Our tutor is reviewed every school year.
Cleaning ladies? Hasn't asked for an increase. The contract we have is in place for 2 years.
Is their service good or great? If it's great and you don't want to lose her services? Sit down and draw up a contract and a new rate you can both agree upon.
good luck!
