What are some of the disadvantages of working the higher end market?

We've discussed the advantages, higher average tickets etc. What are some of the pitfalls and disadvantages of working this segment?

Only thing that comes to mind is.........

You're usually working in very nice pristine homes, where the littlest scuff or mark on the paint sticks out. Which is the advantage to working in lower end and rentals....you can usually beat the hell outa them and it's not noticeable.

That's one of the things that came to mind to me also. You have to be really careful around their stuff cuz its going to cost you more to replace

The fabrics, definitely the fabrics.

You can clean the poly carpet and furniture all day without worry, but on the high-end homes, it isn't so easy. You can run into a piece of furniture with wool, silk, rayon, cotton, etc. all in the same item. Carpets run into transitions with marble, exotic woods, or even fine metals as trim.

Bottom line....far greater risk and care is needed.

Screw that up and you are buying a 7k dollar sofa or 30k to replace a rare marble floor using imported tiles from Italy or some crap.

Dealing with eccentric kooks who demand you remove your shoes before entering their abode. When you explain that your job requires footwear they start deciding if they want you in the house at all. At this point you know that you are not going to do this job for any amount of money, you inform them that you can not do the job and they start backpeddaling- realizing that they will not be getting their carpets cleaned that day and that their bratty spoiled ways have once again back fired in their faces. True story

I know the type, usually Asians, around here.

It's a quick fix, if you slip on shoe covers.

I think a a lot of us have been there Diablo. Some think that they're your boss and that you will be putting up with there sheeet

The floors, I hate the sound of my hoses moving and jumping around the floors and working with the idea that if I scratch or mark that expensive wood I'll be paying for that.
I don't care about the smell and the poor condition of the carpets, I feel more confortable in those empty and nasty places. Almost forgot, the driveway is also a pain in the neck and always I cross my fingers to do not leave a motor oil spot just right there.

Sorry that was me, I don't know computer became crazy here, mucho loco.

If you leak oil, it's probably better you stay working in da 'hood......
That's a big no-no in any driveway really, especially if you're looking to make customers "Fo' life". .. lol

I dont turn them down but also dont specifically market to them.     Is it my preferred job?  definitely not but still do the job just like any other.      

It all depends what were talking about here,   because we have lots of what can be considered "high end" but Im talking about the super rich...   like over 8-10k and larger sq ft house...     those are the ones I dont really enjoy doing.        

But we clean lots of high end 4-5k sq ft homes which I dont really put in the same class..    the difference is one is paying a mortgage and the other could probably buy 10 of their homes cash.    

We do like cleaning for middle class the most because I can relate to the customers more and they tend to be more enjoyable to deal with.    

plus its a numbers game,   there just arent nearly as many super rich people out there..   they are in fact the 1%     so your pricing should reflect affordability for the largest demographic and you will be more successful.

I think we can all agree that this segment is a smaller piece of the pie and you can be really susceptible to a bid drop in revenue when a recession hits.

I got into this biz less than a year before the great recession. I had a couple of cleaners come by and give me quotes and there was one company that was really high priced. I would see his three vehicles all over town. The guy advertised on YP, Adwords, TV he had a big advertising budget. When the recession hit the guy practically disappeared.