How to make money as a cleaner in Greece - practical steps

Where paying customers actually come from

People who hire cleaners in Greece come from a handful of predictable places. Neighbours and building residents often need help with regular flat cleaning, stairwell and common-area cleaning, or preparing a place for guests. Workplaces and small offices sometimes outsource occasional cleaning or ask for help after events. Schools, local shops and small cafés may need occasional deep cleans. Online search and marketplaces bring people who do not have local contacts. Word of mouth and recommendations within a building or a workplace are common and repeat business usually follows if you do a reliable job.

• Neighbours and building residents
• Small offices, shops and cafés
• Schools and community centres
• Online search and local task marketplaces
• Word of mouth and repeat clients

How to set a first price and talk about money

Start with a simple, transparent approach. Estimate how long a job will take and add time for travel and preparation. Include the cost of cleaning materials if you supply them or state that materials are extra. Decide whether to offer hourly rates, flat fees per job or a package for regular visits. For an initial price check, look at comparable listings online and ask contacts what they pay for similar services.

When talking money, be clear and confirm details before you start. Tell the client whether your price includes materials and whether you expect a deposit for a first booking. If a client asks for a lower price, explain which tasks will be removed to meet that number. Put agreed price and basic terms in a short message or booking confirmation so both sides have the same expectations.

• Estimate time, travel and materials
• Decide hourly, flat fee or package
• Check local listings for comparable prices
• Confirm price and scope in writing
• Consider a small deposit for first bookings

What the first ten customers usually look like

The first customers usually come from close networks. Expect neighbours, friends of friends, or a landlord who needs help between tenants. Small one-off jobs for relatives or local shops are common. If you list on a marketplace or send a page to people, you may get a few queries from people booking a single cleaning to try your service. These early customers are often forgiving about small hiccups if you communicate and arrive on time.

Treat the first ten as a testing phase. Use them to refine how long tasks take, which supplies you need and how you present your service. Ask each of them for permission to use a photo of your work and a short reference you can share. Keep notes on the actual time spent and any extra costs so you can adjust your pricing for future jobs.

• Mostly neighbours and personal contacts at first
• Small local businesses or one-off deep cleans
• Online leads for single trial bookings
• Good chance to test timing and materials
• Ask for permission to use photos and short references

What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Greece

You should check tax and social insurance obligations before you start taking regular payments. Contact the Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - and ask whether you need to register as a freelancer or sole trader, how to issue receipts or invoices for cleaning services and which records you must keep. Contact EFKA to ask about social insurance contributions and whether you should make personal insurance payments from day one or later.

If you are unsure about local business permissions or municipal rules for offering services in your area, ask your local municipality about any required notifications or permits. If you want personalised tax or legal advice, consult a certified accountant or tax professional and tell them you provide cleaning services so they can advise on registration, allowable expenses and how to report income.

• Ask AADE whether you must register and how to issue receipts or invoices
• Ask EFKA about social insurance contributions
• Check local municipality for permits or notifications
• Consider a meeting with a certified accountant for specific questions

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Common problems are scheduling errors, underestimating how long jobs take, not charging for travel or materials, and accepting payments without proper records. Cancellations without notice can cost you time. Double-booking happens when you take requests through several channels and do not keep a single calendar. Some cleaners also find disputes over the scope of work - what the client expected versus what you agreed to do.

Prevent these issues by using clear confirmations, keeping a single booking calendar, adding a buffer between jobs, and writing a short job note that states the agreed tasks and price. For cash payments, issue a receipt. For card or online payments, keep the transaction record. Track your earnings and expenses from day one so you know whether your pricing covers your time and costs.

How a Websta profile with services and online booking fits in

A Websta profile gives you a single page you can share with potential clients. It can list the services you offer, show photos, display prices you set and include a contact form and online booking. Card payments made by customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, so you receive the money directly. You can send the profile link to neighbours, workplaces or any lead from online search and keep booking information in one place.

Use the profile as a public business card and a booking hub. Keep service descriptions short and honest, upload clear photos of your work or the equipment you use and set availability that matches the hours you can reliably work. A consistent page link helps avoid confusion from messages across different apps.

• A single page you can send to any lead
• List services, prices and photos you control
• Online booking and contact form on the page
• Card payments paid out to your bank account through Stripe

Next steps and realistic expectations

Earning through cleaning takes work and time. Expect a learning curve while you build clients, refine prices and organise records. Start small, keep clear agreements, and check tax and insurance obligations early. If you want help being found, a public profile with clear services and booking helps people book you without long message threads. For specific legal or tax details, contact AADE, EFKA or a certified accountant and explain your cleaning activity.