Has anyone actually HAD the “I can’t be your sitter unless you clean your house” conversation?
So I went thru the archives here and the popular response to “What do I do if a client’s home is too gross to stay at?” is apparently “Lie and say you’re not available. Don’t give a reason.” I’ve done that before and each time it feels pointless that neither I nor the client is getting what they want. I keep wondering if the client might have been amenable to compromise.
I had a recent client (I stayed one weekend) whose place isn’t THAT bad—it could easily be improved enough for me to continue. I myself hate housework but can only afford someone to clean my entire place once a month. If my client—a young lawyer who has money to spare and a very busy schedule—was amenable, I think an arrangement like that would be enough to fight the general layer of filth that I object to. She seems to have had trouble finding someone (which, yeah, red flag) so she might be open to suggestions. I realize I can’t change anyone, I (definitely) realize she might take offense, it just seems ridiculous to not at least give a person a chance to respond.
So I was just wondering if anyone HAS tried to politely talk to a client about their housekeeping and how it’s gone for them. Has anyone succeeded? Has anyone lived to regret it? I seek data. Thanks.