How to post cleaning or maintenance services and get better clients

You have the trade. You know how to leave an apartment spotless, unclog a toilet, or fix that thing that broke a while ago. The problem is almost never your workmanship: it's that the client can't find you, or they write to you, ask for the price, and disappear. After reviewing hundreds of service ads in Colombia, I'll tell you something clearly: those who get good clients aren't the cheapest, they are the clearest.

A well-made ad does two things at once: it attracts the person who is actually going to hire you and scares away the one who is just “asking around.” This guide is for those who offer cleaning, housekeeping, plumbing, electricity, or repairs and want fewer empty chats and more real jobs. If you want to see real options right now, you can see other services published on Colombia Move — publishing is completely free.

What you need to know first

• Define exactly what your service includes and what it does not include.
• State your coverage area and your real schedule, without making promises you can't keep.
• Clarify how you charge: by the hour, by visit, by job, or with a prior quote.
• Show photos of finished work and have one or two references ready.
• Publish on a stable profile with its own link, not just in a group where it gets lost.

Before publishing: define your service with precision

“I do cleaning” or “I do maintenance” is too broad. If you post like that, everyone writes to you and almost no one is a good fit. Let's get down to earth: is it general hourly cleaning, deep cleaning, office cleaning, or post-construction? Specific plumbing, minor electrical installations, or property repairs? The more specific you are, the better the client you get.

Also, decide three things before writing a single line: what the service includes (and what it doesn't), who provides the supplies or materials, and how far you cover, all before drafting the ad. If a piece of information can change the deal, put it upfront; it's better to lose a curious person in the ad than to lose half an afternoon on a visit that was never going to close. If you want to delve deeper into how to get clients consistently, this guide will help you offer your professional services in Colombia.

A legal note: if you end up working fixed and recurring hours in the same house, that relationship may imply labor and social security obligations in Colombia. This isn't to scare you, nor does it apply to a one-off job, but if you go on a permanent schedule, it is advisable to check the UGPP guide for domestic work or ask an accountant before committing.

How to write the ad to receive better clients

The client worth having doesn't want frills. They want to know what you do, where, when, and how much. A simple way to organize it is to separate what is included, what is not, and how you charge:

Includes	Does not include	How I charge
Kitchen, bathroom, floor, and dusting	Facade or high-altitude washing	By the hour or by the day
I provide basic supplies	Client provides special products	Agreed upon before starting
Minor property repair	Large or structural work	Diagnostic visit + quote

Generic example: adjust each row to your actual trade.

That table is an example; the important thing is that your ad answers only the obvious questions. Honesty first: if you don't do high-altitude work, say so; if deep cleaning takes more time and costs differently, clarify it. When an ad doesn't receive messages, it's almost always because of missing data, not bad luck — I explain this in depth in why your ads aren't receiving messages.

Photos, references, and trust

In services, trust sells more than price. Upload real photos: finished jobs, a before and after, your team, or your organized tools. Avoid generic images from the internet — the client recognizes them and becomes suspicious. If you have one or two references from previous clients, have them ready for when they ask for them.

Set healthy boundaries for contact: a WhatsApp number, a schedule for responding, and a way to book. You don't have to be glued to your phone, but you should respond well when you can. If you want a simple system for that, see how to respond quickly to your clients without living in the chat. And to reinforce the first impression, check how to build trust as a seller in Colombia.

Where to publish your service

There is no single magic channel; each one has its charm. Facebook Marketplace and your neighborhood groups give you quick reach, but the ad gets lost on the wall and you get a lot of informal messages. MercadoLibre is designed more for products than for services. WhatsApp groups for your building or neighborhood provide local trust, although with little reach. And word of mouth works… until the neighbor's referral runs out.

That's why it's also convenient to have a stable profile with its own link that you can share and update. On Colombia Move, you publish for free, with direct contact and bilingual discovery (you are found by Colombians and foreigners), and you get a fixed link to send via WhatsApp. You can see how other ads look in the cleaning category or in the services section, and publish yours in a few steps.

If you also want to respond to specific requests, see how to use I need help and Daily jobs: there, people post what they need and providers can find opportunities by city and category.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How do I charge for a cleaning or maintenance service?

Define if you charge by the hour, by visit, or by job, and state it in the ad. For repairs, a paid diagnostic visit (which you can deduct if they hire you) avoids wasting time. Give ranges only if you can meet them; if it depends on the location or the condition, explain it.

❓ Should I put the price in the ad?

If you have a clear price or range, put it: it filters better and attracts those who can actually pay you. If it depends on the size or the condition, explain what it depends on and offer to quote after seeing photos or making a visit. A “price to be agreed” without context only brings in curious people.

❓ What photos work for a service ad?

Real photos of finished work, a before and after, and of your team or tools. Avoid generic images from the internet: the client notices the difference and trusts less when they see photos that aren't yours.

❓ How do I avoid clients who just waste time?

Be specific in the ad (area, schedule, what it includes, how you charge) and ask two or three basic questions before booking: area or address, what they need, and for when. Whoever doesn't answer that almost never converts.

❓ Where can I publish my service for free in Colombia?

You can use Facebook Marketplace and local groups, word of mouth, and platforms like Colombia Move, where you can post for free, with direct contact and a permanent link you can share via WhatsApp.