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 skill: it's that the customer can't find you, or they text you, ask the price, and disappear. After reviewing hundreds of service ads in Colombia, I can tell you something clearly: those who get good clients are not the cheapest, they are the clearest.

A well-made ad does two things at once: it attracts the person who will actually hire you and scares off the one who is just “asking.” This guide is for those who offer cleaning, maintenance, plumbing, electrical work, 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 posted on Colombia Move — posting is completely free.

What you need to know first

• Define exactly what your service includes and what it does not include.
• State your actual coverage area and hours, 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 jobs and have one or two references ready.
• Publish in a stable listing with its own link, not just in a group that gets lost.

Before posting: define your service with precision

“I do cleaning” or “I do maintenance” is too broad. If you post like that, everyone will text you and almost no one will be a good fit. Let's get down to earth: is it general hourly cleaning, deep cleaning, office cleaning, post-construction? Specific plumbing, minor electrical installations, property repairs? The more specific you are, the better clients you will 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 detail could change the deal, put it upfront; better to lose a curious person in the ad than to waste 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. It's not to scare you nor does it apply to a one-off job, but if you go on a permanent schedule, it is convenient 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 fluff. They want to know what you do, where, when, and how much. A simple way to organize it is to separate what's included, what's not, and how you charge:

Includes	Does not include	How I charge
Kitchen, bathroom, floor, and dusting	Facade or high-altitude washing	Hourly or per shift
Basic supplies provided by me	Special products provided by the client	Agreed before starting
Minor property repairs	Large or structural work	Diagnostic visit + quote

Generic example: adjust each row to your actual trade.

That table is an example; what matters 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 due to missing information, not bad luck — I explain it in depth in why your ads are not 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 tidy tools. Avoid generic internet images — the client recognizes them and gets suspicious. If you have one or two references from previous clients, have them ready for when they ask.

Set healthy boundaries for contact: a WhatsApp number, a time to respond, and a way to schedule. 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, look at how to respond quickly to your clients without living in the chat. And to reinforce the first impression, check how to generate trust as a seller in Colombia.

Where to publish your service

There is no single magic channel; each 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 services. The WhatsApp groups of the apartment complex 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 is also convenient to have a stable listing with its own link that you can share and update. On Colombia Move, you post 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 post yours in a few steps.

If you also want to respond to specific requests, look at how to use I Need Help and Jobs by the Day: 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 whether 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. Only give ranges if you can stick to them; if it depends on the location or state, 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 state, 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 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 internet images: the client notices the difference and trusts less when they see photos that aren't yours.

❓ How do I avoid clients who only waste time?

Be specific in the ad (area, hours, what it includes, how you charge) and ask two or three basic questions before scheduling: area or address, what they need, and for when. Whoever doesn't answer those almost never closes a deal.

❓ Where can I post 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 fixed link that you can share via WhatsApp.