Updates

Season’s Greetings to our wonderful clients! 🌲

Dustin here—owner of GIST Cleaning—with an important end-of-year update. First and foremost, thank you for another year of trust and collaboration. As a small business, we deeply value our relationships with each of you, and we truly appreciate the opportunity to care for your homes.

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As we head into 2026, I’d like to share three important updates regarding our services.

 

Update #1: Hiring Our First Employee

I’m excited to share that GIST Cleaning will be hiring its first employee in 2026! Some of you may remember that this has been a long-term goal, and I’m happy to say the timing is finally right. Our hope is to have them on board in late January to late February.

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I understand that inviting a new person into your home can feel daunting—especially if you’ve had less-than-ideal experiences in the past. Your comfort and trust are essential to us, and I want to be very clear about how we’ll ensure continuity, quality, and care.

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How we’ll ensure your comfort and satisfaction:

• Personal Training: I will personally train the new employee by shadowing them during their first one or two cleanings at no extra charge. They will also complete a probationary period to ensure quality standards are met.
   

• Home-Specific Notes: Each home already has detailed SOP notes and checklists so your preferences and needs are clearly documented.
   

• Hiring With Care: The hiring process will be thorough, with background checks and a strong emphasis on reliability, professionalism, inclusivity, and care.
   

• Strong Incentives: Our employee will receive a competitive starting wage, full tips, mileage and laundry reimbursement, accrued PTO, merit-based raises, and all necessary supplies—so they are supported and motivated to do excellent work.

 

Why this benefits you:

• Improved Reliability: With more than one cleaner, we can significantly reduce cancellations and provide more consistent service.
   

• Expanded Capacity: Additional hands mean greater flexibility for deep cleans, special projects, and add-on services.
   

• Sustainable Growth: This allows us to serve more clients while maintaining the quality you expect.
   

Making the transition:

Once hired, I plan to transition my current client roster to the new employee. Before this happens, I’ll arrange time for you to meet them and help them get familiar with your home (and pets, if applicable).

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Me as owner/manager: 

Despite my change in role, I will always be the driving force behind this business. I will take over cleanings personally from time to time, subject to availability; and I will always be reachable for feedback on your new cleaner’s performance, and for any other actions necessary to ensure your satisfaction! 

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Personal Note:

On a personal note, since transparency is a core value of my relationships with my clients: there have been a number of major changes and disruptions in my family’s lives this past year - not the least of which was a fire, resulting in the loss of my partner’s small rental property which I helped her run. With a full demolition and reconstruction project to help manage in the upcoming year, as well as shifting physical health circumstances that make it increasingly hard for me to clean full time, it is time for me to step into a more project-focused and management-centric role here at GIST Cleaning.

 

Update #2: Rate Adjustment Effective January 12, 2026

Beginning January 12, 2026, our hourly rate will increase to $37/hour.

I know this is a meaningful increase, and transparency is a core value at GIST, so I want to clearly explain what this looks like and why it’s happening.

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GIST Cleaning has done everything we can to not raise our rates for nearly two years now; however, with the rising costs of gas and the toll of inflation, we have found it necessary to accommodate accordingly. 

 

Easy cost conversion:

• 1.5 hours: $45 → $55.50
   

• 1.75 hours: $52.50 → $64.75
   

• 2 hours: $60 → $74
   

• 2.25 hours: $67.50 → $83.25
   

• 2.5 hours: $75 → $92.50
   

• 2.75 hours: $82.50 → $101.75
   

• 3 hours: $90 → $111

 

How the rate increase is used:

• Employee Pay: Starting wage of $18/hour with room for raises.
   

• Supplies & Benefits: All cleaning supplies provided, along with benefits outlined above.
   

• Payroll & Taxes: Employer tax obligations, payroll processing, and time-tracking software. 

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After these costs, as well as the costs of maintaining our status as a licensed and insured LLC, only a minimal portion of the increase supports my role in training, scheduling, and oversight. My priority remains ensuring employees are supported and that you continue to receive reliable, high-quality service, and I’d like to be able to continue to do so despite the rising fluctuations in our economy. We are so grateful for each of you, and thank you for your understanding. 

 

Update #3: Payment Methods

Beginning once our new employee starts, to streamline payment processing, all clients will need to pay for their services via Venmo, Zelle, or Square. Payments are due within 24 hours of receiving an invoice. 

 

Thank you, as always, for your trust in us to meet your household needs. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always happy to talk. 

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Happy New Year to all of you!

 

Warmly,

Dustin

GIST Cleaning