are house calls safe?

[Sally]

Does anyone do house calls? I currently do corp. chair massage, but have been asked if I would go to clients homes to do husband/wife for birthday, mom's day and dad's day. I do not rent a space because I am always mobile with the chair, but would love to pick up more work for extra $. Is this safe? (i am a woman ) The only other time I do house calls is for friends and friends of  friends. Should I limit it to this?

 

[brennanc]

I'm not an expert in this area as I only do friends and family but I thought I'd pass along something another therapist told me once. When she goes to a house or hotel (tourists) to do sessions she immediately says to the client, "Excuse me while I make a phone call to my service. I have to check in at the beginning of the massage and then again at the end of the session as a safety precaution. It will only take a moment." Then she calls the "service", which is actually her home phone, and gives the address and client name, that she has arrived and that she will be done with the session at ______o'clock.  She believes this is a good safety precaution and has said no one has taken offense. (If they did that might be a pretty big red flag )Can't say as I've ever tried it but it might not be a bad idea.

 

[i love him]

are house calls safe?

Although I'd say any situation could be a potentially unsafe situation, I would suggest you follow your gut and take some precautions (such as vorehealer has posited). Good luck.

 

[PolotinnK]

are house calls safe?

I used to do what Vorehealer's friend did when I did outcalls. I'd give the name of the client, the address (including room number if it was a hotel), and a phone number to reach the house/hotel room. I also carried a knife for protection (I wouldn't hesitate to cut a b!tch either) because these days, you never can be too careful, eh? I do not do outcalls anymore, mainly because I didn't like having to lug my table around when I'm already paying rent for a perfectly good office. I lose a few appointments a month because of this, but it's worth it, IMO. Just be safe, bring protection, and always make a safety call in front of the client.

 

[wng]

are house calls safe?

I don't do house calls. I'm with Seforum.xxxgnant on this one. By the time I lug that table, I'm the one that needs the massage.However... My partner does do housecalls. He does "family massage" house calls. He does not do outcall for just one person. He does it for the entire family. It's much more profitable and safer.-Melody

 

[JoshuaEvanss]

I do a few housecalls, and always do the safety call - آ not in front of the client, but before I arrive, and after I leave, so that someone always knows where I am and when to expect me back. آ I wouldn't carry a weapon, as I have no experience or training in using one, and I'd be more worried about having the weapon used on me. آ If self-defense is a concern, you could invest in a few martial arts/self-defense classes, which would increase your confidence about being able to leave if you feel threatened. آ I think a lot of safety is about making sure you're in charge - being aware when someone tries to manipulate you, and being firm about your boundaries. آ I haven't had a scare yet (touch wood).  Friends of friends is probably a good way to go, at least at the start.

 

[mr p]

are house calls safe?

Hi,This is something I ran across some time ago, and there are a number of people out there who use this protocol for it's particular features.Although this quote I am going to provide is more about safe calls with "blind-dates", I would say it may be something the massage profession would be interested in instituting in circumstances such as house calls.  I have inserted the word *client for date and *house call for blind date, in all instances.-=-=-=-SAFE-CALLPROCEDUREPrearrange and agree that you will call your friend immediately after you meet your *client.Set up a key word beforehand, one you can say if you need help. For example, you can say everything is "great" if you need help or everything is "wonderful" if you're okay. (this probably would not help regarding a client, but I am leaving it here, just in case -- possibly you could use this when making your inital call to say you arrived safely-- if you thought something was amiss, you would be able to alert someone to a potential problem, but not one that should be acted on immediately (?)... maybe - just thinking out loud )Your friend should be ready to come get you, if needed.Arrange to call at specific times. If a phone call is not made on time, your friend should call the police. The police in most cities are familiar and cooperative with this procedure.If an emergency does arise, your friend can tell the police you made this arrangement because you are on a *house call. Your friend can tell them that in all likelihood nothing is amiss, but could they please send a car around (to the meeting place or to your *clients home or apartment) just to be sure.-=-=-=-Hope this helps.Personally, I don't like to perform house calls, however, there is a good market for it, and many people who have tight scedules like this alternative.I mentioned somewhere else, but am not able to locate it right now, that I know of a lady who makes her clients purchase a table and keep it at their home (along with sheets and music), so that all she takes is her lotion.   She also requires that they be on a regular schedule if she is gonig to perform house calls for them.Just a few thoughts.

 

[Sunshine!]

are house calls safe?

As for lugging the table to and from an out-call site, I know a therapist who does great business on an out-call basis. After the first out-call, the therapist requires the client to buy a table and keep it at their location. She's been very successful with this. And since even Walgreens now carries massage tables, I think that's a good idea.

 

[Nightlife Commando]

are house calls safe?

Gaspen,I am amazed that she is able to get her clients to purchase a massage table for their homes and she has no problems with clients doing this. I'm going to assume that she doesn't charge extra when doing outcalls then. Otherwise, that is why it would cost more to go to the client's home.Is she getting "regular" clients to do this or just anyone who wants one on a whim? I can tell you that around here/in this area, that would be considered absurd and wouldn't happen...sure would be nice if it did though...lolBe well,Jen

 

[The Great Michael]

are house calls safe?

Jen, from what I understand, she has a pretty solid client base for the out-call, in addition to lecturing and teaching, she also works very part time in a clinic. Her out-call is also pretty much clinical stuff.

 

[Mia]

I'd like to know how she swings that one too!  Id do more housecalls if I could get that to work out!  ;DWhen I do do house calls I have a two person minimum.  Since I have a full time office, that makes it a little more worth my time $ wise - but its safer too.   Unless I meet two crazies.....then I guess Im in trouble.

 

[Ufo]

i have been practicing an all outcall massage business for over 7 years.  although i am a male, i would say that it is generally safe.  i would suggest to you that you start out doing only word of mouth referals and make sure that any advertising you do or business material you have specifies a non-sexual massage.  i would not go to hotels until you are very comfortable with outcall massage and then only when the client has a good referal.  also, in those circumstances get the business part out of the way first (insist upon it!)  that way if someone tries anything you can end the session immediately and leave.

 

[fantabulousfatima]

I think if you're getting requests from chair massage clients, you can be pretty sure it's safe.  Sounds like you go to their place of work for the chair work, so you know where they work, the combination of a work address and a home address, you can be fairly sure they won't try anything silly.   But still do the safe call As for the wider market - I stick to my general rules to avoid dubious clients (clinic and outcalls):If an unknown male rings up to make an appointment, I have nothing available for at least 48hrs - the dodgy ones tend to want appointments same day.  Some genuine ones do too, but I'd rather miss out on the genuine ones than have to worry if this could turn into a request for extras or a dangerous situation.  This tends to rule out hotel work, most of those are after a massage then, or at least that same day, but I find hotel work is a pain with the parking, lobbies etc. anyway.If they mention draping once, be on your guard, if they mention draping twice, don't accept an appointment - in my experience, anyone that selects their therapist on their draping style tends to be thinking of more than a massage.  I'll also add to that that anyone who has spent more than 5 min on the phone to me booking an initial appointment has usually been an extras request.  Maybe that should be another rule for me?Go with your gut and don't feel guilty about saying "sorry, I've nothing available that evening/weekend"If you are doing house calls back to back, allow an extra 30min on top of travel time between them to allow for traffic. People are usually happier if you turn up early (after ringing to check it's OK when at least 5 min away) than if you turn up late.

 

[Evelyn]

Regarding the therapist requiring the client to purchase the table for in-home use:As I mentioned, I also know of a lady who does this.The key is that when you start this requirement, you don't give in on it.That of course means that you either start it when you first go into out-call massage, or you change your policy along the way and loose a few clients by this.To be honest, for the price of an inexpensive table, there are many people who are willing to depart with the "extra $250" for you to see them in their home.  If it is going to be the way you decide to do business, then the type people who want this, and are on the regular schedule requirement, will refer other people who are of the same caliber.  I really like The person Gaspen mentioned requiring it to be done AFTER the initial appointment.  In the case I know of, it was the initial requirement.The main thing is that you have to have a little "staying power" and monitary backing in order to get this type of practice going.  Personally, if I were going to do in-house work, it is the only way I would work.And to put the topping on this, I actually had a lady call me 3 and 1/2 weeks ago who stated just that.... she had a table in her home and needed a therapist to come to her.  I encourage my clients to come to the office and she was roughly 3 miles away, and since she didn't want to make the drive and I was unwilling to come to her home on a regular basis, I referred her to a friend of mine who does do house calls.  So, those folks are out there!  Hope this helps somehow.  

 

[cul8r07]

I only do housecalls for 2 couples.  I come to their home regularly once a week.  My regular rate is $60.  I don't charge them extra.  One couple keeps the table set up in a room that they have designated as their massage room.  The other couple has the table set up for me most of the time... unless they are busy getting the kids to settle down (they have 5 kids!!).Anyway, I don't normally do housecalls.  So, one of my regulars asked if I could come to her home to massage her husband since he didn't want to come to the salon.  I told her that I didn't do housecalls b/c I didn't want to lug all my stuff around.  She asked me if I would change my mind if she bought a massage table and kept it at her home for me.  I smiled and said OK.  Same goes for the other couple.

 

[Alyce S]

are house calls safe?

I personally wouldn't want to do house calls. One, I feel it puts me in a possibly "uncomfortable" situation. Two, my husband worries enough about me working on strange men that I don't need to stress him out going to strangers house. He stresses means I stress and that's bad for business. I would consider working on clients I've known for an extended period of time but only if they had a medical excuse such as a broken leg or a very bad back. Otherwise, after friends and family is where I'd draw the line. I two am a woman and I've already been hit on in an office setting. I found that very disturbing and I don't feel I'd have control in someone else's home. I personally wouldn't recommend it, but if you do, I agree with Seforum.xxxgnant and other suggestions. Bring protection and have a friend or relative monitor your whereabouts.

 

[Pompal 09.]

are house calls safe?

mobile massage safety is all about the screening of your potential clients, and making that phone call check-in as previously stated.btw, if you're not using a table cart/rack/skate to roll your table, you won't be doing mobile for long.

 

[Martin F]

are house calls safe?

do you charge extra for house calls? if so, how much extra over an office visit?

 

[Stinky F]

are house calls safe?

We price our residential outcalls at about 40% over what a nice spa would charge. In most cities, that means $110 since the average is $85.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I'm not calling anyone a liar but I don't believe any client would buy a table after one massage, آ I have convinced clients to buy a table after several sessions with a lower price for future visits. آ  I let them know after X sessions they will have recouped the cost of the table and after that, they get a reduced price for future massages. آ Further, the table is their's whether they continue to work with me or not. آ  آ A selling point for a reduced rate with future therapists. آ I usually offer to buy the table for them and work out the logistics getting it to their home. آ It's great once it gets going. آ I have two outcall clients who have done this and it's great just showing up with just my sheets/oils/music in one convenient bag and nothing else. آ In reality, if your going to commit to outcall work, invest the 1,000 in a great, superlight portable table and you won't mind carrying it around.  The manufacturers have gotten the weights down to 20-25 lbs for the lightest tables.  Joe E. Joe E.