ClaireG Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I'm seriously thinking of looking into getting a cleaner when we move. Due to my health issues i'm finding it harder and harder to keep on top of the housework. How much do you pay your cleaner? How many hours a week do you have them? I was thinking 2-3 hours, do you think this is long enough for a 3 bed house? Do you use an agency or did you advertise yourself? If you use an agency, do you pay a fee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riane Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I always get cleaners on personal recommendations. I think you are trusting them in you home and with confidentiality. So I would always want somebody I know rather than an agency that could change week to week. I pay for the job rather than perhour. It usually takes 3-4 hours and I pay £30. She comes once per Week term time. In the holidays I don't have her at all. Hope this is helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatieB Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Hi I have had various cleaners over the last 10 years or so. Sometimes agencies sometimes not. You will pay an additional fee or premium to an agency. The going rate around where I live at the moment is £8 per hour, some cleaners will give you a job rate rather than an hourly one. As for how long you need they would need to price it - I used to live in a 3 bed house which was an average size and took 2 hours. I now still have a three bed although its big and really need between 3 and 4 to get it all done. So as a guestimate 2-3 hours should be ok. However what my experience tells me is do not expect wonders. When you show them around be specific about what must be done. The more examples you give in each room the better. A cleaner will never do as you do as everyone does it differently so you may have to top up (or is that just fussy me) If you don't use an agency make sure you check references or use a recommendation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 If you use an agency, expect to pay a bit more than if you paid a cleaner direct; however there are advantages. An agency should make CRB checks and get references (you might want to ask about this), and should ensure that the cleaners are entitled to work here, and should carry insurance for any accidental damage etc. It also saves you having to advertise/interview, and if your cleaner is sick or on holiday, the agency should arrange an alternative. Considering that you're going to be giving someone a key to your house and probably they will be there when you are out, you want to feel comfortable with whoever you employ. You'll find most agencies don't want a contract for less than about 3 hours a week, but that should be enough to clean a (reasonably tidy) 3-bed house - it all depends what you want done, and the more untidy you are then the less time there is for cleaning. I like to have the hard surfaces, sinks and worktops all cleaned and the carpets hoovered, I really don't mind washing windows or cleaning the oven (not that I do either very often! ) but if you want a deeper level of cleaning then it may take longer. I pay about £9/hour but then I'm on the edge of London, I'd expect to pay a bit less if you're in an area where things are generally cheaper. I tidy up as much as I can before the cleaner comes, because I don't want her to waste her time doing that, and I would never expect her to clean up pet messes or anything like that (I have a friend who works as a cleaner and she says that some of the things she comes across are unbelievable!) You do have to be prepared for the fact that they probably won't clean things the way that you do. Whenever I think about economising I consider whether I could do without Elena, who does a brilliant job, and I remember how things used to be - spending all Friday evening/Saturday morning cleaning up and feeling resentful, or not doing it and then having to make a Herculean effort to get on top of things again. If you can afford it, I think it's money well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I have a team of 2 that come every fortnight for 3 hours and they get £37.50 each. They are cheaper than the local agencies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 And I wish I had a cleaner too - I spend the weekend catching up but... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Don't get paid anything - skivvy thats what I am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Thanks everyone I wouldn't need to give them a key as would probably be there when they are, as i don't work. I know it sounds very lazy not working and wanting a cleaner It's just that my ill health has made it difficult for me to do much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 My cleaner get £7 an hour, she comes and does 4 hrs on a Friday. Friday is my day off when I do next weeks planning, clean out the chooks and shop for the week ahead. I do leave her the key from time to time and go off shopping whilst she in some weeks, but that comes with time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I use a cleaning company, who send two people for one and a half hours (3 hours' worth of cleaning) for £30. Prefer a cleaning company as they have public liability insurance etc. This is because when I was a kid we had a cleaner who was part of the family, and whom we adored and who cleaned for us for 12 years, before my Mum ran in to her one day wearing one of my Mum's diamond rings that she had stolen from her! It is a terrible extravagance I know, but it's the most worthwile money I spend all week. I work full time Monday to Friday, have a part time business at weekends/evenings, and otherwise would spend what little spare time I have cleaning. ( I may be paranoid, but I still lock the room with our computer/personal paperwork and stick my jewelery box in there just in case.) Still feel guilty having someone else clean up our mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Don't feel guilty! We all pay someone else to do things we could do ourselves, from buying ready-prepared vegetables to ready-made clothes - the difference is with a cleaner you actually see the person doing it. For my friend who is a cleaner it's a great job - she knows her clients personally, she can fit work in with her children, and doesn't have to travel too far from home. I would rather spend my spare time on the garden than cleaning the house, it's all a matter of choice. I don't lock anything away, if I felt I couldn't trust my cleaner then I wouldn't want her in the house at all, even if I'd hidden personal stuff. The way I live, she'd have a job to find anything important anyway - I never can! ) I'm at work all day and so she has to come in while I am out of the house. I definitely would recommend getting references however if you're not using an agency, and if you are then do check that they they take up references and have insurance cover in place. I forgot to add that the other thing I get my cleaner to do is put the clean sheets and duvet cover on the bed every week (I strip the old ones off before leaving for work) ... fabulous, as it's a job I loathe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 My cleaners are not part of an agency but are fully insured. They have a key to my house although I am usually at home when they visit. I don't hide anything away but it does take some time for me to clear the decks so that they can clean properly - the joys of a family. My children think that they are cleaning for the cleaners Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Have a wonderful woman who comes on Mondays, and does as much as she can for £20...which is marginally over 2 hours in these parts. I told her before she started how much I could afford to pay & she gets all the essentials done & sometimes a few extra bits, depending on time of year etc. She is a complete star, & will walk dog or do whatever else I am struggling to fit in if i warn her in advance. Best money I spend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I did two extra cleaning jobs last year to earn extra pennies. One was cleaning holiday cottages (really hard work as the owner was meticulous, almost OCD about her cottages) and we got paid £7.00 an hour which was money well earned. I also found a family home cleaning job on Gumtree locally, she paid £7.50 an hour and it was a case of "anything goes", they led a very busy life so I almost treated her home like I would have my own. They never did anything around the home (not even laundry, emptied the dishwasher or clean out the indoor pets all week ) and they would use every single plate, utensil, pan, dish, egg cup etc in the cupboard until I arrived to wash them or load up the dishwasher! I would say £7 per hour is about the right mark, I've seen on the jobcentre website that most agencies pay about £6.50 an hour down here but I bet they charge the client a whole lot more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 Round here (south east) the going rate seems to be £10 per hour; agencies seem to charge about twice that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I pay my cleaner £30 cash. Four hours work every Friday morning. 4 Bedroom (2 bathrooms). There are many things that would go before my cleaner!!!!! It is the best £30 that I spend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 Thanks I've had a look on the local Gumtree for the area we're moving to and the going rate seems to be £7-8 per hour. Local agencies seem to want £10 - 12 per hour and a minimum of 3 hours. As i'm going to be around i think i will advertise etc myself but make sure i get refrences etc. Have decided on 2.5 hours a week for £20 and then once every couple of months asking for 4 hours for a bigger clean eg oven which i would pay £35 for Great idea re the duvet Olly We have a superking bed and i really, really struggle with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
