How much should I pay a cleaner?
Discussion
As in, what's an acceptable rate of pay?
I've used big companies before that want £60 an hour, which I think takes the piss a bit... however, when I've been working for a fortnight solid, it needs doing so needs must.
The trouble is, these companies won't do certain things - they'll put a wash on, but not hang it up to dry... they'll clean internal windows, but won't do anything on the balcony.
I think for sixty rubs an hour, I should get... well. Sixty 'rubs' to be frank
I've got a pretty nice pad, I just need someone keeping on top of the household s
t which takes up my time. My life is pretty hectic, work hard/play hard and sometimes I don't get home for a few days at a time. If you pull, but forget you left skiddies in the pan three days ago... well. You get the picture 
Basically I reckon it falls to these tasks twice a week:
General tidy, put stuff under coffee table etc.
Stick a wash on.
Hoover
Polish
Clean kitchen surfaces and empty dishwasher.
Put bin in bin store, stick a fresh one in.
Make sure I have a fresh pint of milk in.
stick some washing on dryer, blitz some ironing (I've never even come close to 'blitzing' ironing - although I hear it can be done).
clean bathroom and put in fresh towels and do bog roll etc.
Change bed clothes in one room.
Polish mirrors.
wash stone floor in bathroom and kitchen
air freshen.
Does this fall under the job description of a cleaner anyway, would I be better off advertising for a maid? Is it really unreasonable to ask them to do this extra stuff? It's not like it's some minging old place.
And what should I be paying? £60 an hour isn't on, because I feel like a mug! But the same amount for doing everything without moaning would be okay I suppose...
I've used big companies before that want £60 an hour, which I think takes the piss a bit... however, when I've been working for a fortnight solid, it needs doing so needs must.
The trouble is, these companies won't do certain things - they'll put a wash on, but not hang it up to dry... they'll clean internal windows, but won't do anything on the balcony.
I think for sixty rubs an hour, I should get... well. Sixty 'rubs' to be frank
I've got a pretty nice pad, I just need someone keeping on top of the household s
t which takes up my time. My life is pretty hectic, work hard/play hard and sometimes I don't get home for a few days at a time. If you pull, but forget you left skiddies in the pan three days ago... well. You get the picture Basically I reckon it falls to these tasks twice a week:
General tidy, put stuff under coffee table etc.
Stick a wash on.
Hoover
Polish
Clean kitchen surfaces and empty dishwasher.
Put bin in bin store, stick a fresh one in.
Make sure I have a fresh pint of milk in.
stick some washing on dryer, blitz some ironing (I've never even come close to 'blitzing' ironing - although I hear it can be done).
clean bathroom and put in fresh towels and do bog roll etc.
Change bed clothes in one room.
Polish mirrors.
wash stone floor in bathroom and kitchen
air freshen.
Does this fall under the job description of a cleaner anyway, would I be better off advertising for a maid? Is it really unreasonable to ask them to do this extra stuff? It's not like it's some minging old place.
And what should I be paying? £60 an hour isn't on, because I feel like a mug! But the same amount for doing everything without moaning would be okay I suppose...
We pay £30 for 2 hours a week for all the cleaning. We also pay someone else £25 for ironing say 7-8 shirts. This is East Berkshire so quite costly. To do what you want I'd say £60 for 3.5-4 hours sounds reasonable. Our cleaner is the sister of our gardener (not regular - cuts back trees 1-2 times a year). I'd always go for a trusted local contact rather than a company.
Edited by mikestrat on Friday 19th November 20:06
£60 an hour is an absolute rip off.
Search the local free rags for independent and smaller companies. You'll have to do some interviewing and maybe get some references but you should get a reliable local mrs miggins who will do all you cleaning, washing and ironing etc for less than half than per hour. In fact £10-£20 an hour depending on your area is the most you should be paying.
£60 an hour?? FFS honestly... if your pad is VERY nice they might just be trying it on as they thing you're minted.
Search the local free rags for independent and smaller companies. You'll have to do some interviewing and maybe get some references but you should get a reliable local mrs miggins who will do all you cleaning, washing and ironing etc for less than half than per hour. In fact £10-£20 an hour depending on your area is the most you should be paying.
£60 an hour?? FFS honestly... if your pad is VERY nice they might just be trying it on as they thing you're minted.
When we had Molly's Maid type companies they sent 2 or 3 ladies who covered the house in around 2 hours (dust/vacuum/bathrooms/kitchen) for £75. They didn't take as much care with our stuff as I'd like and it always felt like they were on a mission to get out the door (they are given so many jobs a day). We then moved onto a lady who we paid £10 an hour cash. We now need another cleaner as this one moved away. Finding a good one you can trust is hard.
Edited by Targarama on Friday 19th November 20:12
davido140 said:
£60 an hour is an absolute rip off.
Search the local free rags for independent and smaller companies. You'll have to do some interviewing and maybe get some references but you should get a reliable local mrs miggins who will do all you cleaning, washing and ironing etc for less than half than per hour. In fact £10-£20 an hour depending on your area is the most you should be paying.
£60 an hour?? FFS honestly... if your pad is VERY nice they might just be trying it on as they thing you're minted.
It's not ridiculously nice... but it is probably the nicest apartment block bar one in town.Search the local free rags for independent and smaller companies. You'll have to do some interviewing and maybe get some references but you should get a reliable local mrs miggins who will do all you cleaning, washing and ironing etc for less than half than per hour. In fact £10-£20 an hour depending on your area is the most you should be paying.
£60 an hour?? FFS honestly... if your pad is VERY nice they might just be trying it on as they thing you're minted.
Everything is of a decent quality because I'm not a tightarse and can see value for money in properly made things. I thought they were taking the wotsit but now I know
Targarama said:
When we had Molly's Maid type companies they sent 2 or 3 ladies who covered the house in around 2 hours (dust/vacuum/bathrooms/kitchen) for £75. They didn't take as much care with our stuff as I'd like and it always felt like they were on a mission to get out the door (they are given so many jobs a day). We then moved onto a lady who we paid £10 an hour cash. We now need another cleaner as this one moved away. Finding a good one you can trust is hard.
The cleaner from the local boozer mentioned she would like to do it, but she's a bit weird and she started going on about giving me a leg massage Edited by Targarama on Friday 19th November 20:12
I'd end up with a carrera2 situation for sure and I'd be going round sniffing the door handles for 'hint of prawn'
whoami said:
KingRichard said:
£60 an hour,
You are f
king joking.I can polish and scrub me lav out quick, but all the in depth stuff takes time and really makes a difference when you're entertaining at short notice.
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