Does anyone have a cleaner or domestic help?

purplegirluk1

Hiya,
I have just posted this in the family forum but it is probably better suited here. I have ME and am currently looking for a cleaner/domestic help to come and clean our flat for me once a week. I have a 10 month old baby and am struggling to keep on top of everything. Does anyone else have any help? How did you find them? I have looked in the yellow pages. Are there anythings I should look for, ask etc?
Many thanks, purplegirl

colin13

r u not mayb better with a recomendation from some 1,, looking up yellow pages etc ,,sounds a bit dodgy to me,, imo

purplegirluk1

Thanks, I do not know anyone who can recommend i'm afraid. I am also a bit nervous about telling people I am looking for a cleaner as we are recieving benefits and I don't want people to think we have too much money or something like that. I am going to have to cut back to afford this but I would rather have less money and more energy to spend with my family.

LittleTinker

purplegirluk1 wrote: »

Thanks, I do not know anyone who can recommend i'm afraid. I am also a bit nervous about telling people I am looking for a cleaner as we are recieving benefits and I don't want people to think we have too much money or something like that. I am going to have to cut back to afford this but I would rather have less money and more energy to spend with my family.

Well yes, i can see your point. It does look a bit dodgy to be able to afford a cleaner if you are on benefits.

Cant help you with that though because obviously Im not in your area. But generally peoples cleaners are also on benefits and are looking for a 'cash in hand' job to get more money. I only know of adverts in shop windows or similar....but you never know who will turn up.

Babshubbie

We found a local domestic cleaner via the internet. Either google "domestic cleaner--(your town or location)" or go to "up my street.com" and follow the links. When you do find one, interview her and follow up references.

purplegirluk1

From my first search it look as if it is going to cost £88 a month for two hours a week. My DLA just about covers this. I have struggled for long enough and have had to admit that I need more help. My OH works hard and is out for long periods of time but he is self employed so the money he earns is sporadic. It isn't that I can afford to have a cleaner its that I need help.

dmg24

If you can't get one by recommendation, I would ring a few of the larger cleaning companies and get some quotes, check their terms and conditions (particularly cancellation period and insurance) etc.

There is no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed to have a cleaner whilst on benefits. I think that is a much better use of your money than cigarettes or booze!

dmg24

purplegirluk1 wrote: »

From my first search it look as if it is going to cost £88 a month for two hours a week. My DLA just about covers this. I have struggled for long enough and have had to admit that I need more help. My OH works hard and is out for long periods of time but he is self employed so the money he earns is sporadic. It isn't that I can afford to have a cleaner its that I need help.

That seems a lot to me - roughly £11 an hour. Definitely shop around x

peskie_pixie

purplegirluk1 wrote: »

From my first search it look as if it is going to cost £88 a month for two hours a week. My DLA just about covers this. I have struggled for long enough and have had to admit that I need more help. My OH works hard and is out for long periods of time but he is self employed so the money he earns is sporadic. It isn't that I can afford to have a cleaner its that I need help.

Hi. Have you contacted your local social services department for an assessment? you may be eligible for direct payments.

Direct Payments allow social services to pass to you the
monetary value of the care services they assess you as
needing. This then allows you to choose and arrange those
services in a way that provides you with flexibility, choice
and control.

Have PM'd you some info

purplegirluk1

dmg24 wrote: »

That seems a lot to me - roughly £11 an hour. Definitely shop around x

This is the lowest I have found, others are around £15 an hour. I don't want to pay someone cash in hand, i'd rather it be a proper company.

stevetodd

purplegirluk1 wrote: »

Thanks, I do not know anyone who can recommend i'm afraid. I am also a bit nervous about telling people I am looking for a cleaner as we are recieving benefits and I don't want people to think we have too much money or something like that. I am going to have to cut back to afford this but I would rather have less money and more energy to spend with my family.

I always had a cleaner when I was single and lived in London and have finally talked my wife into agreeing to a cleaner. I used to advertise for them myself rather than use an agency as they obviously just pay them less and pocket the difference, and there is no guarantee that they are any more relaible. We advertised on www.gumtree.co.uk at £8/hour and got about 8 replies. We vetted them ourselves and found a good one but unfortunately she had to go back to Poland, we went through it again and again found a good one but her circumstances changed and she wasn't available anymore. Our third new cleaner is starting tomorrow.