Getting a cleaner

pinkshoes

Ok, so we've finally admitted we're too busy to clean the flat properly (and lazy), so we're getting a cleaner.

We've talked to one so far (Polish girl), who wants £8 an hour. Does this sound reasonable?? (Oxfordshire).

We've asked for proof of having insurance, but what else can we ask from them? i.e. how do we prevent them running off with the entire contents of our house when we're at work??? I guess proof of their name and address??

I just want to make sure we're covered incase it all goes wrong!

BallandChain

If someone is coming into your home they really need to have a CRB check. Not sure on what are the going rates but maybe you could get a few quotes off other cleaners? It might be better to go through a cleaning agency as you will have some come back if things don't go well.

r.mac_2

have you asked for references and followed them up?

OrkneyStar

pinkshoes wrote: »

Ok, so we've finally admitted we're too busy to clean the flat properly (and lazy), so we're getting a cleaner.

We've talked to one so far (Polish girl), who wants £8 an hour. Does this sound reasonable?? (Oxfordshire).

We've asked for proof of having insurance, but what else can we ask from them? i.e. how do we prevent them running off with the entire contents of our house when we're at work??? I guess proof of their name and address??

I just want to make sure we're covered incase it all goes wrong!

Could you ask friends/family if they have a cleaner working for them who may also want a few more hours ?
Have you thought about going to a cleaning agency, might cost a little more, but they may have stricter vetting for cleaning staff ?

Pee

I think your options are either someone you know, possibly someone who won't be paying tax and that would be cheaper or an agency, which would be more expensive but at least you would know that you were covered.

Is it an option to have the cleaner coming in whilst you are there, if you want to go with this girl?

mountainlioness

I would definitely go with a personal recommendation (in fact our cleaner has just left so am asking friends for recs as I don't want to go on a random advert) or an agency. £8 seems fine, we paid £7 in herts. An agency would be double that but then you do get relative peace of mind (including insurance and references)

pinkshoes

Many thanks for all the replies.

The OH dealt with it, as he was working from home today, but it's not really an option us being there when she cleans every week, as we both work long hours.

The girl said she didn't have a reference, but perhaps she meant she didn't have one with her...??

I've tried asking friends, but they all do their own cleaning and/or can't budget a cleaner, and no family nearby for a recommendation.

Pee

The agency is the safest option.

belfastgirl23

I would never ever leave a random stranger with my house keys which is effectively what you would be doing by employing this person. In fact I'm not even sure if you would be covered for contents insurance if the worst did happen because you would be judged to have been negligent.

If you can't get a recommendation then I would def go for an agency.

Saint_Chris

I work as a cleaner in sheltered accommodation for the elderly.

plus on my day off i do a few private cleanings.

1st is for a doctor
2nd is for a police officer.

I knew the brother of the police officer and he asked me would i do it, and the police officer recommended me to the doctor.

i have the house keys for both houses, and i know the alarm numbers.

Mostly when i go (i've been to both today) i'm alone, but today was the police officers day off, and he arrived home when i was there for my last 30 mins.

The doctor just goes to the gym when i'm there.

Both know my home address and have my mobile numbers, infact the doctors daughter who lives in london, rang me and asked me where her dad was, as she'd not heard from him, he's always going away, i told her he was in japan.............:rotfl:

As for honesty, i know i'm honest, and i'm not interested in cupboards or draws, the only ones i go into are the kitchen ones where the cleaning stuff is.

I make myself a cup of coffee when in the police officers, and depending how i feel i have a cake, (they did tell me to help myself, to any biscuits or cakes)

Most of the time i just want to get my cleaning done and get out.

I would try and ask around and find out someone who has a cleaner and can recommend someone to you.

Where do you live as i'm looking for another cleaning. ...lol

pinkshoes

Apparently she doesn't have references because she's just starting out... but she had taken the initiative to get coloured flyers printed on card and hand them out, so at least that shows enthusiasm.

OH has given her a trial which he will be there for, so I guess we'll see how it goes, and perhaps ask for a copy of her passport or something.

I will try asking around too and see if someone I know can recommend someone.