I wanna cleaning lady!

JoeyEmma

We are about to sign for our first house, and I'm looking around our current rented flat and seeing how messy it looks and starting to panic that I will never cope with our big house.

Now I know I am meant to be money saving, however my argument is that I will have nice floors, carpets, furniture and such like and would like them to stay nice for as long as possible. Therefore in my twisted logic I am viewing a cleaning lady (or man) as an investment.

I know I should do it myself, but between a full time job, Masters degree, voluntary work and allotment I haven't got enough time to do it properly.

Does anybody on here have a cleaning lady and if so how much does it cost per hour? Is there any advice you can give on hiring one?

I live in Manchester, just out of the city centre btw

jojo2004

Hi JoeyEmma
The best advice I can offer is DON'T go through an agency - they charge huge fees, and the only thing they provide is a replacement cleaner if yours can't make it.
As far as I know from past cleaning experience (horrid holiday homes - very smelly) the going rate is not greatly above minimum wage. I have friends in London who have a cleaner twice a week, and although they are not short of money, they reckon it's an economy in terms of time-saving.
Have you tried asking your neighbours/looking at cards in newsagents? Locals might be best, as they will prob be able to supply references.
Good luck, hope your new house is lovely,
xx

kronen

Hi, I have 2 cleaning jobs in Peterborough. One I got as she is my Avon customer and the other as I was recommended. I charge £6.00 an hour and do 2 hour sessions once a week at each. One a three story and the other is a bungalow which gets in a state as she is elderly and can't do a lot. They are both understanding that I can't always do some of the school hols depending on my partners shifts as I have 3 kids. I have set jobs to do each week and I get left little notes if they want me to do anything different. Their cleaning cupboards are stocked with clean dusters, large sponge for bath, drying cloth, polish, all purpose flash, kitchen and bath spray, window wipes and toilet duck. I leave a note when I need more.
I would agree to get yourself a cleaner through family friends recommendations, especially if you are going to give the cleaner a key to clean when you are not there.

JoeyEmma

As silly as it sounds, cleaners seem to be cheaper in London than in Manchester. A few of my friends have cleaners in London, and they all seem to be Phillipino or from other similar countries and are all paid cash in hand.

The problem I have is very few of my friends have a cleaner. One has one from an agency (and has never had a problem) and the other one is fully booked.

cardtart_2

I am cleaning for my next door neighbour at the moment,she is also been my friend for five years since we moved in,she has had a couple of cleaners and not been satisfied with their work,she asked me outright would I clean for her?I will admit it wasn't my first choice of job but it works out great I do 2 hours Monday 3 1/2 Wednesday to include ironing and 2 hours on a Friday,I can pop round anytime whilst they are at work so i'm not tied to a timescale,better still when the kids are off school I am only next door.She pays me £45. per week.

DSmiffy

I have a cleaning lady, well two actually! They come once a week for 2 hours which is four hours between two of them and I pay £28 a week. The house is lovely and clean when I come home, and I just give a a vaccuum through the week, until they come again the floowing week.

Best money I've ever spent, life is too short to clean, plus it's my only vice, I don't go clubbing, buy designer clothes, smoke or dronk (well not too much anyway)!!

Saint_Chris

I work as a cleaner in sheltered accommodation.

Because of this i have aquired a few private cleanings. Which i do admit are cash in the hand. But this doesn't bother me as i get rubbish wages from the above job.

I get paid £6 a hour to clean there houses.

I have keys for 2 of the houses so i just let myself in put the radio on and i'm of.

I work on a 4 week cycle.

1st week living room pull everything out.

2nd week. bedrooms pull everything out.

3rd week bottom kitchen ie inside of cupboards etc

4th week windows inside

then it is back to week 1 all over again.

When it is living room weeks then i just hoover and dust the bedrooms.

i would try to find somebody by word of mouth, rather than go through an agency.

If i lived a bit nearer i would have done it for you.

flossy_splodge

Ever thought about starting as you mean to go on??? If you start in your new house by putting things away when finished with, cleaning the floor routinely daily and washing up as you go along you wouldn't need a cleaner. How daft to work to get money then spend it on something you should manage quite well yourself. Goodness me!:eek: