How to find a cleaner?

northern_at_heart

Our lovely cleaner has just left us as he's got a new full-time job, so now we need to find a new one and I don't know where to start! We've only recently moved to this town (Hemel Hempstead) so haven't managed to find anyone through word of mouth or personal recommendations.

The internet is full of adverts but they all seem so expensive, and how can you trust anyone just off the back of an advert and a quick meeting?! We were paying £10 an hour but having just one 2-hour session a fortnight. Am I stupid thinking we'll be able to get someone decent for that?

Does anyone have any ideas, or (better still) a recommendation for a trustworthy and reasonable cleaner in the Hemel Hempstead area - or even any comments on any of the national or regional agencies?

Thanks in advance!

esio_trot

no idea as I don't have a cleaner and live in Scotland but...have you tried asking your previous cleaner if there's anyone he'd recommend? He may have friends/colleagues doing what he was when he was working for you.

withabix

I believe that doing your housework yourself is popular in some parts :rolleyes:

Surely you can manage 2 hours a fortnight?


[note: this is a humourous reply]

Rachel85

We went through an agency to find ours. We have 2 hours a week but we could have gone for 2 hours a fortnight. We pay £9.00/hour (£6.50 to the cleaner, £2.50 to the agency for insurances, cleaner's NI etc) so we don't do anything.

I'd actually have rather found someone off my own back, as I think £6.50 is too little to earn and I object to paying an agency £5/week for what feels like nothing. But at the time I wanted to security and someone to start quickly.

Strangely, I have never met the lady who cleans my house. When she came over to get the key etc I was out, DH showed her around. But it doesn't bother me.

fuzzipeg

We used to use Mary's Maids (we're in Apsley) but I'm not sure that Mary's still around. Have heard good things about Callver, though they are slightly on the pricey side (£12 p/h I think, but they normally send 2 ladies round).

Also have electrician, plumber and decorator locally if you need them!

BitterAndTwisted

I'd pop round and have a chat with some of your neighbours and ask them. It would be a great way of breaking the ice and getting to know them as well.

honeypop

Lol at asking your neighbours, depends on where you are though. I am in Hemel and if I asked my neighbours if they could recommend a cleaner, they would think I'm all 'La-di-dar' and looking down my nose at the normal people who clean their own houses.

Note - NOT my opinion, I would love a cleaner! But a view typical of my neighbours.