What would you expect from a cleaner in 2 hours?

blizeH

Thanks all again for the replies, it sounds like £12p/h is rather steep, especially for someone who didn't bring any equipment etc.

To be honest I wouldn't mind paying £24 if everything was cleaned to a reasonable standard - hallway, living room, dining room, kitchen, utility, cloakroom (rarely used), bathroom (never used), 1 bedroom and the en-suite.

From my own rough estimates I'd say it'd take 20 minutes to dust, 20 minutes to hoover, 30 minutes to do the kitchen and utility, 30 minutes to do the bathrooms and then there's 20 minutes to do the odd jobs, like maybe cleaning the window cills, doors etc on a rota

We don't have kids, and we do keep the house very clean.

Basically, I think we just want a service similar to what everyone else is getting in this thread. Happy to pay £12p/h for that too, but it's interesting that some people are paying less. (@mummypig - does your cleaner bring her own equipment, ie steam cleaner etc?)

DaftyDuck

One point is that it may take a while for a cleaner to "find her feet" in a new job... work out what to do first, where the equipment is, and all that. It does sound like you are paying a bit too much for a bit too little back, but it might improve.

Setting out a clear list of what you expect/hope to be done may help all parties meet expectations. Not being in the way for chatting and cuppas is also a good idea.

Cleaning is one of those jobs that some take on believing it an easy fill-in job. It isn't. A good cleaner is worth searching out and keeping, even if it means paying a bit more initially.

blizeH

Thank you, I agree entirely and that was my first thought too, she is a really nice person and I wanted to give her a chance, but unfortunately we did make the decision to not have her back... I think the real deal breaker for us, was with over 20 minutes left, she said she would only have time to dust one room.

We're going to try out different cleaners now, like you said we definitely need to be clear about our expectations up front, and I think we also need to be clear that the first clean will basically be just a trial run, so it isn't awkward if we decide not to use them again. I felt so bad this morning! x_x

sweaty_betty

I've been reading this thread and am in a similar position to you. We were paying £12/hour and not convinced you could tell the cleaner had been at times... And the last one was a recommendation! I'm seriously considering going through an agency next time.

pollypenny

Hoover throughout, wash any hard floors. Dust, clean kitchen. Probably clean some windows.

When kids were younger I had a cleaner twice a week. When it was just the two of once a week. We tidied up ourselves. Wouldn't want cleaner going in drawers etc.

filmcritic

I find some of these comments quite comical.. £15.00 for 2 hrs not good value? Have you seen what the Agencies/franchises charge per hour? £25.00 for the most famous pink one . Im self employed and cleaning is part of the package i offer and although i charge per job it roughly works out to £18.00 per hour. How are you supposed to run a business with all its overheads if you only charge £7.50 per hour? Cleaning is a physically demanding job and it annoys me that this attitude that cleaners only deserve minimum rate still continues. Good honest cleaners are hard to find and trust me there are plenty of people who realise this and are prepared to pay a good rate for the service. You can keep your £7.50 price shoppers.

filmcritic

sweaty_betty wrote: »

I've been reading this thread and am in a similar position to you. We were paying £12/hour and not convinced you could tell the cleaner had been at times... And the last one was a recommendation! I'm seriously considering going through an agency next time.

Wouldnt if i were you. You will pay twice as much and get a cleaner who doesnt seem bothered half the time. Been told plenty of times by clients who have used agencies. Best try and find local recomendation, but the good ones are always fully booked.

-taff

blizeH wrote: »

From my own rough estimates I'd say it'd take 20 minutes to dust,

blizeH wrote: »

unfortunately we did make the decision to not have her back... I think the real deal breaker for us, was with over 20 minutes left, she said she would only have time to dust one room.

Well, if it was about 20 minutes she had left, she was bang on?

blizeH

Sorry, in the first example I meant dust the entire house - ie the TV and stand, the speakers, the coffee table, the bedside tables etc and probably in 20 minutes plenty of time to do either the doors, or the skirting on alternative weeks.

BatemanLDN

I pay £15p/h for my cleaner and she does 2 hours and is pretty amazing. You definitely know she has been and our place is pretty well kept anyway.
For £30 for the 2 hours she does the following...
Changes bedsheets
Does all washing
Ironing (2 loads worth normally)
Hangs the clothes to dry/puts in tumble dryer
Hoovers 2 bedrooms, and living room
Cleans bathroom and kitchen floors
Cleans whole of bathroom
Washes up anything in the kitchen/puts away anything that was out
Dusts/polishes throughout
Tidies kitchen

Thats about all that I notice.
Im in London but dont think this is a high rate
I would happily recommend her for anyone interested!