Advice please: cleaners have damaged my sink. What to do?

Errata

I'd be extremely pee'd off if it happened to me, not least because the metal scourer will also have scratched the surface of the sink, which may invisible to the naked eye but it will be scratched.

summerof0763

I would speak to one that can understand English, tell them what's happened and that you want reimbursed for damage, then personally I would find a new cleaner, but that's my opinion

skintchick

I need to clarify a few things. My cleaner IS the boss, he is the one that speaks English. He used to work with his wife, then they had a new girl they trained up, then they had another new girl who comes with him now (and sometimes his wife too) as they train her up. They are expanding the business.

Someone accused me of micromanaging them - I don't. I privide the products etc as THEY REQUESTED and they are kept in the relevant rooms as it is sensible and saves time. I did that when I did the cleaning to save me going up and down stairs.

They have never used alternative products before so I had no reason to expect them to do this. I would have thought that micromanaging would be listing all the things they should NOT use, which I didn't do (although I rather wish I had now!).

tea_lover wrote: »

Definitely. One that understands how to clean things for a start! And check their insurance.

Ah, insurance. none of the cleaners round here have it. I did try and find one that does but not even the one who charges £15 an hour has any.

cazziebo wrote: »

How many hours do they do?

If they are doing more than an hour each you're getting a very good deal so I'd be loath to stop any money from the payment. I'd raise it with the boss and see if they suggest a compromise. You also have to bear in mind it is 4 years old. (Wait until you experience the wreckage a toddler can do!)

With a new baby I imagine you don't want to go on the hunt for a new cleaner right now when this situation might be salvageable.

PS - I think it can be very MSE to have a cleaner if that frees you up to do other things.

They do two man hours a week, so it is £10 an hour but sometimes they come as a three and are here 40 mins and sometimes two of them and here for an hour.

I have a five-year-old who didn;t damage or break stuff as a toddler, let alone wreck thing, so I don;t expect this one to either. And I do expect a plughole to last over four years, actually. This is much more than wear and tear would look anyway, it is scratched to b*ggery as my father would say.

blobbydoodaah wrote: »

You really should have mentioned this little problem to them straight away-it is such a small issue if you are happy with everythimg else just let them know to stop any further damage!

Erm, I'm going to. I noticed it two days ago and they come on Thursday, hence asking for advice and opinions now.

Errata wrote: »

I'd be extremely pee'd off if it happened to me, not least because the metal scourer will also have scratched the surface of the sink, which may invisible to the naked eye but it will be scratched.

Arrgh! Don;t say that! :o is that true?

sassyblue

I think you've had good advice so far, l just wanted to say congratulations skintchick x

meritaten

congrats on the new baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cant add to what's already been said, just wanted to congratulate you on the new arrival - and say how sensible you have been in getting in cleaners rather than trying to do too much yourself.

lostinrates

Isn't there some deferentiation in hiring cleaners you are supplying the products aren't you the employer rather than a customer?

If that is indeed so ( I cannot quite remember) one would think its you who would need insurance ( plus fulfil the other employers requirements)

Person_one

skintchick wrote: »

Someone accused me of micromanaging them - I don't. I privide the products etc as THEY REQUESTED and they are kept in the relevant rooms as it is sensible and saves time. I did that when I did the cleaning to save me going up and down stairs.

They have never used alternative products before so I had no reason to expect them to do this. I would have thought that micromanaging would be listing all the things they should NOT use, which I didn't do (although I rather wish I had now!).

I suppose that would be me. It wasn't an 'accusation', rather an observation from your first post as highlighted below. This newer one gives slightly different information.

I'm sorry my suggestions were taken the wrong way.

skintchick wrote: »

Because I've always done my own cleaning I have products etc which they use, and I keep the relevant products and cleaning cloths in each room, so there is no need to run from room to room to get other things. I explained this when I took them on.

I'm really cross they have taken scourers from under my kitchen sink and used them in the bathroom, which is pretty new (fitted my previous owners just before we moved in four years ago). I told them only to use what was in each room and provided cloths and plastic scourers as well as the right products (Cif, limescale remover, bleach).

Errata

lostinrates wrote: »

Isn't there some deferentiation in hiring cleaners you are supplying the products aren't you the employer rather than a customer?

If that is indeed so ( I cannot quite remember) one would think its you who would need insurance ( plus fulfil the other employers requirements)

My window cleaners use my water and my gardeners use my electricity. They're not my employees.

lostinrates

Errata wrote: »

My window cleaners use my water and my gardeners use my electricity. They're not my employees.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employment-status/

Looking at the balance to determine if employed or self employed its interesting.

Personally I think many people incorrectly treat employed cleaners as self employed because they are employed only part time.

skintchick

I still think they count as self employed based on that. I only provide the products because they want me to. I'd be very happy for them to bring their own.

They come tomorrow so I will speak to them and see what they say.