Domestic cleaning

amalis

Hi, has anyone got experience with domestic cleaning?I am not managing a little baby, full time work and cooking and we decided to invite a cleaner every other week. In my area there are only agencies. Has anyone got ay advice about how to find a good cleaner and how to mke sure I get the best for my mony?

t14cy_t

hi amalis, I am a domestic cleaner, and have been for 23 years as well as paye employment.! I have never advertised for work, but a good reputation by word of mouth is a very reliable and accurate way of getting a good domestic cleaner. I am registered self employed and have public liability insurance, this is essential to know that you are employing someone legally. looking for a good cleaner is quite easy, ask people at the local post office/school/library. agencies in my honest opinion are fine, but I think having the same person you know and trust to help you out is more important, so seek out your helper yourself. ask lots of questions when you meet them, they should be glad to answer them. I lost the dearest couple who were in their nineties two years ago, I was with them twenty years. I regularly clean 10 homes, housesit/childsit/cook/iron/dog walk/plant water/chauffer the kids to another 5 families when needed!! I'm very lucky! as regards money, check out the going rate for your area as it varies a lot!! happy hunting!!xx

amalis

Thank you very much, t14cy t! What sort of questions should I ask?
The problem is I am new to the area and don't have many friends here.

MallyGirl

do you have a local FB group - if you do Facebook. You could post there for recommendations.


I used an agency for a while but I had several issues with it:
- I did not get the same person each week so had to go through all the intro stuff several times
- the last one took her money and left after half the time. I was actually in the house as I am a homeworker so I knew exactly what she had done, and had suspected similar on previous weeks. The agency expected me to deal with it when I complained!
- of the £16 per hour, the agency took £9 and the cleaner got £7 which was just plain wrong.


My current cleaner is a nightmare in many ways but she puts up with my dogs and feeds the cat when we are away so I keep her on (and pay her direct).

Farway

Try https://www.streetlife.com/, you have to join, free, put in your post code and you will get the area where you live, then have a read though and ask on there for any recs

Mr_Singleton

amalis wrote: »

anyone got experience with domestic cleaning? how to make sure I get the best for my money?

I'd only go with a personal recommendation and NEVER with an agency.
Just about everyone I know has a 'cleaning lady' so it was just a matter of finding somebody that could fit me in. Being a single bloke with far too much money and far too little time to spend cleaning it was just a case of writing up a list of things that needed doing discussing with the cleaner how long it would take and then setting an hourly rate. I did at first set particular times and days but now she has a key.

Make sure you let the cleaner know your expectations i.e a quick clean or a proper deep clean and pay accordingly. Any problems and make them known straight away don't let things fester. Be firm but fair and do a trial few weeks to see if you get on.

t14cy_t

hi amalis, glad to be of help. questions to ask potential cleaners should include, references from previous or present employers, with telephone numbers so you can verify them, is the cleaner local to you? are they registered self employed, do they have public liability insurance, do they have children? do they have practical experience? do they have other jobs? are they local to where you live? as for finding them, visit any community area., ie post office., local council offices, post office even the local pub!!! someone somewhere knows that someone who can help you!! people in general will be happy to help. good luck with your search.xx

t14cy_t

mr_singleton, I completely agree with your comments.x

pinkparrott

I've had an agency and it didn't work for the reasons above, you want to meet the person ,& I don't want a different person each week. If you get a regular person the get to know your house. My last clearner retired so I've had a new lady for about 6 months (she does 2hrs a week) and it takes a few weeks for her to get used to the house where you keep everything. She also keeps asking if she would do anything different & is everything OK. I been really honest and told her things I want doing (like making sure she mops the bathroom floor rather that wiping it with s cloth?) But also told her the bits I'm not as bothered about. Its your house and money so be honest about what you want doing most importantly. Also be realistic about what they can do in the time.

MMF007

Definately ask for proof of insurance and DBS check - it used to the CRB check to confirm no criminal record!

Although indiv cleaner will be cheaper than an agency try to remember that the hourly rate is all they get, to cover any time off (hols or sick) and they'll pay NI and maybe tax if earning more than the threshold, and that's without putting anything into a pension.

By me, northwest England, the going rate is £11 to £13/hour for self emp. It is £13.50 to £17/hour for agency.

First few visits to new client takes longer, once used to the house and the routine your cleaner will get more done in the alloted time. A reliable cleaner who does a good job and is flexible, like t14cy t (!) is worth their weight in gold!! You won't regret it but, as everyone has said, go by word of mouth and be prepared to go on a waiting list because the good ones will be booked up and you may have to wait til someone 'moves away' ( cleaner speak for 'dies') for a slot to come free.

My mum has a cleaner due to ill health. She gets loads done in two hours, charges £12/hour and is willing to do all sorts of jobs like collecting prescriptions, taking her shopping, even making lunch. Even just having a bit of human company does mum good.