hi. does anyone have a domestic cleaner? how much do you pay and how long (hrs per week) would i need 1 for in a 3 bed terraced? we're both working long hours and the cleaning seems to becoming too much so.... thanks. Nick.

Don't be tempted to employ anyone you know. It's a big mistake, when they start doing the job less well you have a right job sacking them. We did!

Make sure you have a list of tasks, before you agree to take them on, and pay less if they miss more than 10% of them. And tell them you don't want their friends in the house talking to them while they're working.

I have cleaning ladies called Impeccable Standards.

They are excellent cleaners, clean the house and do 1 other job like windows etc in the time.
I'll PM you with details if you like.

Hazel

I sometimes use a small agency called Housemates, when I need help for a blitz.

Last time I used them in August the hourly rate was £8.50, they bring all the equipment and work very hard, and will help out with non standard jobs too.
Elaine 269 3387.

Scrooge is alive and well and living in woodseats! I run a small cleaning and ironing business and would not work for muddycoffee no matter how much he paid. My clients are all perfectly happy as I am with them, muddycoffee respect is a two way street ,learn that and you may do better with your next cleaner.

Originally posted by fredsredhat
hi. does anyone have a domestic cleaner? how much do you pay and how long (hrs per week) would i need 1 for in a 3 bed terraced? we're both working long hours and the cleaning seems to becoming too much so.... thanks. Nick.

Employ a company who specialise in this eg mollie (see above) or someone like Poppies.

When it all goes **** up, which it may do at some point, dealing with a company is alot easier than dealing with an individual.

Originally posted by mollie
Scrooge is alive and well and living in woodseats! I run a small cleaning and ironing business and would not work for muddycoffee no matter how much he paid. My clients are all perfectly happy as I am with them, muddycoffee respect is a two way street ,learn that and you may do better with your next cleaner.

Molly, you sound like someone who operates in a professional way. Our cleaner was far from professional. When she'd been with us for a few months, she used to spend less and less time doing the job. Her little boy put his finger through an expensive hifi speaker, and her friend used to come and spend an hour on our phone. Not only that we were forced to put up with gossip all the time from various other sources about how mucky we were, and things we were supposed to have done.

Pay em no less than the hourly rate that you get!

Ok muddycoffee I have to agree it sounds like she was a bad lot! get references next time and check em out, thats my advice then you both know where you stand

Originally posted by Booo
Pay em no less than the hourly rate that you get! seems fair enough. cheers guys.

i thought thats why men got partners??????free cleaning. (just joking)

tried that mate. more expensive than any cleaner. i could afford annie and angie or whoever those 2 cleaners off the tv are, if the missus wasn't draining my bank. (sorry dear, i mean i love spending all my hard earned on your new frock......)

no one has mentioned c.r.b.......police checks! dont let just anyone into your homes folks!

A small token of appreciation at this time of year works wonders - my mate was a great cleaner and went the extra mile for her clients all year but got little thanks not even a card or a bottle of wine from any of them last year.