How many of you hire someone to clean your house? I have a small house but with my new responsibilities at work, I can see that I am already getting behind in cleaning. I could handle the upkeep but it would be nice to have someone come in and do a good cleaning maybe every other week. So I guess my questions are what is a reasonable rate for cleaning a small townhouse with 1 bedroom and 1.5 baths (not going to have them clean the offices), or what would be a reasonable hourly rate? How did you find the person? Do you use a company or an individual? Thanks.
I pay my cleaning lady $3/hour. She works 2.5 hours every week. I sometimes throw in an extra 50cents for her bus ride. But I guess that's not a normal wage for the USA Oh- and she's my boyfriend's cousin. So we know she's trustworthy and can leave her in the house.
I'm sure, like tutoring rates, that fees vary geographically. I pay. $100...my house is 3 levels, 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath.
I agree, it is going to vary a lot geographcailly. We have a 2000 sq.ft. house that all has to be swept and mopped (harder than vacuuming!) and ours charges $80, DH typically gives them a little more and asks them to do random extra tasks like cleaning the baseboards or fans (not stuff included in that rate), however, some of the other people quoted us $150 or somewhere in that range. This is a flat rate, two people come and they usually finish in about 2 hours, sometimes less.
I have a townhome that is 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms. I pay $50 every two weeks and I provide all the cleaning supplies, mop, vacuum, etc. I use an individual - she cleans my parent's house and has been cleaning mine for 4 years. I leave her a key and she locks up when she's done. It's the best money I spend!
My friend pays $25 a week. She does the basic cleaning. Another of my friends does housecleaning for people. She's been laid off from her factory job for almost two years. She is going to school full time, and she cleans houses in her spare time. She charges $40-50 a week.
If I hired a local woman, which is what I would do, what is reasonable as far as chores? I know I'd have to discuss these things with her, but...what's normal? How much do you clean between days?
I used to pay my sister 50 a week. That seems steep but she drove an hour to clean for me. I accidentally hurt her feelings so now she doesn't do it anymore
I pay $100 per cleaning. My cleaner (friend, too) does the vacuuming, dusting, floors, interior windows and mirrors, bathrooms, and laundry. It takes her about 4 hours to do our house.
Mine charges $20 an hour. But, I pay her for three hours and she usually stays for four, so I guess it's more like $15 an hour. She comes once a week, so it's $60 a week. She does seven rooms, and we have a lot of animals, so I feel it's worth it!
I certainly do. She's coming today, in fact. It's so nice to not have to do it yourself. I am so exhausted, even more now that I am teaching a younger age group, and having her come in is wonderful. It's much cheaper here in Mexico. I pay $200 pesos for the day, which is about $18 USD. Some house cleaners charge $150, but I think because she services this area, she charges more. I would say if you can afford it, go for it. We just pick up after ourselves, and she does the heavy cleaning.
My friend has a girl who comes in every day and cooks, cleans, and does laundry. She has her own room in the house, but only stays when needed. She charges $1200MXN/week, so a little under $100USD for the week. I would love to have someone do my cooking too!
My sister in law lost her job do she has come by maybe once a month. However, the longer I wait the more obligated I feel. She cleaned this past week, organized our closets and my husbands man cave. She told me to give her what I felt was reasonable. I knew organizing would be a headache. So we offered $75.00 but paid her $80. If she comes weekly it's normally $25.00. She doesn't have time to wash our clothes. Normally one or two loads. By the way it's only me and my husband.
Like others have said, this is definitely 100% dependent on region and size of the house, so you'll have to ask around your area.