Cleaning Lady

[jdb in AZ]

I'm trying out a new cleaning lady. The last one came two weeks ago, then canceled the next appointment last-second claiming she doesn't want to work in this part of town. (Nothing wrong with the area -- she supposedly just doesn't want to drive that far.) The first/only time she was here she had cleaned for three hours and left a lot undone. DD and a friend cleaned the rest.

Another cleaning lady (a friend had arranged cleaning after I had surgeries) was able to efficiently clean the whole house in 4 hrs.

Today's cleaning lady stopped by and gave us an estimate of 3-3 1/2 hrs but has been here six. Would you pay her extra for being extra thorough, or just pay the agreed-upon amount because she's so slow? Also if i use her again it will be with the stipulation that she does what she can in four hours then catches up the remainder the next time.

 

[clh2]

I would ask, I would hate for there to be a misunderstanding on day 1. My guess is she is doing a deep clean, but you know what can be said about assuming anything!

Perhaps you and her need to come up with a list of “must-do every time tasks” along with a rotating list of periodic cleaning tasks.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I would ask, I would hate for there to be a misunderstanding on day 1. My guess is she is doing a deep clean, but you know what can be said about assuming anything!

Perhaps you and her need to come up with a list of “must-do every time tasks” along with a rotating list of periodic cleaning tasks.

I gave her a written list on the day she "interviewed."

 

[Imzadi]

I think you need to be very clear on whether the cleaning lady is being hired by the HOUR or by the PROJECT. For example, by the room, and will take as long as it will take her until she's done. But she will only receive the agreed upon rate of, say $120 for the whole room.

If she gave you an estimate of how long it will take, WHY is she still working way beyond that time? I would have stopped her at the 4 hour mark and asked if she was done and mentioned the estimate SHE gave you. I wouldn't have let her continue for nearly twice the amount of time without getting some clarity on what she's expecting for that extra time. Also, what if you had to go somewhere at the 4 hour mark?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Are you getting your home cleaned consistently?
Or is it a while in between cleanings?

Because maintenance cleanings are going to be easier/faster than need a big deep clean every time.

Also it may be a good idea to have the person do a walk through as part of the interview so they can see what they are working with not just a list to give an appropriate estimate.

If you want it to be a certain amount of time then give the time frame and say whatever you can get to in this time.

Or split the list in half and ask if she can come Monday for abc and Wednesday for xyz.

Or hire an agency that has multiple people that come at the same time.

While this is their job you have to be mindful that they are human and do get tired from doing the physical work like you or I would.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thanks for your help. I did pay her extra (she didn't ask but she earned it) but from now on she'll be limited to four hours to get as much done as she can, then leave the rest for another day.

 

[tvguy]

Thanks for your help. I did pay her extra (she didn't ask but she earned it) but from now on she'll be limited to four hours to get as much done as she can, then leave the rest for another day.

A friend interviewed cleaning people and all charged by the hour, not the job. The lady she went with is $20 an hour, and the first deep cleaning of a two bedroom apartment took 8 hours. My friend was there the entire time and said that lady was working all eight hours. But that including cleaning out a refrigerator packed with Lord knows how old leftovers, wiping down ceilings and walls, and doing laundry. Friend and her mom have mobility issues and it just got out of hand.

 

[DodgerGirl]

When it comes to hiring a cleaning lady or housekeeping service it is best to look into reviews of the housekeeping service to make sure that there aren't any complaints against the company, My grandmother used to have a cleaning lady do housekeeping and she would come in the afternoons to clean my grandmother's house and even cook meals before she would leave and my grandmother liked having someone who could help her clean and cook. But one time when my grandmother's housekeeper was sick and couldn't clean her house another housekeeper took her place and she was late and couldn't follow the instructions my grandmother gave her and the last thing she did was steal things from my grandmother. But when my grandmother got her housekeeper back she was happy because she really thought her housekeeper was awesome and she was a great cook and my grandmother had her until my grandmother passed away. You could also try looking at cleaning services like Merry Maids or Molly Maid and call them and ask what their prices are
Dodger

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks for your help. I did pay her extra (she didn't ask but she earned it) but from now on she'll be limited to four hours to get as much done as she can, then leave the rest for another day.

I think this was the right call. I expect the first time was a "catch up" clean getting things to her own standards, and now she will be able to maintain it in the time she expects it to take.

 

[Imzadi]

Are you getting your home cleaned consistently?
Or is it a while in between cleanings?

Because maintenance cleanings are going to be easier/faster than need a big deep clean every time.

I think this was the right call. I expect the first time was a "catch up" clean getting things to her own standards, and now she will be able to maintain it in the time she expects it to take.

Yes, deep cleanings take a lot longer than maintenance cleaning. Once everything is cleaned, they don't all become dirty again at the same time or to the same level. Some items just take a simple swipe or swish and it's done. Whereas for a deep cleaning, where a longer time has passed since the last cleaning, EVERY item needs to be cleaned and sometimes scrubbed on all four sides or soaked for a bit as the dirt, grime, oils have become stuck on. If something is really dirty or grimy, it could take a couple times going over it. All that takes extra time.

I think you did the right thing in paying her extra for her time - if she really cleaned well, which you say she has. I've heard a great cleaner is often hard to find and KEEP. Some people steal each other's cleaning ladies as they are so good. You want to reward her for her hard work so she will want to keep coming back. Otherwise, her schedule will be filled with other customers who do appreciate her.

Letting her know that she CAN leave items on the list to next time will be a relief to her. Then she can plan more efficiently the time she does have and how she wants to work, versus going down the list thinking those items are listed in importance to you.

 

[TippyThomas]

I'm just curious and this seems like a good place to ask something I've always wondered about.

I'd probably have to stop myself from cleaning up for the cleaner if that makes any sense. I've never had a cleaner so I wondered how you stop yourself from doing that? My cleaner would love me.

 

[gmi3804]

I'm just curious and this seems like a good place to ask something I've always wondered about.

I'd probably have to stop myself from cleaning up for the cleaner if that makes any sense. I've never had a cleaner so I wondered how you stop yourself from doing that? My cleaner would love me.

When we had a housekeeper, we'd tidy up so it'd be easier to get to the surfaces to be cleaned, but wouldn't go so far as to clean bathrooms or vacuum or dust. We tend to live pretty neatly, and not leave a lot of stuff around.

Now we're in a condo, and just do it ourselves. It's easy if you clean as you use things, so you only need to deep clean every so often.

 

[barkley]

You could also try looking at cleaning services like Merry Maids or Molly Maid and call them and ask what their prices are

I would reccommend looking at LOCAL merry maid reviews before considering them-some people adore them but on a nationwide basis they have pretty bad reviews. I had 2 experiences with them (different cities/different franchises) and neither were satisfactory. I just did an online search of reviews and it looks like experiences can vary tremendously depending on locations.

best housekeeping experience I ever had was through a local janitorial company. their bread and butter was buisnesses but they also did a handful of private homes. the owner came in and did an eyeballing of our home, asked our expectations and gave us a flat price for what we jointly agreed to as the 'regular basic servicing'. if I wanted certain periodic things done (exterior windows, anything that entailed an extension ladder like cleaning plant shelves or windows at top of cathedral cielings) that would entail arranging ahead of time and an additional charge. i value paying a bit more to make sure someone is licensed, insured and bonded as well-yes, there's the issue of being concerned about theft and someone being injured on your property but if you get someone who decides it's easier/faster to slide something out of the way vs. picking it up off of and setting it safely aside when dusting a nice piece of furniture you will appreciate this kind of protection/coverage when you learn how much entirely refinishing the top of that piece of furniture will cost