Domestic help

[SeansMom]

I know this isn't exactly budget, but everyone here has been great with other questions. I'm thinking about hiring somebody 10-15 hours a week to help with a variety of general and specific chores. I'm wondering how much per hour would be fair to pay? BTW, we live in a rural area and cost of living is much lower than, say, Seattle, L.A., or another big city. Do you work and/or pay somebody and have an idea? Or just an opinion?
Thanks in advance .

 

[badblackpug]

What, specifically, will be their duties? Housekeeping or child care or both?

 

[Justsyd2]

We used to pay $8.00 an hour 9-10 years go for housekeeping when we lived in a rural area. I imagine it's gone up since then!!

 

[klynn]

$20. per hour.

 

[heatherleigh]

I think Klyn is right, the going rate is about $20 per hour. I have cleaners come to my house every other week and pay $80 for about 2.5-3 hrs. They have a 4 hr minimum, so even though it takes them less time, I pay $80. Their rate is $20 per hour.

 

[SeansMom]

Duties would not include any childcare, just light housekeeping and maybe some prep cooking. I've already placed an ad and gotten LOTS of response, and I placed it at $10.00 an hour but thought I'd offer more. $20.00 is a no-go as I'd like about 10 hours/week of help. (My life is complicated right now and includes being in the wonderful generation of those caring for kids and parents, plus I'm an ARNP student and have out of town rotations with 24 hour call, 'cause babies come when they want to!). So.....budget is tight, but I want to be fair.....perhaps I've answered my own question; I'll hire the person who can meet my needs at the price I can pay. BTW, $20.00 an hour would be top wage for anybody in this community outside of a professional with a degree; like I said, it's very rural.

 

[phred52]

I think Klyn is right, the going rate is about $20 per hour. I have cleaners come to my house every other week and pay $80 for about 2.5-3 hrs. They have a 4 hr minimum, so even though it takes them less time, I pay $80. Their rate is $20 per hour.

Quick question.....if there is a 4 hour minimum, why not add another hours worth of work for your cleaners? 4 hours of work for 4 hours of pay......

 

[Kay1]

My ex-MIL always hired high school girls to come over for a couple hours here and there to help with this and that. I don't think she paid a lot.

 

[ceecee]

There is really no way to get a good answer to this question on these boards. Rates differ dramatically according to your city/state.

 

[kid-at-heart]

It depends on where you live, does the person furnish their own supplies, is the person bonded or will your homeowner's insurance cover any breakage or injuries, etc. In our area, if you furnish the supplies and your homeowner's insurance covers everything, then the going rate is $8-$12 per hour depending on experience.

Again, in my area, the only ones being paid $20 an hour are those who work for cleaning agencies and then the agency is receiving a large chunk of that hourly wage.

 

[horseshowmom]

I also live in a rural area, and the going rate is $10 per hour (with the homeowner providing supplies, etc.).

I actually have a teenage boy who helps us out. He charges $8 per hour regardless of what he does. He cleans out our barn, unloads feed, cleans my house, picks up liimbs in the yard, etc. (whatever we need done). Generally, I add extra to the check because he does an exceptional job and doesn't waste time while he's working. Great kid!

 

[ohlas]

most cleaning companys pay about 1-1.50 over min wage which is 8.50-9.00 hour here near cleveland ohio ,,,, I think 10.00 is fair if you find someone that works well, good luck Im sure you will find someone good for your needs and family oh mary poppins where are you

 

[horseshowmom]

most cleaning companys pay about 1-1.50 over min wage which is 8.50-9.00 hour here near cleveland ohio ,,,, I think 10.00 is fair if you find someone that works well, good luck Im sure you will find someone good for your needs and family oh mary poppins where are you

My husband always says he wishes we could find an Aunt Bee!

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I did it for a while in a rural area. The homeowner supplied the cleaning products that they wanted used. The pay was $11 an hour. I thought it was fair. As long as the employer was not too demanding. I had one of those and it sucked the life right out of the whole thing. I did cleaning, laundry and various other duties.

 

[ohlas]

My husband always says he wishes we could find an Aunt Bee!

Mine wants a redheaded nanny lol I told him if he give me his blank when im not home lol he didnt like that idea so no nanny im so mean lol

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

$20. per hour.

That seems high to me. I was thinking more like $10-$12 per hour.

 

[SeansMom]

That seems high to me. I was thinking more like $10-$12 per hour.

I'm glad lots of you are stating the same price I was thinking. I'm hoping the right person has either already applied or will apply soon. BTW, I've gotten just a couple of wildly lame emails. Ex: "I really need the money so hire me". Uh. Yeah, obviously you need the money, but that statement doesn't get you an interview.

 

[growinupdisney]

I do this in the summer to help supplement when school is out (I'm teacher and coach)! I get $20 hr. I live in N.C. where cost of living is not that high. I work from June thru August.

 

[SeansMom]

I just wanted to thank eveyone for their input. I posted an ad on CL and got tons of response. I interviewed four people and found "the one", who was quite happy to accept $10.00 an hour to start. We'll adjust that up if she does well. It was interesting that the person I was most interested in was also the person who was willing to work for $10.00/hour. The person who wanted $20.00 an hour was also well qualified, but the personality match wasn't quite as good.
Anyway, thanks for the inpu .

 

[kid-at-heart]

Thanks for letting us know "the end of the story". I am glad you found a good personality match. It will make the situation more enjoyable for both of you.