House Cleaning Services

[Donaldswife]

I am thinking about hiring someone to clean our house 1X per week. My husband started a job this summer where he travels out of town 90% of the time, and with DD8, two dogs, my full time job and other activities I need help!

For those out there that use a cleaning service, what type of price range do you pay (if you are willing to share, or PM)? I have an 1800 square foot home, 3 br, 2 1/2 bath, with 2 adults, 1 child and 2 small dogs in the house. I would want someone to come in once a week and clean from top to bottom. Baseboards, windows, behind the couch, laundry room, bathrooms, everything. Anyone know what questions I should ask and what might be considered a normal price range?

If anyone has any recommendations for cleaning services or people in the south Indy metro area those would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

 

[akcire]

I am thinking about hiring someone to clean our house 1X per week. My husband started a job this summer where he travels out of town 90% of the time, and with DD8, two dogs, my full time job and other activities I need help!

For those out there that use a cleaning service, what type of price range do you pay (if you are willing to share, or PM)? I have an 1800 square foot home, 3 br, 2 1/2 bath, with 2 adults, 1 child and 2 small dogs in the house. I would want someone to come in once a week and clean from top to bottom. Baseboards, windows, behind the couch, laundry room, bathrooms, everything. Anyone know what questions I should ask and what might be considered a normal price range?

If anyone has any recommendations for cleaning services or people in the south Indy metro area those would be appreciated as well.

Thanks!

We haven't had anyone in a while. The lady we used fell off a chair at another clients home and retired, so I am the cleaning lady.

I would suggest instead of a service (which would include a rotation of people coming in your house) that you ask around and find one or two ladies to clean. Just ask your friends and neighbors.

I could find someone new, I am just too lazy to interview anyone; and I was spoiled rotten by our previous cleaner. She was a nut, and I mean it in a good way. She would clean things I would never even think about. Through the years I found her: pulling out the stereo components to dust, removing the knobs on stove--basically anything to clean, dusting ceiling fans, etc. More than that I completely trusted her, she just liked to stay active.

I would expect for your house size that it will cost you $75-$100 a week. Also you may not need weekly cleaning. My lady told me my house was "too clean" for weekly cleanings and came every other week.

By comparison my father-in-law has a service and it is like a revolving door. Also I don't think they do a very good job, but I am picky.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I have a cleaning lady who comes every other week. She charges me $85 each time for my 3000 sq ft house. She thoroughly cleans every room, except the playroom (that's my kids' responsibility) and only the guest room if I'm about to have guests or have just had guests. She changes the sheets on all of our beds, washes the towels, organizes my pantry, and usually takes on another "big" project each time. One time she cleaned my oven, another she organized one of my closets. She does an amazing job and she loves my dog too!

I "found" her through the school where I work. Her kids were in my classes one year. She also worked part time in the school cafeteria one year; therefore I knew she had had a background check. I know her well enough to feel completely comfortable with her in my home, but not well enough that I feel awkward with her seeing my mess!

It took me a long time to get to the point of not feeling guilty for not being able to do it all. I'm over it now, though! I love coming home on cleaning day - it feels like Christmas to me!

 

[Donaldswife]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to start doing some asking around to see if anyone uses anyone now that they like. I called a service and they said ballpark $90-120 a week. I was thinking more like $70-90....

My DH is having a hard time with letting someone else into his house each week, but I don't think he understands how much I do while he is gone. I only get to see him on Saturdays and I don't want the two of us to be spending all that time cleaning. Maybe I am lazy, but I don't want to spend hours each week cleaning. I already do all the laundry, daily cleanup, errand running, homework checking, taxi driving for DD8, and try to keep myself sane, rested and exercised each week. Something has got to give, and to me this seems like the simplest solution.

 

[kt_mom]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to start doing some asking around to see if anyone uses anyone now that they like. I called a service and they said ballpark $90-120 a week. I was thinking more like $70-90....

My DH is having a hard time with letting someone else into his house each week, but I don't think he understands how much I do while he is gone. I only get to see him on Saturdays and I don't want the two of us to be spending all that time cleaning. Maybe I am lazy, but I don't want to spend hours each week cleaning. I already do all the laundry, daily cleanup, errand running, homework checking, taxi driving for DD8, and try to keep myself sane, rested and exercised each week. Something has got to give, and to me this seems like the simplest solution.

I'm in a somewhat similar situation. My DH doesn't travel for work but he does work 80 or so hours a week. So I end up doing and keeping up with all of the day to day stuff. Plus I work full time and try to spend some time with my kids. DH works weekends so he's working when I'm home but I don't want to spend my whole day off cleaning when I could be spending time with my little ones. DH finally agreed to let me get some quotes but I haven't had a chance yet. He used to be totally against it mostly because of the expense. But I think he sees that I just can't keep up with it all anymore. Good luck finding someone!

 

[mjkacmom]

One or two women wll always be cheaper than a service. For a service around here, I would say at least $125, and I've never had the cleaning ladies do windows, move furniture, clean baseboards or windows. However, I once paid 2 women $200 to do a one-time deep cleaning like you describe. I only paid my last ladies $70, but they did the minimum, used my products, never moved a thing, never cleaned my blinds, and even left my dirty rags forme to wash. However, most charge $100+, so I put up with it. My kids are in school fulltime, I'm a SAHM, so it's all me!

 

[bicker]

We pay $115 every other week. 2 br/2.5 bath.