How much do you pay your housekeeper?

[scoutie]

But had to laugh when someone said they pay on taxes that money is free and clear with my girl Sophie and crew

Many housekeepers do claim their money, though, and do pay taxes. Mine always did.

I know plenty are paid under the table. I was just trying to point out that $40 for three hours of work as suggested by another poster, wasn't necessarily generous--that there are a lot of expenses that the poster might not have thought of.

 

[hlg22]

$150 every two weeks, for a 1700 sq. ft. house in a major metro area, 3 BR, 2.5 BA. My housekeeper brings 3-4 helpers and they are at the house about 2 hours total each visit. They also provide their own cleaning supplies.

Best money I've ever spent...

 

[emer95]

About 10 years ago I went back to work after having my kids, and we looked into getting a cleaning lady. I cannot remember what the cost was at that time, but I remember it cost "more than a Disney trip." That's how I gauge all of our expenses. So, no cleaning lady for us. My kids and husband suck it up and help out.

I wonder what it would cost now, ten years later? Looking at my pig sty house right now, I'm trying to decide which is more important to me... a clean house or Disney? Some days I'm not so sure!

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Depends on the area you live in I'm sure, but $75 for that amount of time does seem to be on the low-end. We hired some cleaning help when we had our previous home on the market and it was around $100 for a 2 hour cleaning job by a husband and wife couple. If she does a good job and you trust her in your home, I would consider giving her a raise.

 

[shopgirl72]

I provide all cleaning supplies, live in Midwest, she started at $55 five years ago. Cleaning is light as just my husband and I. I pay her an extra $70 to do blinds and inside windows, and always give her $70 for Xmas with small gift besides. Anything extra I pay extra.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

But had to laugh when someone said they pay on taxes that money is free and clear with my girl Sophie and crew...

I guess you assume that since your girl Sophie doesnt pay taxes that no housecleaner pay taxes?? Thats seems like an odd assumption.

One of my girlfriends cleans houses here in NH. She gets between 20.00-30.00 an hour for cleaning depending on what she is doing. She does pay taxes and brings all of her cleaning supplies. She has more people that want her to clean than she has time for!

Off topic, but many, many years ago, I babysat a couple children here at my home. I paid taxes on my meager wage. Not all independent workers don't pay taxes. Of course many don't, but not all!

 

[Laura66]

When I had one I paid 85/week for a 2400 sf home with a finished basement. I cleaned up clutter beforehand and she didn't do laundry or make beds. Always gave her a bonus (week of pay) on the holidays.
If you're happy with her give her a raise!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Can I ask what kinds of things your housekeeper does for you?

Also, do you have to be bonded?

 

[Caradana]

$18/hr. She does laundry, organizing, deep scrubs. She adores my girls. Some days it feels like the best money I spend

 

[CammelleandBre]

$156.56 weekly. A little over 4600 sq.ft. I use The Maids cleaning company.

 

[zurgswife]

I provide all cleaning supplies, live in Midwest, she started at $55 five years ago. Cleaning is light as just my husband and I. I pay her an extra $70 to do blinds and inside windows, and always give her $70 for Xmas with small gift besides. Anything extra I pay extra.

I cleaned for many years the rate was typically between 20-25 a hour. I think to know if what you are paying is fair and the going rate in your area you should to talk to friends and neighbors who also might be getting cleaning done for them.

 

[violetrose]

We pay $125 every other week for a 5 bedroom 3 bath home. That is relatively cheap for my area, most of my neighbors pay at least $150. My housekeeper is great too, she really gets in and deep cleans so if she asked for a raise I would give it to her.

 

[ForMyBoys]

I pay $120 for a 3 to 4 hour cleaning every other week. $70 sounds super cheap to me!

It is about $100-150 around here.


I should give my husband a raise.

Yeah but are you guys quoting cleaning companies or paying an individual? I think it would vary.

I pay $85 for cleaning every other week through molly maids. Two or three people come in and they are here about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to get the job done. Then I tip them, so really I'm paying between $90 to $95. They don't clean my whole house, they focus on living areas, kitchen, bathrooms and vacuuming. The stuff I have a hard time getting to.


However they are hired through a company and I know the company has overhead, they make sure cleaners get to my house so I don't have to worry about a cleaner not showing up. They also have insurance coverage so I can't get sued if something happens to one of them while working on my house.

If you are paying an individual housekeeper who doesn't have insurance I think the rate you are paying is very reasonable. Cleaning materials are not that expensive considering how far they go.

BUT I would say if you've had this cleaner for a while I would expect to raise what you pay them on an annual basis, at a minimum. And I would give gifts at holidays to show appreciation for what they do.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I pay $60 for 3 hours - 1 bedroom NYC apartment. We supply all the cleaning products.

 

[Keli]

I have a good friend who does this for a living. She doesn't feel a house is worth her time if she doesn't clear $20 an hour or so. And if someone doesn't give her a raise every so often she will drop that house.
But she works faster/harder than anyone I've ever seen and she is in great demand so she can drop a house and pick another up pretty quickly if she chooses. Also, she is honest, none of her clients have to worry about her stealing or helping someone else steal from them.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Yeah but are you guys quoting cleaning companies or paying an individual? I think it would vary.

My $100-150 quote was for one lady (in demand) for our area in the L.A. suburbs. We have a 1600 sq foot apartment, 2 beds, 2 baths. I don't PAY this, my husband does a lot and I do what's left,we don't have a cleaner. This is what the lady who works in our apartment complex quotes, so not a cleaning company. The higher rate is if you have pets.

 

[ArmyWife7]

I live on the Gulf Coast and pay $70 every other week for about 3 hours of work. She uses my supplies and my house is about 2500 square feet.

 

[burnurcomputer]

I pay $25, for two hours every two weeks. It's my friends business, she supplies all cleaning items and vacuum. When you take out taxes and the cost/ wear and tear for her vehicle, it's not as much as it seems

 

[Poohforyou]

I haven't had a cleaning service since I stopped working full time over 10 years ago. Back then I paid $75 every 2 weeks.

From the thread title I thought you were talking about a full time salaried person who keeps your house not someone who just comes in to clean 2x a month.

 

[Robbi]

$75/4 hours 2x week for all cleaning and sometimes she cooks too.
We also paid to have her house remodeled.