Hiring a house cleaning service

[carawestt]

I feel like a service would be a better deal, that's the case here at least. They usually charge under $100 for the entire house (depending on the sq ft) - vacuuming, dusting, bathrooms, floors, etc.

[laurack]

We pay our cleaning lady $90 for a cleaning, its just one person and it takes her about 3-4 hours (1200 square foot home). We only have her once a month now but I'd love to get her more often, maybe if/when we start earning a bit more.

We found her off a flyer in town, maybe not the best way to go about it... getting a referral would probably be ideal? but we've been very lucky! She does a great job and around here $90 isn't bad. For you it would surely be cheaper.

[devotchka]

Apr 8, 2013 15:13:37 GMT -5 @pcloadletter said:

So I've decided for Owen's party to hire someone to clean the house. Just the common areas where people might possibly be. We have so much going on with him and doctor visits and then getting the outside ready that I don't know if I can handle the house. Plus, I rarely have help to clean. What should I look for. Should I go for an individual or a team kind of service? I just called a lady and she couldn't give me a really good description of what she does. Give me pointers!

Good idea! I did this a few weeks ago because I was sick w/pneumonia (and then I swear I got M's hand/foot/mouth disease - ugh ) for like a month and couldn't handle doing much of anything. It was awesome. I actually hired an individual - she cleans at my Mom's house and is really good, sweet and for the area, her pricing is decent. I would ask around or maybe yelp it if I were you (but it depends on the area and if yelp is a good resource for you typically) - I personally like individuals because they are usually cheaper and more flexible than services, but it really depends! GL! 

[devotchka]

Apr 8, 2013 15:22:30 GMT -5 laurack said:

We pay our cleaning lady $90 for a cleaning, its just one person and it takes her about 3-4 hours (1200 square foot home). We only have her once a month now but I'd love to get her more often, maybe if/when we start earning a bit more.

We found her off a flyer in town, maybe not the best way to go about it... getting a referral would probably be ideal? but we've been very lucky! She does a great job and around here $90 isn't bad. For you it would surely be cheaper.

Similar here - ours was $80 but I tipped her. She actually charges my Mom $80 for a home that is 2x the size! I think it's because she cleans there every 2 weeks and it's much easier to clean there since she does such a good job (and I'm kind of a bad housekeeper).

[shevacc]

We have a two-person team who comes every 2 weeks and charges $75 for our 3 bed/2.5 bath house. They clean bathrooms, vacuum, sweep/mop, clean the kitchen counters and stovetop, and dust. They don't clean windows or stove regularly, but probably would if I asked. I basically pay $25/hour per person (so 1.5 hours for 2 people = $75).

ETA - $200 for 3-6 hours sounds really steep and I live in the Seattle area (expensive COL). I would ask them for an hourly rate, or ask around for other recommendations...I'd guess lots of people can come when you want them, or for less $$$ you could pay a babysitter, do it yourself, then treat yourself to a date night after the party...

We also pay $25/hour for landscapers to come once a year to do a major yard cleanup

[browneyedhunni85]

I wish I could have done this. I had so much going on around his party and having to work until 3 the Friday before and the hundreds of errands. I honestly look forward to the day he wants a party at Chuck E Cheese so I don't have to stress about getting the house ready. I hope you find someone good that isn't super expensive.

[gekeler6]

Are there any teens in the area looking for a job? A family friend, or a friend of a friend who would do a thorough house cleaning for a flat rate. I don't know much about maid services and what the restrictions are. I see the "Merry maids" driving around town a lot and always think to myself I want a maid

[Regina Philange]

Im getting one before Lou's party too! I am paying my lady 100 bucks. Instead of a per hour thing I just told her what I wanted done regardless of the time spent and we came to that price.

[Regina Philange]

Oh and I left out vacuuming. Cuz I can do that lickedy split.

[jaime183]

that sounds like a lot to me but I can see how they don't always do one time things. Will you be home while they clean? If so, someone on craigslist might be ok.

[teamhayes]

$200 seems steep to me. We are not on a regular service either so it costs more per visit but its under $200 and our home is over 2800. Sf. Its a team of 2.

This time of year landscapers do a spring cleanup but it is expensive - around $350 but worth it. They wake up the yard and fertilize, seed, etc. I think yard work is much more labor extensive than housework and by the time you buy all the lawwn products, tools, spreade etc the landscaper is paid for.

[Deleted]

Our cleaning person was a referral from a friend. We pay her $60. She cleans the entire kitchen, 2 1/2 bathrooms, and vacuumes my 3 story town home incld 2 stairs. She comes 1x per month.
Best.Decision.Ever!!!