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(19 posts)

Cost of housecleaning

Started 1 year ago by greydog
Latest reply from carter

greydog
Member Profile

I see lots of great suggestions for house cleaners on this site and before I start calling places I was wondering if someone could give me a "ballpark" price to expect. I'm 8.5 mos pregnant and am looking for someone to do 2-3 times a month of cleaning wood floors and dusting a 700 square foot area. We have the rest handled (laundry, bathrooms, kitchen, etc). I just have no idea what is reasonable for this sort of thing. Is it usually an hourly rate? 20/hour, 50/hour?

Posted 1 year ago #
thee
Member Profile

it really depends -- most honest operators will come to your house and give you an estimate/quote after seeing what they'll be up against. give rachel at "you've got it maid" a call. she's here in west seattle, does great work and is super nice.
206-719-1647

Posted 1 year ago #
hammerhead
Member Profile

Greydog, there is a first time clean which is always going to be more. in/outside of cabinets, inside of refrig if necessary, then maintained. Yes it is generally an hourly rate, I do have a minimum.

full baths cobwebs, making your bed and taking out trash and recycle....my company does all floors by HAND, light plate switches, if you have pets, we wipe the walls where they rub up on, nose prints on windows. Each company is different.

Impeccable Cleaning Jr
972-3557

Posted 1 year ago #
greydog
Member Profile

Thanks, Thee! I'm calling Rachel today.

Hammerhead - sounds GREAT but I don't need my fridge, cabinets, bath, trash, etc. We only need help with a couple of things for a year or so.

I know different companies offer different things....I really just wanted to get an idea of ballpark price because I really have NO idea what to expect when I call.

Posted 1 year ago #
BZoo
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I have a very nice woman - extremely thorough and does what you ask - $17 per hour. Honest and trust worthy.

Posted 1 year ago #
greydog
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BZoo - great! That's exactly what I needed - just a ballpark and I realize it may be more $$ per case but I really had no idea. Can you email me her contact info or post it here? greydog6718@hotmail.com

Thank you so much!!!

Posted 1 year ago #
Semele
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The last person we used was $30/hr and that seemed to be about average.

Posted 1 year ago #
amalia
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My cat-sitter does house cleaning and he is wonderful - ping me here if you want his contact info.

Posted 1 year ago #
greydog
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Thanks for all the info, guys! I found a really nice woman for 50/hour that I'll likely go with who seems to be really flexible and understanding with our limited needs!

Posted 1 year ago #
Sue
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This has been helpful, as I've wondered what it cost as well (generally).

There's actually a DealPop special today for a green housecleaning service in Georgetown, $80 for $160 worth of cleaning (looks like that's 4 hours) if anybody's interested: https://www.dealpop.com/r/DFD43DD5

Only 35 left as of 7:15pm on 2/26. Their website (seattlegreencleaner.com) goes into a lot of detail about pricing, estimates, etc. which may help people in general with pricing, not just this company.

Posted 1 year ago #
vortex2.71
Member Profile

I have a small 800 sf house also and my experience with this is very interesting. I have found that most cleaners charge a flat fee of $80-100 for 4-5 hours. With a small house I've checked with them that they will in deed clean for 4 hours even if the house is small, but have never found this to be the case. They seem to vacuum, mop, dust, clean the kitchen, clean the bathroom and then leave after 2.5 to 3 hours. My expectation is that they pick a deep cleaning project every week to do to take up the other 1-1.5 hours, but I've never been able to find someone who will follow through with this. Does anyone have a recommendation of someone who will clean a house for about $20/hour for 4 hours and is willing to do some spring cleaning type projects to fill in the 4 hours?

Posted 1 year ago #
lucky chick
Member Profile

Call Elias (Eli) Frye! I just asked him, and he seems to think those rates are fine, and he is just SUPER (he's my house- and cat-sitter, also does landscaping and cleans). Come to think of it, he might combine house/yard work if you want. I totally trust him (he pretty much lives at our house when we're at our other house).
312-505-9431.

Posted 1 year ago #
kmweiner
Member Profile

I will again suggest Casa Latina. They will deliver trained workers and the price is about $15-$20 and hour. I've never been disappointed.
If you don't speak Spanish, just let them know you need and English speaker.
http://www.casa-latina.org/
Call 206.956.0779

Posted 1 year ago #
casaboba
Member Profile

Over the past six-years, once a month we have "on average" 4 ladies spend "on average" 3 hours cleaning our home for $100.00. (without gratuity) "On average," that is $8.34/Hr/person (without gratuity).

I would estimate that the "average" per person wage rate for house cleaning in Seattle is somewhere between $7.00 and $10.00 per person per hour.

Posted 1 year ago #
sydney
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I was charging $25 per four-hour job 25 years ago. I charge double that today.

Posted 1 year ago #
GenHillOne
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casaboba, that seems mildly insulting for professionals, but if you have someone that will do it - do they provide their own transportation and supplies too? - then I guess you've got a deal.

Posted 1 year ago #
casaboba
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GenHillOne - The individuals employed by the cleaning service we use are VERY professional. They are also VERY good. So good in fact, they are not accepting new clients at this time.

I guess if they felt insulted for what they charged they would charge more or do something else. They work very efficiently & effectively.

Don't be mislead by the "averages" I quoted. We supply ALL cleaning materials. They supply their own transportation. Gratuity consistently runs +20%.

Obviously, the house cleaning industry is very competitive. I appreciate the people we employ and hopefully they feel the same about our family.

Posted 1 year ago #
Jasperblu
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I have a housekeeper that comes at least once a month (usually twice a month). She charges $25 an hour and is here for 4 hours. She does the usual cleaning; floors swept/vacuumed/mopped, 3 full bathrooms, kitchen counters and sink, etc. And then I usually have a monthly "project" I have her tackle as well, like baseboards, or ceiling fans, etc. I provide ALL of the cleaning supplies. I don't pay a gratuity, but have given her a little extra at the end of the year for Xmas. Love her. She also babysits my daughter when needed. I pay her $15 an hour for that.

As for Cleaning Companies... I think it really depends on the company, and who they send. None of my friends who have used these types of cleaning/maid services have ever been happy with the results. And one in particular recently had a "Groupon" experience that convinced me to never hire someone that way. To each their own though! I found my housekeeper through another mom friend. I usually find personal referrals to be the best route, especially with regard to bringing someone into your home to clean around your personal things and valuables.

Posted 1 year ago #
carter
Member Profile

I have a team of two come in every two weeks for a thorough cleaning of my 3bd, 4 bth, 3400 sq ft home for $120.00 a visit. They do a good job and are very sweet and trustworthy.

Posted 1 year ago #