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Expectations of a Housecleaner

Started 2 years ago by AlkiRagdoll
Latest reply from jenny12

AlkiRagdoll
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Advice needed -- I have a very expensive house cleaner that is progressively not cleaning as well as was done a year ago when he started. Plus I a seeing some damage from bumping into walls. Help manage my expectations. When I hired this housecleaner, I went through a long list of my expectations, noting that if the cleaner did what I asked, we would all be happy. I dont need deep cleaning on every room, every week. Rather I was hoping that one room would be picked each week, and an intensive clean for that room, and a lighter clean for the rest of the house. I also emphasized straightening up being very desireable. Its not a big home (1,200 sqft), 1 1/2 bath, and I pay for 4 hrs each week. 10 yrs ago I used Dana's and the house cleaner did a perfect job, even doing laundry. Unfortunately, this cleaner left Dana's and the replacements (I tried about 5 different) and they just were not what this earlier cleaner was. I let Dana's go a few yrs ago, because they were not reliable and the last person assigned was breaking nicknacks and not telling me (I found items glued together). Despite Dana's being bonded and insured, they were not interested in paying for the broken items.

Anyone have good luck? What does your housecleaner actually do each visit? Are my expectations too high? I manage people at work and really dont want to manage a house cleaner. Suggestions welcomed.

Posted 2 years ago #
swimcat
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I'm having the same problem so I have no advice!! I'm kind of highjacking this post, but I'm curious what others pay for their housecleaning? I only get the main floor cleaned, which is 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 900 square feet, mostly carpeted floors. I pay $75 each visit- this does not include laundry either. I have a feeling this is a high rate so I'm curious what others pay...

Posted 2 years ago #
Irukandji
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$15 an hour per person. We are lucky to have a small group of young women from Cynthia's Cleaning for about 6-7 hours every other week and they do a fantastic job. They are not maids, per se, but do a lot of things I wouldn't expect - taking out trash, changing sheets, straightening up and folding clean laundry I haven't gotten to. They are fabulously reliable and very kind.

Posted 2 years ago #
AlkiRagdoll
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I'm not comfortable posting what I pay, but it is quite a bit higher than $75 per visit. However, I expect him to take out the trash,change sheets, place dirty lines in Washer (dont turn it on), and place out fresh linens, sweep around the kitty litter box. Is that considered maid service? I thought that is what a house cleaner did.

Posted 2 years ago #
JanS
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hmmm....when I cleaned house in another lifetime, quite some time ago, I had no problem with taking trash out, I changed the sheets at some houses, put out clean linens if that's what they wanted, but I did not clean up after pets...that wasn't my job. I had one couple that I cleaned for whose dogs frequently left small presents on the floor..I stopped cleaning there...that's not my job.And these were prominent people, down on Beach Drive. If it's just a little kitty litter around the box, the vacuum should take care of that...if it's more, then I can understand why he might not do it. Were these things agreed upon when you first hired him? If so, then he should be doing what you want done, I say.

Posted 2 years ago #
sam-c
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This is an interesting thread. I've never had a house cleaner, but have been wanting one lately.
do they wipe down/ clean base boards? walls? My aunt used to talk about picking up before the house cleaner came. like, picking clutter up and putting it away so the house cleaner can deep clean everything. floors, counter tops, window sills, etc. isn't that what they do? vacuum the sofa...

Posted 2 years ago #
Irukandji
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Cleaning services really vary in the services they provide. Some of the larger operations will go through a checklist with you room by room for what you expect to have done each visit, what needs special or only occasional attention. Others may look at your home and just quote a flat price without going into any detail at all unless you set out specifically what you want done.
.
My expectation upon hiring a cleaning team was just cleaning, the deep clean so I can focus on doing the daily stuff of keeping a household going and semi-organized. When the cleaning team on their own did the extra stuff, I was thrilled. It makes it a real treat to come home when they've been here. Just like home, only better :).

Posted 2 years ago #
hammerhead
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I don't want to seem like I am advertising but NOT ONLY do I do baseboards we are on our hands and knees mopping. Most of my clients "pick up" before we get there, other wise we are putting away clothes, toys ect, which costs time. I have a crew of 3-4 come and we out in about an hour or so.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
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hammerhead..

you do baseboards? does that mean you use the crevice tool too? does your crew deep clean one room each visit? what about windows?

perhaps we need to talk.

Posted 2 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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Hammerhead is amazing!! She not only does basebaords, but my stove, microwave and fridge always look brand new after she leaves. She has made my life so much easier.

Posted 2 years ago #
kellym
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Hammerhead...do you have a website or someway to give cost estimates? Hourly rates? I'd love to have someone do the down and dirty stuff once or twice a month and then I can keep up with the rest.

Posted 2 years ago #
c
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we have used Customized Cleaners for the last 7 yrs. I can not recommend them enough. They are a husband and wife team from here in West Seattle. They are licensed, bonded, insured.

I know they usually don't have openings but you could give them a call.

Posted 2 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
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KellyM, when pamela (hammerhead) first started @ our house. She came by and gave a cost estimate. there was a one time deep clean prepping the house for her services. Now she comes every other week with her team. we have a 3 bedroom 2.25 bath house and it is $120 every other week. It is pretty comparable to other services. We had used another guy in our townhome which was a little bit smaller every other week and he charged $95.00. The nice thing about Pamela too is that she brings her own cleaning supplies which is more convenient for us. Best of luck to you.

Posted 2 years ago #
hammerhead
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dont' really want to tell everyone what i charge, it is MORE the 15.00 per hr.

Job: crevice tool? i just use my wand, then wipe with a wet rag. window sill: when window is closed i wipe that general window sill but area when window is open well that is usually really dirty and can do but will take extra time. i can do in/outside of windows where i can reach. i not a professional window cleaner but i do alright so i have been told:)

kellym: no website to expensive. but can certainly come over and give you a bid and tell you what i would clean ect.no charge of course.

licensed insured

Posted 2 years ago #
charlabob
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Pamela is truly amazing -- her crew is fast and thorough and good. We have specific challenges in our home (and we can't afford the frequency of cleaning that we'd like.) We're both picky (about different things) and they take care of all of it. And they're cheerful (something I can't manage when I try to do it myself.)

Fees are reasonabler and comparable... we always feel we're getting a bargain.

Posted 2 years ago #
KR
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Hammerhead, would you feel comfortable posting a way to contact you? I am looking for a house cleaner :)

Posted 2 years ago #
aunteesocial
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When I had a house cleaning business in Oregon 12 years ago'94-'97 my going rate was $15/hr (per person, usually solo, but for the 2000+ sq ft type homes I might bring an assistant). A professional house cleaner can do alot in 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or an amazing amount in 3-4 hours per week or bi-weekly. If I were to hire someone now, I would think it would be at the very least $25+/hour. There is a lot involved, not just the easy (ha, no such thing) cleaning- scheduling, driving/travel time, cleaning supplies, license/bonding, laundry (of own cleaning linens), not to mention the tremendous amount of responsibility and trust involved that one should take in to account.
I've often thought about how much people pay for a haircut? I have paid $45-$70 for a great cut- and I'm out of the salon in about 30 minutes. Not trying to start a debate about house cleaning and hair styling-- but it's just the value that we place on services provided.
House cleaning is terribly hard work even when you are very physically fit. It's not easy lugging vacuum cleaners up and down stairs, or detailed scrubbing in all kinds of uncomfortable positions, breathing cleaning solutions (including non-toxic) and breathing dust, etc. To be detail oriented, to clean areas your customer might not even notice (toaster crumbs, "grooming" carpets), and being efficient takes a skilled person.
Also, I would suggest to find a person that would use non-toxic or less-toxic, and nice smelling cleaning products. There is so many nice products available on the market now that are not Pine-Sol, Ajax or 409. You don't want to gas out your cleaner or yourself.
As for picking up before your cleaning person gets there- it's up to you as to how you want to spend your money.
I don't anyone is setting their expectations too high, as long as it is understood by all parties. My clients ranged from people who kept spotless houses just wanting that maintained and doing a load of laundry while there, to being asked to clean rooms each week that no one uses, to people with 3 kids that had zero time in their lives to 'pick up' before I got there, to pet people, cheerios everywhere babies, crazy ladies, a lady that wanted her apt. to smell heavily of Pine-Sol, and when I lived in Arkansas briefly-- a former Miss Arkansas. Each home is different.
Just communicate your needs and give feedback.
Anyway- this topic takes me back... good luck everyone!

Posted 2 years ago #
JanS
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KR..contact her at 206-972-3557..:)

Posted 2 years ago #
hammerhead
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Thanks jan yes you can give me a call.
pamela

Posted 2 years ago #
Oliver
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I think your expectations would easily be met by Pamela Brummel. I recently hired her after reading all of the reviews on the blog. I can assure you that the rave reviews appear to be legitimately earned. Pamela is a real professional and good communicator, making her a pleasure to work with. Most importantly, my house looked awesome after her first visit.

Posted 2 years ago #
jenny12
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Thanks for letting me know about Pamela and all your other thoughts. In response to Sam-C, I find that picking up certain types of clutter is helpful. Sure if the housecleaner knows exactly where to put things then you can leave them out (like toys for the a chest or dishes for the cupboard). But often there is clutter than they don't know where it goes, like paperwork
on the kitchen island - or bags of stuff you just bought at Target piled on the dining table. I sometimes just tell them to leave my desk alone, if it is a pile of projects and papers! But usually, I am reluctantly "glad" for the motivation to pick up my clutter around the house.
Good luck everyone!

Posted 2 years ago #