topic Re: Cleaning help question in Home

Cleaning help question

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 13:20:14 GMT

How would you price this out? By the hour or by the day or the project?

I have decided to take a day a month and 'deep clean' a room. Not that the house is filthy but I want to clean and organize each room, give a thorough dusting, clean the baseboards, windows, under and behind things, etc.

We do not smoke, the house is just a few years old, and only the 2 of us in the house, but dust and dirt still accumulates.

So I decided to hire a 'cleaning helper' for lack of a better word to spend a few hours with me once a month to help me with this project. I can spend more time organizing (throwing out) things while they clean.

I have a few people coming out to see the house and meet me and provide we a quote. But I started to think, why not just charge an hourly rate? I have not had a regular house cleaner in a few years so things may have changed.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Re: Cleaning help question

Mominohio — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 13:33:01 GMT

i'm sure you will get quotes that come in 'by the hour', and some by the day. If this is affordable for you to do, I'd concentrate less on the cost, and more on getting someone you can trust, and that you feel understand just what you are trying to accomplish.

I am not at all suggesting that you aren't clean or don't keep a good house, but if I were doing this, hiring in some help for this big project, I'd consider a deeper cleaning than what you are mentioning above. I'd consider having the person you hire actually wash the walls and baseboards, perhaps steam clean the carpets (if you have them) or use a shine agent on the tile or wood floors. Have them remove light fixtures and clean them, and even pull off outlet and switch covers and clean behind them. If there are curtains or drapes, have them washed, ironed and put back up (or to the dry cleaners if that is necessary).

If you are going to go deep, might as well really do it all at once. It will involve more cost, and perhaps not all rooms need that deep of a cleaning, but I'd consider it while you are going into things this far anyway.

Good luck on your search for help, and happy organizing!

Re: Cleaning help question

Snoopp — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 13:36:20 GMT

What a good idea. I think I might do hourly - if you think it is a 6- 7 hour project or longer I might do flat fee.

I would love to do this but it's hard to find help.

Re: Cleaning help question

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 13:46:01 GMT

Thanks Mominohio,

Trust, reliability, insured, and bonded are our top priority. All come with great references from people we know.

Our window coverings, windows (inside and out) and window screens and carpets are all professionally cleaned on a regular basis since we built the house. (except for the HW floor which only I clean).

Walls, baseboards and light fixtures are part of 'in-depth cleaning' per the people I called and have appt with.

I have found many people I contacted have very long lists of cleaning they DO NOT DO. It has been interesting!

Re: Cleaning help question

Abrowneyegirl — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 13:47:48 GMT

On 4/3/2015 snoops said:
What a good idea. I think I might do hourly - if you think it is a 6- 7 hour project or longer I might do flat fee.

I would love to do this but it's hard to find help.

I am thinking 4 hours 5 tops per project.

Yes it is very hard to find people, very hard......

Re: Cleaning help question

Marsha2003 — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:14:03 GMT

I'm guessing that an hourly rate with a minimum number of hours guaranteed might be the most attractive offer. It's quite difficult, I've found, to find someone who wants to do the hard work. Most cleaners want to vacuum the middle of the floor and wave their feather duster around the rooms like a fairy godmother. Gee, I can do that. I would love to find someone who would deep clean.

Re: Cleaning help question

Goldenmoher — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 23:12:16 GMT

I just had my 3 story home deep cleaned before putting it on the market. I hired a family recommended by my financial advisor and was so pleased.. The did all the windows inside and out, woodwork, floors, bathrooms, carpet and upholstery cleaned and even swept the front porch and walk. They are a property management company and can handle all kinds of home issues. I asked if they would consider a monthly routine cleaning once I move, and they will do it for $70.00 for an average sized home. Very reasonable for this area.

Re: Cleaning help question

stevieb — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 01:34:00 GMT

Where I live, most of the cleaners, both individuals and those with services, are doing things by the half day... They'll negotiate around frequency, but you're pretty much into buying a half day of cleaning services.

Re: Cleaning help question

Abrowneyegirl — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 03:13:00 GMT

On 4/3/2015 Goldenmoher said: I just had my 3 story home deep cleaned before putting it on the market. I hired a family recommended by my financial advisor and was so pleased.. The did all the windows inside and out, woodwork, floors, bathrooms, carpet and upholstery cleaned and even swept the front porch and walk. They are a property management company and can handle all kinds of home issues. I asked if they would consider a monthly routine cleaning once I move, and they will do it for $70.00 for an average sized home. Very reasonable for this area.

Oh this would be a dream, but I know it is not to be...sigh.

Last time I had regular cleaners was a few years ago and we paid $89.00 for a husband and wife couple for 1 HOUR and they only:

vacuumed the living room rug,

cleaned the master bath and a powder room

Swiffered the other floors on the first floor.

The rest of the house was not touched, ever! They had a list like the Declaration of Independence of everything they did not do.

They dropped me and my neighbor because they had more than enough customers in 2 other communities and did not want to drive to our community due to gas prices! It was no real loss for me.

I know prices have only gone up. But the time saving of having someone help me clean/organize for a 1/2 day once a month will be well worth it.

Re: Cleaning help question

AnikaBrodie — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 04:16:07 GMT

Our local grocery store has a bulletin board near the check out aisle and sometimes people advertise cleaning services there. You may want to check this out for your local store. We live in an area that has a number of Mennonite families and sometimes they serve as cleaning ladies. Some of them are excellent cleaners. I have no idea what they charge.

Another suggestion would be to check with your local interior designer store. They often hire cleaning services for various projects and may be a good resource for you.

Re: Cleaning help question

Lynnj — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 19:27:38 GMT

On 4/3/2015 Abrowneyegirl said:
On 4/3/2015 snoops said:
What a good idea. I think I might do hourly - if you think it is a 6- 7 hour project or longer I might do flat fee.

I would love to do this but it's hard to find help.

I am thinking 4 hours 5 tops per project.

Yes it is very hard to find people, very hard......

Is it hard because you are contacting people listed as cleaners? Well most of those people don't clean in the way you are describing as the need. Maybe it would be easier if you looked under the category as organizer, or odd job/helping hand assistant. If you have a school around you, maybe community college or something like that, maybe post a help wanted note with the job resource center.

Re: Cleaning help question

Goldenmoher — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 01:34:34 GMT

You may want to check with a local realtor if you know one. They always have people that do odd jobs, cleaning, household repairs etc. and you'll know they are reputable b/c otherwise the realtors wouldn't use them. I think getting a referral is the best way, that way you know the quality of the work.

Re: Cleaning help question

ID2 — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 10:21:18 GMT

Wow I guess I'm in the wrong business. We just put our house on the market a few weeks ago. I was the one to deep clean it! Me. All by myself. JMO But I personally would never waste money for some stranger to come in my home to help clean?? But my home is not excessively dirty, I'm not a hoarder, mine just needed the slight de-cluttering and getting in the corners type of dirty. My house is so spic and span now and it shows great! Already have an offer. Yippee!!

Re: Cleaning help question

fthunt — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 14:15:03 GMT

My advise: on your plan. Before the cleaning person arrives, throw out what you want to - then get out of the way and let that person clean. After that's done and she/he leaves - then you organize.

Trying to make your decisions on 'throwing out' and organizing while cleaning is going on - you'll be in their way and you'll be distracted. You have to plan like step 1 - then step 2 and finally step 3..........not all 3 things at once.

Think it through before acting.

Re: Cleaning help question

jackthebear — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 14:19:43 GMT

On 4/7/2015 fthunt said:
My advise: on your plan. Before the cleaning person arrives, throw out what you want to - then get out of the way and let that person clean. After that's done and she/he leaves - then you organize.

Trying to make your decisions on 'throwing out' and organizing while cleaning is going on - you'll be in their way and you'll be distracted. You have to plan like step 1 - then step 2 and finally step 3..........not all 3 things at once.

Think it through before acting.

That sounds like a good plan,