Maid Service Questions

[HOOT]

I am not looking for recommendations on a company since I live in Victoria but rather some advice on what to look for.

Would you recommend a company or someone found in the classifieds?

What kind of cost am I looking at?

It's a 1200 sq.ft., 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom and a laundry room. I would guess it would take 2-3 hours max to do a good clean.

I was thinking of getting someone in once a week and wondering if I can keep the costs under a $100/week.

I know, I know, I'm a lazy but I would rather work an extra 2-3 hours a week to pay for this service then actually do it myself I'm a single guy and I'm just way too busy with work, gym, going out, etc.

Does anyone have any horror stories?

My biggest fear is the person cleaning the place will steal stuff, I am bad for leaving money and other things of value just lying around. Once I found $500 under my keyboard I forgot I put under there months previous.

I try to stay on top of it but it seems no matter how much I try I never have enough time to do a clean that I am happy with.

Any thoughts?

[SportsJunky]

We have been lucky. When we bought our current house a couple of years ago, the previous owner's cleaning lady agreed to stay on. She cleans our entire house twice a month at $100 bucks each time. She has only missed one day of work in that time and we trust her with any valuables that might be lying around. She is of eastern european backround and speaks very little english but her work ethic is top notch.

I guess I'd recommend asking people you know in Victoria if they know of anyone. I think personal references go a long way with this kind of thing.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

We have been lucky. When we bought our current house a couple of years ago, the previous owner's cleaning lady agreed to stay on. She cleans our entire house twice a month at $100 bucks each time. She has only missed one day of work in that time and we trust her with any valuables that might be lying around. She is of eastern european backround and speaks very little english but her work ethic is top notch.

I guess I'd recommend asking people you know in Victoria if they know of anyone. I think personal references go a long way with this kind of thing.

What area of the city do you live in?

[SportsJunky]

Bridlewood

[troutman]

In Pentiction, I employed the Sweeping Beauties. They cleaned my condo in bikinis. Sadly, I was at work when they were doing this.

[BuzzardsWife]

I would not consider a cleaning company. They charge out at around 40 an hour and pay the girls 15 of it. You are better off to pay 20-30 an hour for someone on their own, and you'll get a better job done. 2 people together always seem to miss things. My best advice for you, don't pay by the hour. Pay by the job. Example: 100 dollars each cleaning..if you do it once a week you can usually get a better deal if your house is not too huge. Make very clear the first time they are they what you want done, (every time they come). Usually fridges and stoves and laundry are extra. If you don't know someone that can recommend you someone, ask the person for personal references, and CALL them! Most cleaning ladies are NOT in the business to steal your stuff. The few that have made a bad name for all of them. That usually happens in hotels. Trust me, most cleaning ladies make good money and aren't interested in your stuff. And they don't want to ruin their reputation. If you get a good one, treat her good, tip her well at Christmas (the price of a cleaning) and praise her work. Trust me, she'll do an even better job if you make her feel appreciated.

[albertGQ]

What is the protocol when you get one? Can you stay in your house while they clean or do they prefer to do it in an empty house so you're not "monitering" them all the time.

And what if I just want it done as a one time thing? Seems like most here are talking about a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly kind of thing

[BuzzardsWife]

albert, they prefer you not to be home..it's very distracting..and a one time clean is possible, but always more expensive and definately by the hour, because the first time they don't know how long it will take...a small looking job can turn into a really long job

[Locke]

Cash Corner. Dirty jobs done dirt cheap.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Locke

Cash Corner. Dirty jobs done dirt cheap.

Locke's house: Dirty deeds done with sheep.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Locke's house: Dirty deeds done with sheep.

4x4's house: Train tracks aren't considered a form of housing.

[Rathji]

My mom pays her cleaning lady 20 bucks an hour, provides all cleaning materials (Mop, clothes, soap type stuff).

[REDVAN]

I don't pay my cleaning lady anything other than words of praise.

I usually say "thanks mom"

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by BuzzardsWife

I would not consider a cleaning company. They charge out at around 40 an hour and pay the girls 15 of it. You are better off to pay 20-30 an hour for someone on their own, and you'll get a better job done. 2 people together always seem to miss things. My best advice for you, don't pay by the hour. Pay by the job. Example: 100 dollars each cleaning..if you do it once a week you can usually get a better deal if your house is not too huge. Make very clear the first time they are they what you want done, (every time they come). Usually fridges and stoves and laundry are extra. If you don't know someone that can recommend you someone, ask the person for personal references, and CALL them! Most cleaning ladies are NOT in the business to steal your stuff. The few that have made a bad name for all of them. That usually happens in hotels. Trust me, most cleaning ladies make good money and aren't interested in your stuff. And they don't want to ruin their reputation. If you get a good one, treat her good, tip her well at Christmas (the price of a cleaning) and praise her work. Trust me, she'll do an even better job if you make her feel appreciated.

Huge thanks!

Just to be clear I wasn't saying they are going to steal anything, that is just my biggest concern, next to them letting my cats out. Whenever you have a stranger in your home, especially when you are not home it can be a bit weird.

I think I will try and ask around work and see if I can get someone who is doing a co-worker or friends home.

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I don't pay my cleaning lady anything other than words of praise.

I usually say "thanks mom"

I don't have that luxury, and I really don't think it would be worth it.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I don't pay my cleaning lady anything other than words of praise.

I usually say "thanks mom"

That's horribly rude. I at least give your mom an encouraging, open palmed slap on the behind.

[JohnnyB]

I love my cleaning lady. She was recommended to me by another person in my building, and she comes to clean my place just after finishing her apartment downstairs. She comes once a week for two hours, which is ample considering the size of the apartment. I totally trust her, she does a great job and I only pay her about $2.00/hour, though I gave her $15.00 to clean up one day after we had a big party. I have trouble understanding what she says cause she speaks a strange dialect, but she understands me clearly and we get along great. I always look forward to the days she comes.

[bcb]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Huge thanks!

Just to be clear I wasn't saying they are going to steal anything, that is just my biggest concern, next to them letting my cats out. Whenever you have a stranger in your home, especially when you are not home it can be a bit weird.

I think I will try and ask around work and see if I can get someone who is doing a co-worker or friends home.

I don't have that luxury, and I really don't think it would be worth it.

The even bigger concern is locking the cats in the closet by accident.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I love my cleaning lady. She was recommended to me by another person in my building, and she comes to clean my place just after finishing her apartment downstairs. She comes once a week for two hours, which is ample considering the size of the apartment. I totally trust her, she does a great job and I only pay her about $2.00/hour, though I gave her $15.00 to clean up one day after we had a big party. I have trouble understanding what she says cause she speaks a strange dialect, but she understands me clearly and we get along great. I always look forward to the days she comes.

$2 an hour? typo or immigrant?

[flip]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I love my cleaning lady. She was recommended to me by another person in my building, and she comes to clean my place just after finishing her apartment downstairs. She comes once a week for two hours, which is ample considering the size of the apartment. I totally trust her, she does a great job and I only pay her about $2.00/hour, though I gave her $15.00 to clean up one day after we had a big party. I have trouble understanding what she says cause she speaks a strange dialect, but she understands me clearly and we get along great. I always look forward to the days she comes.

Originally Posted by HOOT

$2 an hour? typo or immigrant?

Does my bolded emphasis answer your question. He clearly wrote $2.00, then $15 for clean up after a party. Unless he meant she's a Newfie, they have a strange dialect, but then again wouldn't be worth even $2/hr with their work ethic.

As for my advice, if you start sleeping with her and she doesn't clean, don't pay her. It happened to Seinfeld with hilarious results.

[iggnuef]

maybe JohhnyB's location and his SIG would answer the question