Struggling With Housework

[tiggerblue10]

Can't remember if I've asked this before but does anyone have a cleaner?

I'm seriously considering getting a cleaner to come and just do dusting, vacuuming and the bathroom, downstairs toilet etc., as I'm really struggling.

I work full time and go into the office 2 days per week, Tuesday and Wednesday. I have to do the school runs with little Tigs so do short office days and carry on working when I get home.....its quite a long day! The rest of my working week is busy and my workload can vary but at the moment it's quite heavy and will get worse next week as I have end of month audits and assurance to do and manage a uniform contract (frontend and backend) for over 2,000 staff around the UK.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I'm tired and exhausted and need help! I have a pile of washing in the kitchen that needs doing but I can't get my @ss in gear at the minute :o(

If you do have a cleaner, how often do they come round and what's the going rate? I don't think I can afford it every week or fortnight but once a month might be helpful just to do the things I mentioned above.

[barry1010]

Around £15 an hour in my area, very much depends where you live

[tiggerblue10]

I'm in Surrey so it's probably gonna be higher than that, Barry.

[ladybirder]

I have a cleaner who charges only £12.00 an hour which for Hove is amazing. She could charge £20-£25 no bother. I told her she should charge more so she's upping to, I think, £14.50 in 2023.

[calmck]

Probably spoilt here as we pay euro 7.50 an hour. I have someone in once a week for 3 to change sheets, 4 sets, general clean and hoover the house. Once a month different lady comes for 6 hours for windows and thorough dust. Daughter and two grandkids are living here at the moment so I do the laundry, two loads twice a week line dried minimal ironing

[tiggerblue10]

That's good Calmck.

Anyway, I've had two coffees so must start dishes now! Arrgghh

[ladybirder]

Tigger, I think the best thing to do is to ask friends in your area about their cleaner. That's how I got mine. Can't beat a good recommendation.

[pastafreak]

I just looked locally out of curiosity. First I saw was an agency...national possibly. Once a fortnight is 17.50 ph. That seems expensive.
Another local stated £9-11ph

[Meaghan27]

£9 per hour is not even minimum wage, I would steer clear of agencies charging that much as their workers will be on much less.

Considering how much a good cleaner can get through in an hour I think no less than £15 per hour or £12.50 per hour for 2 hours. It takes as much fuel or bus fare to come to do one hour as two.

[jno]

Surrey could be expensive - perhaps you could buy a garage in the Midlands and get them to clean that ....

Seriously: first stop should probably be to ask friends locally for advice and an idea of prices; personal recommendations are good. Is there a local website/FB page you could have a look at?

[pastafreak]

Good thinking Meaghan...I'd forgotten about the minimum wage.

[tiggerblue10]

Dishes etc., done, bins emptied, so kitchen looks half decent now!

I asked some colleagues and one (my senior manager with the 2 kittens) said she and hubby pay £20ph for 4 hours, fortnightly. Their joint income is probably treble mine so can afford it. I could maybe once every other month for a thorough clean. And by thorough, I don't mean deep clean.

[ladybirder]

Minimum wage doesn't apply to cash in hand. They don't pay tax on it.

[Peter Pedant]

yes I do
for thirty years
no not the same one
very variable
cash only
I do task and go ( for £30) once a week ( one person, one bedroom) - living room and kitchen, the other rooms are hardly used
a german fren has one three times a week - eek ! blimey
my brother pays £90 - difft part of the country - darzet aaarh ! four beds, once a week
my brother in law once a month deep clean, inc skirting boards ! £90 ( wales) ( one person only)
must be cash, on the nail
I have mine in during my holidays because christ they need the loo-loo

[Peter Pedant]

i reckon mine is thro in an hour...so over min wage

[Peter Pedant]

LB I am sure mine does ( pay tax) hem hem
( attack of vapours that anyone should suggest a black economy-
heavens, more vapours , hot flushes etc) phew
PP rendered an overbreathing mass like a standard ABer in a spazzie at this very suggestion

[Peter Pedant]

I asked a neighbour who could clean - and she said she would
another 20 y ago said her mother would !

[Hopkirk]

If you get a cleaner, you will find yourself cleaning and tidying before he (or she) comes.

[tiggerblue10]

Update..........my sis in law popped round today with nephew and I was telling her about my cleaning predicament. She said she loves housework and that she can come and help with vacuuming and dusting once every 2 months. Suits me fine and she doesn't want paying so I'll just do some food.

[Tilly2]

Once every two months?

[Hopkirk]

Should have taken my hint and got yourself a male cleaner.