Current rate for housecleaning

Log Out | Lost Password? | Topics | Search | Who's Online Contact | Register | My Profile | SO home | MOL home

Thread Originator Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post   Closed: New threads not accepted on this page

Author Message   elh Citizen Username: Elh Post Number: 23 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:41 am:        Hi there, I just wanted to know what people are currently paying for housecleaning -- 4 bedroom, 2 full bath, 2 half bath, finished basement, no laundry, once every two weeks. Many thanks   Kibbegirl Citizen Username: Kibbegirl Post Number: 419 Registered: 5-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 7:17 am:        elh, your house sounds similiar to mine, sans the basement which is just a basement to us. We pay $80 every two weeks. She's wonderful and for the first time ever, we have someone that will actually change the linen on the kids' top bunk! Love her!!!   elh Citizen Username: Elh Post Number: 24 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 11:47 am:        Thank you so much! I have been paying 100 every two weeks but my cleaning lady now wants 20$ more per cleaning. For about a year now, I have not been happy with her work, but I have been too distracted with work, kids etc to provide feedback (my fault, I know) and I know that she really needs the job. Everyone I ask pays between 75 and 100 for the same job. I just don't know what to do. Any constructive suggestions would be appreciated.   Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2804 Registered: 9-2002 Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 12:10 pm:        I just realized that, despite my husband and I getting raises every year at work, we have never increased my housekeeper's salary. We are giving her a much overdue raise. Most employees are more inclined to put in that extra effort if they feel appreciated for it. I also make sure she knows specifically what I am happy with, and what other things I want done or done differently. If you do like her I would see if you can split the difference ($110) and at the same time go over specific things you want to change. Or if you really can't afford it tell her that. If you don't think things can improve just find someone else. I don't think it is fair though to tell her she isn't getting a raise because you don't like how she has been cleaning when you have never given her feedback. I know from myself that any cleaning is better than none, and when you are busy it is easy to let things slide until the point that they really annoy you. But as an employer it is your job to help her improve. Good luck in whatever you decide!   Lizziecat Citizen Username: Lizziecat Post Number: 1110 Registered: 5-2003 Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 12:24 pm:        I pay $80 every other week for two bedrooms and an office, sun room, two and 1/2 bathrooms, livingroom, den, dining room, vestibule and kitchen. I don't ask her to do laundry or make beds, and I pay extra if I ask her to do the third floor or the basement. In addition, I give her the equivalent of two weeks paid vacation every year. We are two adults, no pets, with frequent mess from grandchildrens' visits. My cleaning person is prompt, efficient, English speaking, and drives herself. She always calls meif she needs to change the day or time, and last year, when she went home to Brazil she sent two friends to do the job in her place.   Handygirl Citizen Username: Handygirl Post Number: 612 Registered: 2-2004 Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 1:31 pm:        A 20% increase for someone who isn't meeting your expectations to begin with seems excessive. With that being said, unless her short-comings are obvious (i.e. promptness, no-shows, breaking items) you can't really hold them against her if you haven't pointed them out to her. I would suggest changing cleaning persons and starting fresh. If you don't want to do that, I suggest sitting down with her and laying out the things that you think need to be improved. Tell her that before you increase her pay (I would compromise at $110) insist on a one - two month trial period to see whether she improves in the areas that you discussed with her. (you definitely want the trial period to be more than one visit to give you a chance to really see whether it will work out). If she improves to your satisfaction, pay her $110 per visit.