First off I know rates of service are different in all parts of the country but I am curious what you pay for housecleaning, where are you located, the size of your house , frequency of cleanings and anything your cleaner does that is more than the norm. My house is 3 bedrooms 1 1/2 bath. 1600 square feet. Not cluttered, just toys in the basement. The cleaner vacuums and mops the floors,tub, toilets, surface wipes, cleans fixtures, vacuums furniture, pulls out furniture to vacuum, general tidy, take out trash. My sister says I'm paying too much and should be getting the sliding glass door and front door Wiped and linen changes also. I pay 135 bi weekly and am in upstate NY
Thank you
Thank you all for your responses. It was interesting to see all the different pricing. I use a company. Not a national chain but it a a two- man crew that comes in. I have no idea how long they are there because I am at work. I choose them because they cleaned my rental house when we moved out and did a fantastic job. I did have a cleaning woman from Craigslist come once in my old house and she charged me 150 on a two bedroom and I wasn't impressed so I guess that's why I stay away from that route. I think I will keep the company I have a just tell them to wipe down the doors. I usually do this all the time but I just want everything sparkle when I get home. It's all hard work and I am glad it is something I can afford to do at this point in my life. Its a blessing to know no matter what state the house gets in it never too far from a deep clean.
Sounds about right to me. We paid $75 per visit for 1200 square feet for the same services. No one every changes my sheets or wipes my windows but me!
I live in Houston. I pay my lady $80 a week. My house is 3100 sf, 4 bedrooms, 31/2 baths. She mops, vacuums, dusts, polishes, washes lines and clothes, folds the clothes and puts them up, changes the beds, cleans my frig and pantry, all the bathrooms, trash. You name it she does it.
I'm in upstate NY (Rochester), and although I don't get this done, I have inquired. It seems the going rate is between $15 and $30/hr for someone to come, and that's for one person (not from a company) to come and clean. If it is a company, it is way more. The one person I have considered going with cleans whatever you want her to -- microwaves, fridges, starts laundry when she gets there, and finishes when she leaves, and she changes sheets, etc. (Of course, with three kids and messes everywhere, I don't even think she could get that done in a day, but anyways). Hope that helps. I don't think you are paying too much -- depends on the hours, to me. If you want those few things done, ask!
If you are happy with their work, and you trust them I would keep them. Yes, you may be able to find someone cheaper, there's always someone willing to go cheaper. But that doesn't mean you'll get the same quality work. That also leaves you up to a new person/people in your home, knowing personal things about your family and having access to your things, especially since you aren't home. I live in Ohio, and used to clean homes for a living. A home like yours without seeing first I may throw a $100 estimate. And then the actual price may increase or decrease once I am in your home. Keep in mind the cost of cleaning supplies. I'm pretty sure cost of living is cheaper here so I think you're getting a fair rate.
yes sounds like alot but if its a cleaning service or company they do over charge. Look for a private cleaning lady much cheaper maybe $ 80
135 is a lot. If I were you, I'd begin interviewing new cleaning people. Put an ad on Craigslist with what you are looking for and how much you are willing to pay. I guarantee you that in this economy, you can probably get someone to do it for 1/2 of what you are paying now.
I live in the chicagoland area. I pay $25 an hour. The girl is here for about 6 hours. She cleans 2 full bathrooms (mirrors, toilets, shower/tub, sink and floors) 1 half bath (toilet, sink, mirror and floor) she vacuums the 4 bedrooms and makes my bed with clean sheets (I let the kids do their own sheets) vacuums the hallway and stairs thats all on the second floor. on the first floor she does the kitchen (wipe down all appliances cleans stove really good and sink and microwave. she sweeps and mops. then in the living room, dining room and entryway she dusts and sweeps and mops. she also takes out the trash on her way out. I don't think your paying too much it sounds like she does a lot. my lady does not pull out furniture except the chairs under the tables unless I ask and then I help with it.
My mother does this for a living in NJ. Her hourly rate is $50 to $60 depending on the state of the house. If there is lots of clutter, then it is more as the work is harder to deal with. There are houses she does every week, every other week, and once a month. The rate is the same. After the 2nd or 3rd time she give a flat rate for them based on the average time spent. There are 2 houses that she will change linens in, but one is a handicaped man, and the other treats her so well (often over pays, sends little gifts for my girls, things like that, and is a wonderful woman in general) that Mom doesnt mind at all. So for my opinion I would need to know how long she is there for. BUT my mother does do the floors, bathrooms, dusting, vac (of course), kitchen counters, stove, cabinets get wiped down, so does fridge (unless it looks like mine with things covering all but the back!). She will move furniture when asked, or every 6ish months. She does NOT do dishes left in sink, MIGHT change the laundry, but she brings her own rags, and will use the cleaning supplies you like or recommend what she has found works best. If your vac breaks she will bring hers, and if you need take yours to be fixed (your cost of course) and bring it back.
In our area it's commonly $65 per hour from a private maid or team, what is "done" is negotiable. When I have $150-$300 a month to spare, again, I'm getting my favorite private co to do my house every other week. It takes her and her helpers an hour to 2 hours on average. I'm shooting for 'keeping things up' enough for it to be done in an hour. Which means, probably 1.5 hours.
A group rate (like MerryMaids) estimated my 1200 foot space at $225-325 per visit depending on any "extras" I wanted done
Cannot tell anything about the price but the linens should be changed and the doors wiped, I agree with your sister. Also the laundry and the dishes.
Hi - I have 1800 sq feet and she cleans 2 full bathrooms. Does not move furniture, or clean fixtures. I pay $65 bi-weekly. I used to use a service and it was a bit higher.
I think you are. I have 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and I am paying $75.00 weekly. When I was bi weekly it was 85.00 each time. They do not do sheets or laundry. They would do it but I am fussy with my wash so I prefer to do it. I would get other quotes.
Hey Neighbor!
We pay our housekeeper (literally 10 miles from where you live) $20 per hour. She does everything you have listed (including our storm door), changes the beds and does whatever laundry is in the hamper at the time. She is at our house for 4 hours (on average)- sometimes we have her come twice a week depending on whether or not we are having company.
Anyway, figure out what yo uare paying her hourly. If it's more than $20 per hour then yes, you are over-paying her. Your other option is to continue with that rate and increase her "to do" list while she's there!
PM me if you want more info on our housekeeper... I LOVE HER!
When I have house cleaning services, I pay $95 every week - I have 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths and 3K square feet...I'm in Washington, D.C.
they dust, vacuum, mop, do the baseboards, kitchen, bathrooms, trash, make beds - if they weren't already made, and wipe down doors and windows..
The highest I've paid for the service was $135 and they did a little bit more.
3 Bedroom, two bath, 1750 square feet: $115/visit, twice per month. They do pretty much everything but not laundry or bedding. They are there around two hours. They do most windows but the slider to the back where my very big dog watches them.
Gift for myself for getting approximately a 50% raise with the new job. My days are too long and technical to worry about that stuff all the time. My daughter and do things daily to keep up with it.
Tonight I was able to come home to their magic!! Yippee!
We pay $75.00 a week for a 4000 sq ft home in the Pacific NW.
ETA: Our HK puts cleans sheets on our bed every week and wipes finger prints/nose prints (from the dog) off the windows/glass doors.
I pay 90 a week for 6 hours of work, 15$ an hour. I'm in a suburb of Chicago. My house is 5000 square feet. She does change the sheets. It's just a dent in the work! She rotates what she cleans. Dang, I wish she came everyday.
We pay $75/week. 2500 sq ft, 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 story. They clean EVERYTHING - baseboards, ceiling fans, chandeliers, fireplaces, windows (not all of that every time - they rotate through those extras about once per month) plus all the usual stuff. Frankly, I think I am underpaying for what I get. I don't have them change my linens or deal with any laundry, though.
I live in Texas, in a 2400sf home-2story, 4 bedrooms & pay $80 per cleaning. We have her come once a month but it would be the same price if I had her come every week. I usually tidy up & put things where they belong and she (and usually her sister) do the deep cleaning. Vacuum, mop, counter tops, mirrors, dishes, toilets, tubs, wipe fridge, and yes she does put fresh linens on the beds. She also washes & replaces my bath mats, and will fold the towels I wash the night before she comes. Since she uses my cleaning rags, she starts the washer with the rags she uses and I dry them when they are done. I think she cleans the windows--actually I'm not sure. They don't get dirty because we have blinds on them so they never get touched. I'm sure she cleans the front door window though because that one does get hand prints on it and it's clean. She's awesome :)
Sounds reasonable to me. We have a 3 bed, 2 1/2 bath home with living, dining, family, and kitchen. I pay $100 for 3 hours of cleaning every other week and they can usually get all of that done with some extra time to spare for little extras. I have a basement but they don't touch it unless I ask them to clean the bathroom down there (doesn't get used much). She doesn't do any laundry or linens, just makes the beds. She does my sliding and front door because I have kids. I think that is reasonable to ask but linens would take a bit more time.
