to be furious with cleaners

[roseblush]

Moved house today. Wanted to leave house nice and clean for buyer but end of tenancy quotes I got were extortionate. So just booked 2 cleaners for 3 hours (usually have 1 cleaner for 2.5 hours) fully accepting it wouldn't be as high a standard as end of tenancy.
house was almost cleared out, most rooms including bathroom empty. Cleaners arrived, said it was too much for the time, I said just do what you can. They then proceeded to spend best part of an hour outside on the phone to their office. Removals arrived to get final items and they then left saying they had another job to go to despite the fact there was still 1.5 hours left on my 'clean'
I had to rush around trying to clean as best I could and feel embarrassed it's not as clean as I intended for my buyers.
AiBU to be furious the cleaners wouldn't just clean for the 3 hours I booked?

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

If you saw them on their phones you should have said something. Had you already paid? Demand a refund/ slate them on social media if they refuse

[Cherrysoup]

Obviously don’t pay them a penny. Is it some ginormous mansion? 2 people and 3 hours should mean a sparkling property, particularly as it’s empty. YANBU.

[roseblush]

I phoned the office myself when I saw them on their phones and was initially told they would get them to do it. When they left they said they would try and find someone else but obviously it was last minute...then heard nothing further. I'm assuming we haven't been charged but need to check. I have sent a strongly worded email complaint.
It's a 4 bed town house, small bedrooms though, one en suite, bathroom, kitchen/diner and living room. Floors needed a good hoover/mop and kitchen cupboards, wasn't particularly dirty though.

[ExtraFox19]

At least you care. The house I bought recently was left filthy for me and I’m still struggling with it.

[AntiHop]

So they should have had 6 hours between them? That's plenty to clean your house.

[MrsMozartMkII]

At least your cleaners turned up. Mine didn't and due to things outside my control the house was nothing like I'd have expected to leave it.

Sorry, that doesn't really help you. Definitely get your money back if the payment has gone through.

[LittleLongDog]

That’s so shit. Make sure you write a review so others will know.

Side note: MN have snuck a link into your OP!

[Cheby]

That is terrible service. Even if they hadn’t finished, they should have both cleaned for the full 3 hours each and done as much as they can.

I think in terms of fixing it, a nice option would be for the company to offer your buyers a whole house clean for free. And obviously you don’t pay for their failed attempt at cleaning.

[anon812]

Agree with Cheby. Get the company to offer the new owners a free full house clean.

Where is the link?

[OKBobble]

I hope you didn't prepay

[sausages75]

Did you book them for a certain time though & it wasn't ready to start ?

[sausages75]

Sorry re read it. I don't understand why they couldn't just make a start in the empty places. Were you clear you didn't expect it all done etc

[roseblush]

Very very clear @sausages75. There was an overlap with the removals but when I asked why they couldn't work in the empty rooms they couldn't give me an answer.

That's what I've suggested @Cheby

[LittleLongDog]

The word h oover @anon812

[anon812]

@LittleLongDog I can't click but how naughty 🙊

[sausages75]

Really weird I am a professional cleaner & would of just got stuck in.

[Polyjuice]

I’m not sure you were being fair OP. An “end of tenancy clean” of an empty home is always priced higher than a regular clean as when furniture is removed there are large clods of fluff etc and dusty skirtings etc. And to be fair on them they had no way of knowing you wouldn’t - having just told them to do what they could in the time - then say it was unacceptable and expect more. Maybe you didn’t realise but I think however inadvertent you were actually unreasonable to expect this type of clean without being upfront.

[CharlieBoo]

I run a cleaning business and although what happened is entirely unprofessional it is frustrating when people want an end of tenancy clean (property empty) but don’t want to pay the price... they say just do what you can in your normal time. End of tennsncy cleans are usually much more work, incredibly dusty and dirty woodwork, floors take ages to hoover from all the furniture being moved ... I very much doubt you’ve been charged though ...

[TheZeppo]

I agree with Polyjuice

[Oliversmumsarmy]

But from my understanding they didn't clean any thing. Just chatted on their phone and left

[Cheby]

@CharlieBoo but she booked more than double the normal time. And while I can see why hoovering will take longer, surely it’s made easier by the fact that there is nothing in the way at all?

[breakfastpizza]

My friend does end of tenancy cleans for £300 and it's usually a full 8 hour day.

[1300cakes]

But charlieboo why can't they just do what they can in their time? If that ends up being one room or whatever so be it. OPs cleaners didn't even get started and left 1.5 hours early.

[1300cakes]

OP already said she knew it wouldn't be to the standard of an "end of tenancy clean" and was fine with that.

[CharlieBoo]

@roseblush did you request a 6 hour clean? So 2 x cleaners there for 3 hours each or a 3 hour clean where 2x cleaners were there 1.5 hours each? You said cleaners were there 1 hour outside so you had 1.5 hours left in your clean.. that sounds like you’ve booked a 3 hour clean and they’ve sent 2 girls for 1.5 hours each...

It can be easier when there’s nothing there yes but an end of tenancy includes all woodwork, windows, pvc of windows, deep clean of bathrooms and kitchen including inside of cupboards, there’s a lot of work and op lives in a 4 bed town house so 3 floors... if you booked 6 hours then yanbu but afraid 3 hours wouldn’t touch it