Cleaner help

[NorthernPowermouse]

I’m thinking about getting a cleaner - I’ve just returned to work full time and I want to spend my weekends with the kids rather than doing housework. But having never had one I’m wondering what’s ‘normal’, for want of a better word, and how much it costs.

We have a four bed house and I’d like the bathrooms (main, en suite and downstairs loo) and kitchen cleaning, and the house dusting and vacuuming. Possibly mopping too. How long would that take (I’m thinking two hours but is that unreasonable? House isn’t massive) and how often should be be doing it - is every fortnight ok?

There’s me, DP and two young kids for an idea of usage/mess. We’re in the north.

And DP does more than his fair share so it’s not a case of getting him to pull his weight, he works all hours and struggles to fit it in too.

Any advice and tips would be appreciated before I start ringing round.

I’m off out for most of the day now so likely won’t be able to post again til later. But thank you to anyone who responds!

Don't worry about 'normal', it's what you and your cleaner agree between you.

Mine comes once a fortnight which is enough for me (tidy single person, small house). She does bathroom, kitchen and living room. £20.

Be clear whether you are paying for time or jobs. What are your expectations if she finishes her agreed tasks early - can she go or does she need to find more to do and if so what?

3 bed 3 bath here. 2 hours every fortnight. €25 in Ireland. Mops Hoovers does bathrooms puts on new bed clothes. Usually does an extra job too like fridge

6 hours a week her at £10 p h
4 bed 2 bath
I literally haven’t been able to manage without a cleaner due to health issues

I am sorry but two hours a fortnight for a four bed three bath house is not enough. Don't do any house work for two weeks then see how long it takes you to do all of that.
If they are a decent cleaner it would be at least 2 hours weekly.

3 bedroom house, not that big - our cleaner comes weekly for 2 hours.

Similar size house here but two bedrooms not used. We have a cleaner 2.5 hours a week and she can do bathroom; toilet; shower room; cloakroom; kitchen cleaning. Dust throughout and then hoover and mop through house. Once every few weeks she does an extra hour for windows etc.
Depends what you want to do in between; with the above I still have to do dishes every day; wipe down bathrooms/kitchen and general bits but it’s so nice having the big jobs done.
If you can afford once a week I’d do that..the cleaner will probably take longer for the first few weeks but then get into their own routine.
As posters above say I’d be tempted with a new cleaner to agree a price for the work done rather than hourly rate.

It seems manageable within two hours, but only if you’re on top off it weekly. Definitely speak to a cleaner you like and ask what they think would be possible. FB recommendations tend to be good.

Thanks all. Good idea to negotiate price for jobs not time. Two hours a week should be doable. I’ll ask for recommendations and start contacting some.

Ours does 2 hours, but it's 2 cleaners so really it's 4 hours. Costs us £50. Best money we spend!

They come once a fortnight which is more than enough. I'm a slattern and don't do anything in between except clean the bathrooms every other day (and the kitchen daily as we go).