How can I word this?!

[ExJasper]

I had a new cleaner start on Friday. I was here when she arrived but went to work so not at home for most of her time here.

I was really disappointed when I got home - I honestly couldn't see what she'd done bar hoover the stairs. She's messaged today asking if everything was ok - how do I diplomatically say that, no, it isn't, not really.

Perhaps say it was not clear what she had done, could she detail for you what was done and then you scan assess.

For example, she may ah e down hidden jobs.

*have done

I would say that you weren't quite sure if everything had been done that you wanted done (apologise and say you meant to leave a list) and that you'll leave a list for each room for the first few weeks till she knows the routine maybe? And then you can see if you've allowed enough time

I would say to her on the phone that you would like her to come round and you walk through what needs to be done as you were not clear enough last time.

Then when she comes next time you detail exactly what you want done.

Thanks for your replies. We did meet before she started so she could see the house and so we could talk about her expectations and mine.

But I think you're right, I maybe need to be a bit more explicit. I know she's new and won't have got the measure of the house yet, but I'm actually paying her more per hour than I get myself! So I need someone who I can not feel guilty spending the money on.

Thanks again.

I was in a similar situation.
First cleaner the agency sent us spent the whole 2 hours cleaning the kitchen sink even though I had asked for a house blitz. The sink wasn't even thay dirty, it's a one year old new build! The next week she came, she managed to clean 3 rooms. She told me expecting more wasn't reasonable. I asked the agency for a replacement and the next woman was fab; blitzed through the whole house. She comes once a week and is a God Send.

@MissingTheMoonlight where do you live - I'll have her! I've avoided agencies for some reason, maybe I should rethink.

@ExJasper The agency is a couple of quid more an hour but it means I didn't feel awkward about asking for a different cleaner; that kind of face to face conversation is my idea of hell.

@MissingTheMoonlight do the agency staff have to follow a set cleaning routine laid out for them by the agency? I want someone who won't necessarily do the same routine every week but who will clean like it's their own house.

Lots of good advice here.

I would ring her back and say that you ought to have left a list, when she comes next you’ll get her to walk you through what she did/has time to do, and then you’ll leave her with a list this week. As part of that conversation you can be clear on standards.

If there’s no improvement, get someone else. Agency or recommendation. It’s a job and it needs to be done properly.

@ExJasper They emailed us a template that we could fill in (list of things for each room and you tick what you want e.g. hoover, wipe surfaces, polish furniture). You can change the list each week. We don't use the list anymore as our cleaner knows what to do now.

If this was the first clean in all likelihood she would have focused on a few specific areas and not whole house. We’ve always found if starting with a cleaner after it’s been a while that the first couple cleans play catch up a bit. Obviously if this is a “change” of cleaners as opposed to cleaning help for the first time in a while then this doesn’t apply.

Thanks for further replies.

It is a change of cleaners, yes. My last one was amazing but sadly moved countries (I don't think it was anything I said ). There's only been a 3 week gap during which time I've been keeping on top of things.