Hiring a cleaner

[yeahokayyythen]

I'm looking into hiring a cleaner, never had one before. Was hoping someone could give me some advice, I was thinking about payment methods does anyone know if they would accept a months payments in advance, I'd find this easier for me so I don't forget or if they prefer cash having to make sure I'm withdrawing each time. Or is it preferred to be paid after each clean?

Do not pay in advance for any service you have not received. Either bank transfer after the clean and get them to email you a receipt or leave cash on the day of for them to take - but get them to sign a receipt book (you can buy one easily in a post office). Getting a receipt/invoice is good practice to avoid any disputes about payment.

Only hire someone recommended and try and be there for the first clean so you can ensure you feel comfortable about them being in your home - and you can show them where everything is and how you prefer things to be done. Personally, I prefer certain products to be used so I pay for someone’s time rather than time plus products. I also prefer them to use my hoover/steam mop.

Remember they are there to clean not tidy so make sure they can get to everything easily. If the cleaners work in a pair expect the hourly rate to be double but that they will complete the job in half the time. I.e my house takes 6 hours to clean, my ladies are £17.50ph so my weekly clean is £105 but it takes 3hrs because there are two of them.

Hope that helps!

I have had various cleaners over the years. The best were always from personal recommendation. The worst, though she was very sweet, was also from a personal recommendation, she seemed to mostly just play with the cat. One was a firm and I set up a direct debit. Another would send me a bill every month and I’d pay. Current cleaner, who was from Facebook, no recommendation, and is brilliant, I just transfer after every clean. Agree with above, get a trial, as much for them as you, don’t pay in advance unless it’s a firm with guarantees ( I prefer knowing who is coming in so tend to use individuals).

I was an idiot with our first one, she was terrible and was always asking for advances / loans. She had replied to a post on Facebook asking for recommendations.

The second we had was better, they had their own company but we never had a regular slot so it drifted off.

So my advice is go with recommendations and get a regular slot sorted. I’m trying to either pin down the second one or find another one now!

My tip would be, when they first start, to be clear about what jobs are essential.
Do a clear walk through the house together and show them exactly what you want done.