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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get someone in to do a big clean?

30 replies

MichaelFinnigan · 19/02/2014 16:17

I'm weeks away from final exams for a masters. I've just finished an end of year assignment that took every spare moment in the last four weeks. I work full time. I've got two small children

Dh has been ill for a fortnight. He's done ok keeping the kids amused and bunging on the odd load of washing

Our house is in a shocking state

I can either take three days off work to do it myself or try to hire someone.

I'm being perfectly reasonable aren't I?

OP posts:
HazeltheMcWitch · 19/02/2014 16:18

Of course you're being reasonable.
As long as it's affordable, why ever not?

SantanaLopez · 19/02/2014 16:18

Totally reasonable.

Icelollycraving · 19/02/2014 16:20

Why wouldn't you?! Money well spent.

DurhamDurham · 19/02/2014 16:20

If you can afford it you should get someone in, it will make such a difference to you all so money well spent imo.

Once it is done you can buy a lovely bunch of Thanks to make it look even nicer.

BumpNGrind · 19/02/2014 16:21

Yes its reasonable as long as its paid for by both of you and not just you. Go for it

Original poster
MichaelFinnigan · 19/02/2014 16:21

Because it's not [wails] we're skint. But I'd rather spend £ on this than food and petrol and bills and stuff

We can eat jacket potatoes for a week or two can't we?

How much do we think it'd be?

And i'd have to tidy up first :(

OP posts:
lazyhound444 · 19/02/2014 16:27

If you can't afford it, then YABU. If you can afford it then YANBU.

I've been in this situation and the initial task seems insurmountable but when you break it down into "chunks" it's not so bad. Ultimately it's your call but I think you'll be annoyed at spending the money and the result might not be that fantastic. Also, when it gets minging again you'll be really resentful at spending all that dosh on something you could have done yourself for nothing.

petal2008 · 19/02/2014 16:28

I think you are nuts if you cannot afford it. Just take a couple of days off and clean up the worst rooms. Bathroom and kitchen for a start.

stealthsquiggle · 19/02/2014 16:30

Would you lose income by taking the time off to do it?

canyourearme · 19/02/2014 16:32

I'm torn. It would be a no brainer if you had the cash. Will you get paid if your off?

canyourearme · 19/02/2014 16:33

Mine is a complete tip too, very tempted to get a cleaner in if i cant sort it this week, am broke too.

Doingakatereddy · 19/02/2014 16:33

I was all for saying YANBU, then I saw you can't afford it... Noo no. Afraid it's a YABU from me.

Kitchen, bathroom, laundry - that's where you start & just lick & a promise the rest until you're not do busy

HettiePetal · 19/02/2014 16:34

It's not unreasonable to get a cleaner in - IF you can afford it. You can't right now. It's very, very unreasonable to spend food money on anything other than food IMO.

Original poster
MichaelFinnigan · 19/02/2014 16:36

No I'd have to take annual leave, two of the four days I've got left for the whole year that aren't being used up on school holidays

Dh has already got all his leave booked for the rest

We could stretch to £50 I think

I just need to get on top of it again, I can't concentrate on studying when it's a mess

I can't afford the time it needs to sort out. I need to study

And dh does plenty but he works shifts and the bulk of Childcare falls to him

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 19/02/2014 16:37

This is a very good idea. It is worth cutting back a bit on other things to afford this as a one off if it will help you in the long run because of your exams and so on. I'd say go for it.

brainwashed · 19/02/2014 16:40

What would the cost be of failing your exams? Might mean that it is worth spending money on. Either that or live with it til after exams assuming you can find a tidy corner to study in and ignore mess?

canyourearme · 19/02/2014 16:40

Just do it i reckon.

scantilymad · 19/02/2014 16:48

I would say if you can't afford it then YABU. Around here (SW) most cleaners will only do a deep clean if you book them for 6 hours or more (so £60 plus) and a few want at least 8 hours. If you are saying you need three days to take off to deal with the house then the cost of a cleaner will be huge.

I sympathise with the studying/family balance but remember the exams will be over soon and you can focus on the house then.

Plus, if you hire a cleaner now, won't it all just be back to the same state again if you have to cram for the next few weeks?

Try and focus on one small area - like cleaning the bathroom sink or loo and do that. Fifteen minutes cleaning a day maybe to cover the absolute basics.

Its a juggling act but unless you can afford the initial clean and maintain it afterwards I can't see how the house will stay clean before your exams anyway.

TooSweetToBeWholesome · 20/02/2014 04:24

Go

TooSweetToBeWholesome · 20/02/2014 04:27

Go for it. They will accomplish more than you will in less time. Even if you can manage time to put some things away or concentrate on laundry, they can do a fast, efficient job of actual cleaning. This will cut down the cost to you.

ParsleyTheLioness · 20/02/2014 04:37

I would say do it. Consider it an investment in your MA and your sanity. You need your leave to use properly, for nice things (and unexpected) ideally.

lollylaughs · 20/02/2014 05:46

You could spend 20 minutes each day to do a particular area. Obviously the kitchen, bathroom etc first, then the rest as you can. I would be very hesitant to book 2 days when you only have 4 left to use the time cleaning.

As mentioned, you could get someone in to help you, but it wont be long before its back to the way it is now if you don't have a proper system in place. Then keep the 50 pounds for celebrating after your final Wink

IsitwrongtofancyHarryStyles · 20/02/2014 08:16

I've done it twice and both times I was really disappointed - it was largely a waste of money (over £100).

If you do do it, get someone you know personally to recommend their own cleaner. Talk to the cleaner and see if they're interested then write a list of only six or seven big jobs to do, not stuff you can do yourself on a weekly basis. If you expect them to do too much it won't be done thoroughly enough.

DescribeTheRuckus · 20/02/2014 08:23

We have a regular cleaner we stretch to afford, and it is totally worth the stretch! DH is full time, and great about doing stuff around the house, but there just isn't enough time in the day, really. I'm a full time PhD student, so I try to work at home at least one day a week to keep on top of the tidying, but the cleaner does the bathrooms/mops floors, hoovers and dust, which are the things that seem to really slide when every one is busy.

Do it. Work out a way to afford it. Then all you have to do is keep it tidy while you are studying. Good luck!!

PicaK · 20/02/2014 09:03

How much is dirt/dust and how much is mess?

If you have to tidy anyway will it look so bad?

Are you exhausted? Sounds like there's been no break or time off for either of you. Would the money have a greater return if you book ababysitter and go out with your DH?

Doesn't tackle the mess but it may not seem so overwhelming if you've cranked up your emotional energy. The do-a-bit at a time advice (which is good) may seem more achievable.

But don't go into debt. You know if one of my mates said "i've got into a real state, would you come as a one off and help me blitz. I'll babysit in the summer in return." i'd be there like a shot and not feel used. (And I hate housework.)