To want a cleaner for a 2 bed flat when I don't work?

[chaser90210]

Me, DH and dd live in a small 2 bed flat and I am also pregnant again which is why I chose to not go back to work after mat leave with dd1. After all basic chores are done, dog walked, all needs catered to for dd (8mo) I am shattered and have no time for myself let alone doing a deep clean of the sodding bathroom.
How much do you think a cleaner would charge for a place like ours? Would they think I'm bloody lazy?

If you can afford it go for it!

They wouldn’t think you’re lazy, they’d be glad of the work. Usually you’re looking at £10-£15 an hour, minimum 2 hours. You could get someone once a fortnight. I miss our cleaner.

I hate cleaning and if I could afford it would definitely have one.

Yanbu
We did exactly this as we preferred to spend our free time with our dc rather than cleaning

What the cleaner thinks is utterly irrelevant. If people didn't pay them to clean their houses, they wouldn't have a job! If you can afford it, do it. I used to have cleaners in once a month for my tiny house, so they did the deep cleaning that I never got round to. It was wonderful!

Depends if you can afford it

I'm a cleaner and charge £10 per hour, so for a deep clean it shouldn't take longer than 2 to 3 hours at the most.
Most of my clients don't work full time, they just don't want to clean on their day off.
I don't have time to think in a 'judgy' way. As long as junk is moved out of the way and there aren't any nasty surprises lying around, then I can get on with the job

The question is whether you as a family can afford it. Can you?

As long as the staff who do the actual work are well paid and they are treated well, I cannot see a problem.

Well that is the question. Depends on frequency I guess. Like pp said I could do a once a month so that i never have to do a deep clean just keep on top of it all daily which would be fine.

I'd say probably 2 hours a week or 3 hours a fortnight for small two bed flat. Somewhere between £10-15 and hour. So potentially as little as £30 every 2 weeks, or as much as £30 per week.

A cleaner won't think you're lazy (and would it even matter if they did?!). I am a bit concerned that if you're struggling now with just one baby (who at 8 months presumably isn't that mobile yet?), how you will cope once you have a new born and toddler. Sorry for stating the obvious!! Definitely try getting help in place now before the new baby arrives. 'Help' doesn't have to just mean cleaner. My cleaner is more like a mothers help and does a bit of cleaning, ironing, cooking meals or childcare.

I agree that once a month isn’t enough really. 2 hours once a fortnight is great though.

I've had a cleaner since having my son 6 months ago as I just can't seem to get it all done by myself anymore plus my cleaner had been a godsend she's seems to go above and beyond for me and we've became friends too as she's roughly the same age as me and has young DCs too. If you can afford it go for it!

Thanks for all your input. I've never had one before so no idea on how long or how often it's likely to take will have a chat with DH and see what he thinks, but tbh it all gets left to me anyway

I did. I still had to pick up (didn't take long, until DC we didn't have many possessions!) and I didn't leave washing up or anything for her as it was a bit of a waste of her time. I paid £10 an hour for 3 hours a week (in London) and it made a huge difference (two bed flat also).

The firm I used had a three hour minimum but would do ironing to make up the time if needed. Towards the end of my pregnancy this was a godsend as it was a blazing hot summer and I couldn't even iron sitting down as I got too hot!

It really made a difference to my life. If you can afford it, go for it.

Definitely get a cleaner if you can afford one

We have a cleaner who comes every other week to do a nice deep clean, she charges us £45 a time.

I have a 12 month old and am 34 weeks pregnant, but even so, I hate cleaning, and as long as we can afford it will always use a cleaner.

I don't think it's lazy at all, not only are you providing someone with work which can only been seen as a good thing, this is your life. If you would rather pay someone to clean than do it yourself, why not!

I had a cleaner for my tiny 2 bed house when I lived on my own - I was very busy (demanding job and hobby) and I hate housework at the best of times. I had 2 hours a week which at the time cost £16 (£8p/h).

I now live with DH and have 3 hours a week for a 3/4 bed house, cost £10 p/h.

I'd still have a cleaner if I could afford it for a studio flat. It is lovely coming home to a clean house!