That I shouldn’t have paid cleaner for four full hours

[Bizawit]

I have recently had a baby. I’m a single mum and in need of help, so I hired a cleaner through a friend’s recommendation.

I originally asked for 3 hours every 2 weeks. After coming once, she insisted it was not possible to fully clean my flat in 3 hours and she needed 4. I said ok.

The next time she came, after about 3 hours and 40/45 minutes, she announced she was done, and was leaving. I was surprised that she still charged me for the full four hours.

My bf says that’s fair because it’s a charge for every hour started. I think she was being a CF and she should have either stayed the full 4 hours as agreed, or expect to be paid less. AIBU?

You are being a bit ridiculous for ten minutes! Is she doing what you need to be done? Is the quality good? If so then yes YABU

I think if she did 3hr 45 you need to pay for the four hours as she’s paid in complete hours.

However, what are you asking her to do? I Four hours to clean is a long time - I can probably do my whole house in around 2! (Maybe this says something about me but I’m thinking all the basics - change beds and put in wash, dust, Hoover, clean bathroom and kitchen and mop - a weekly clean not a deep clean)

You're quibbling 15 minutes?

I think you're being very U. It took longer than the 3, by 45 minutes. Your dp is right.

She should do the full 4 hours

Next time just say “oh, you’re still on until 2pm. Do you mind just giving the blinds a wipe / cleaning the oven / emptying the dishwasher?”

How mean can you get

Good grief.

I can’t believe you are so tight.

I'd see if she does it again in the next couple of visits, and if so then tell her you'd like to go back to the original three hours, and you'll do the rest yourself.

Ask her to clean as much as she can in 3 hours.

If I'm working a four hour shift and being paid for a four hour shift, I work four hours. Of course you're not being unreasonable.

I'm with you. You are paying by the hour! So if she's done in less time I'd find her something else to do even if it's ironing, putting away washing etc.

I don't think you are being tight. If you've paid for four hours she should work for four hours. Although I'd question exactly what's she's doing to take so long.
I live in a four bed house with 3 loos, two bathrooms and two living room and my cleaner gets it all cleaned in 3.5-4 hours.

4 hours for a flat? How big is your flat, what is she doing?

You're absolutely not being tight, if you've paid for four hours I would be expecting that.

Seriously? She did three quarters of the hour and you're not happy with paying her for the whole hour?

How much are you paying per hour?

Is she good? Does she clean to a good standard?

If so then YABU.

Dont be bloody ridiculous. Pay the woman for 4 hours without whinging. 15 minutes off is neither here nor there. If she does it again then you could ask her to do something extra third time to make up for it. Even so I'd let it go.

I’m with you OP, YANBU
If you’ve paid for 4 hours she should work those 4 full hours.

I can’t just pack up my desk 15 minutes before I finish work and go home

I'm with you OP. She was looking for extra hours and extra pay so insisted she couldn't do it in 3 but sloped off earlier than 4. People on MN think cleaners are a special case who, because they're cleaning for us, deserve some kind of pity pay. Sod that! Everyone in my team gets paid for the hours they do and if someone was doing 20 or 15 minutes less every week then someone would have a word! I don't pay anyone for work they haven't done.

Had she done everything she was meant to do?

I think you're being petty, how much would a deduction for the remaining 15 minutes really make to you? It's 15 minutes, she still did three quarters of the fourth hour but if it means that much to you then next day ask her to do something else with the remaining time.

She worked for more of the 4th hour than not so the CF is you.
Pay her and stop moaning over 15 minutes or do it yourself.

Lol ok fair enough. Just to clarify I didn’t quibble and I did pay the full 4 hours- I was just interested to see what others thought, as it kind of put me off her. I just thought she was rather cheeky to leave 15 minutes early, only the second time she came, after insisting on 4 hours. I’m wondering if I can fully trust her as I don’t really know her yet.

How big is your flat? I'm a cleaner and in four hours I clean 18 rooms wipe down everything, clean glass, hoover and empty bins., sports hall, dinner hall and clean 8 toilets. If she is coming every two weeks she should of bottomed everything the first time then reduce hours not add more

@gamerchick I’m also skeptical why she needs 4 hours to clean a flat! It’s not particularly big: 2 beds, 2 small bathrooms, tiny kitchen and a living room..

How is it taking the piss to expect that someone works for the time you’re paying them....?

@theunperfectparent huh that’s good to know!